The Midwife's Tale

Lively. I zipped through Sam Thomas’ debut novel, The Midwife’s Tale, faster than my usual quick reading pace. Thomas drew me in immediately with rapid plot momentum. Historical fiction can become plodding at times, but this novel set during the English civil wars, was lively from beginning to end. Any male novelist, especially in a debut, can create female characters who come across as incomplete, or less fully realized. Protagonist Lady Bridget Hodgson, is the midwife from the title, and Thomas creates her as an interesting, complex, and fully formed character. Supporting characters are also well developed, and the setting, the siege of York, allows readers to appreciate this history: a time of people with divided political loyalties living side by side. Readers who like historical fiction and those willing to give a try to first time novelists are those most likely to enjoy this book. Rating: Four-star (I like it) Click here to purchase The Midwife’s Tale from amazon.com.