The Birth House: A Novel (P.S.) [Bargain Price] [Paperback]

Ami McKay (Author)

Book Description

Release date: October 9, 2007 | Series: P.S.

An arresting portrait of the struggles that women faced for control of their own bodies, The Birth House is the story of Dora Rare—the first daughter in five generations of Rares.

As apprentice to the outspoken Acadian midwife Miss Babineau, Dora learns to assist the women of an isolated Nova Scotian village through infertility, difficult labors, breech births, unwanted pregnancies, and unfulfilling sex lives. During the turbulent World War I era, uncertainty and upheaval accompany the arrival of a brash new medical doctor and his promises of progress and fast, painless childbirth. In a clash between tradition and science, Dora finds herself fighting to protect the rights of women as well as the wisdom that has been put into her care.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Canadian radiojournalist McKay was unable to ferret out the life story of late midwife Rebecca Steele, who operated a Nova Scotia birthing center out of McKay's Bay of Fundy house in the early 20th century; the result of her unsatisfied curiousity is this debut novel. McKay writes in the voice of shipbuilder's daughter, Dora Rare, "the only daughter in five generations of Rares," who as a girl befriends the elderly and estranged Marie Babineau, long the local midwife (or traiteur), who claims to have marked Dora out from birth as her successor. After initial reluctance and increasingly intensive training, 17-year-old Dora moves in with Marie; on the eve of Dora's marriage to Archer Bigelow, Marie disappears, leaving Dora her practice. A difficult marriage, many difficult births, a patient's baby thrust on her to raise without warning and other crises (including WWI and the introduction of "clinical" birthing methods) ensue. Period advertisments, journal entries and letters to and from various characters give Dora's voice context. The book is more about the texture of Dora's life than plot, and McKay handles the proceedings with winning, unsentimental care. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

When Dr. Gilbert Thomas, self-proclaimed expert in hygienic, pain-free childbirth, opens a practice in a Nova Scotia coastal village during the World War I years, it sets the stage for a classic conflict between long-held traditions and modern medicine. Seventeen-year-old Dora Rare, the only Rare daughter within five generations, improves her lot in life by becoming the apprentice of Marie Babineau, the independent but caring Acadian midwife who helped bring several generations of Scots Bay residents into the world. The women of the village (not to mention their husbands) grow bitterly divided when Dr. Thomas calls the health and safety of expectant mothers into question. His vengeful actions toward Dora herself--a young woman looking for guidance with her own love life--turn particularly personal as well. McKay has fashioned what she terms a "literary scrapbook," reproducing and re-creating historical news clippings, advertisements, and letters within the text. This sensitively written novel of women's birthing rituals, strengths, and friendships will appeal to readers who enjoy gentle humor and plenty of homespun wisdom. Sarah Johnson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Harper Perennial (October 9, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061135879
• ASIN: B002QGSX7S
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (105 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,904 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ami McKay's debut novel, The Birth House was a # 1 bestseller in Canada, winner of three CBA Libris Awards, nominated for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, and a book club favourite around the world.

Her new novel. The Virgin Cure, is inspired by the life of her great- great grandmother, Dr. Sarah Fonda Mackintosh, a female physician in nineteenth century New York. Born and raised in Indiana, Ami now lives in Nova Scotia.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

(What's this?)

#8 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Literary Fiction

#10 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Literary

#22 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary

#26 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary Fiction

#98 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction

#8 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Literary Fiction

#10 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Literary

#22 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary

#26 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary Fiction

#98 in Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Enticing and Inspiring January 10, 2007

By Anna Molly

Format:Hardcover

I received this book for Christmas, 2006, and like most books I receive, I had never heard of this novel. Not without some trepidation, I began to read the first few pages of this lovely novel, becoming more and more spellbound with the story being woven by Ami McKay and her tales of Scots Bay and, later Spider Hill. It is a rarity to feel so entranced by one woman's struggle to find her own in the world before, during and after World War I, and I have never longed for the well being of a character as much as I did Dora Rare. When picturing her, I couldn't help but see her as child, still unsure about the world, or even whether to question the life she leads, but in contrast, a woman with so much intimate knowledge about health, that I couldn't help but relate to her. She is a wholesome character, who made me want the best for her, and her own struggles and strengths, tugged greatly at my heart strings, and in the end I felt inspired at her courage. This novel truly is a piece of art, and I encourage any woman, or man for that matter, to read this book and hopefully they will take as much from this remarkable character and author as I have.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Book September 10, 2006

By A. Flegg

Format:Hardcover

This is a book for and about mothers. I found the story magical, and although I am of a scientific bent, I love to find myself on the side of the mystical and mysterious. The prologue is positively musical in its choice of language, and I was hooked immediately. Like another of the reviewers, I was unable to put the book down.

The characters in The Birth House are real people, people we care about throughout the story. These are the women we wish we had as neighbours, women we wish we were.

If I have one criticism, it would be seeing our heroine, Dora, in so many historical events. I was OK with seeing her help out at the Halifax explosion, but my credibility was stretched a bit when the small town midwife also helped in Boston during the Influenza epidemic in 1918.

All in all, an excellent read. I would recommend it to all mothers and mothers-to-be. (Wonderful to see yet another amazing Canadian woman author!)

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars An Okay Debut Novel February 25, 2008

By M. Galindo VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

This was Ami McKay's debut novel, and for a first effort it was okay. The topic was interesting and one can tell that she truly loves her adopted home of Nova Scotia.

The novel revolves around Dora Rare, who has been chosen as the next mid-wife of Scots Bay at the tender age of 17, and her coming of age in that capacity. She does so at a time when the time-honored mid-wife is coming face to face with that of the budding OBGYN in a clash of science and wills. Add to this mix the idea that women are becoming more vocal politically, and the potential for a fine recipe for a novel is born.

However, this one disappoints. The writing is an easy style. Ms. McKay certainly can keep her words flowing easily. Yet, her characters are so entirely one dimensional! The doctor is the embodiment of evil - he has not one singularly nice quality about him. I've never met anyone like that. Also, the women who do not approve of Dora or "Miss B" are of the ilk of hypocritical old bats - nothing nice there, either. Naturally, those who "take" to Dora are kind, nice, intelligent, tolerant, emitting all the good qualities everyone would love, and having absolutely none of the bad. Just who ARE these people?!?!!?

One thing that annoys me with some historical novel writers (such as this one) is when they write a 21st century character into another time period. It is just over the top and doesn't work.

There is potential for this author, but I hope she doesn't allow herself to sink into the morass of dimestore romances!

26 of 30 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Poignant and Compelling! July 14, 2006

By Cheryl Tardif

Format:Hardcover

Congratulations, Ami, on a fabulous first novel.

A young girl, Dora Rare, moves in with an elderly small town midwife or 'traiteur' who claims that Dora will take over her birthing business. Marie Babineau trains the young girl in the ways that only tradition can teach.

The story takes place over a number of years, seeing the main character married, operating a birthing house and raising someone else's child. Dora is caught between the old ways and new, modern birthing practices. The story evolves slowly, deeply and emotionally.

As a fellow Canadian author, it is uplifting to see Canadian fiction so well accepted. I too write about Canadian locales, but haven't yet made it to the east coast in my books yet. Having lived in New Brunswick and traveled to Nova Scotia, I think McKay has painted a quaint and realistic picture of how life was (and maybe still is to some extent), with characters that live and breathe. Canadian fiction is alive and well, thanks to authors like Ami McKay!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to delve into the emotions and lives of small town Nova Scotia. But warning...bring Kleenex!

~ Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Author of Divine Intervention

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars disappointing January 25, 2008

By sashamiel

Format:Hardcover

I was interested in the locale and topic of this book, but found it to be only o.k. As some other reviewers have noted, the characters are VERY one dimensional, and the writing seemed self-conscious and over the top. Although the topic was interesting (divide between midwives and doctors), it didn't make up for the characters, writing, or even the plot for that matter. Although Geraldine Brooks' book "A Year of Wonders" isn't even about midwives per se, I thought she did a much better job of illustrating that conflict between the traditional medicine and uppity doctors backed by dubious science!