The Frozen River: A GMA Book Club Pick: A Novel
From the New York Times bestselling author of I Was Anastasia and Code Name Hélène comes a gripping historical mystery inspired by the life and diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned 18th-century midwife who investigates a shocking murder that unhinges her small community.
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Community Reviews
What Bookclubbers are saying about this book
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Readers say *The Frozen River* is a compelling, well-researched historical novel inspired by real events and diaries of Martha Ballard, a resilient 18...
This was my first “historical fiction” I really liked it. Getting a glimpse of how life used to be in the late 17 hundreds was interesting albeit frustrating at times. A man having to be present before a woman can testify, not to mention charges for fornicating or having a child out of wedlock. Crazy times we used to live in. I really enjoyed learning about Martha and her family and was pleasantly surprised to find it was loosely based on a true person. I loved the romance between her and her husband and the relationships she had with her children. Her love for the town and the people within was felt in every aspect of her work. She was always wiling to come to the rescue of anyone no matter who they were or how they treated her. She was very genuine and respected by the town’s people.
The mystery of the book was good as well, and I enjoyed the twists at the end when we finally find out who committed the murder. The Joseph North character was a real piece of #$%, (hope he wasn’t a real person) and I was glad to see him get what he got in the end!
OhMyGod I loved.this.book! Way to hit it outta the park in our first book club's first book!
I found myself smitten with Martha Ballard; equally strong feelings, yet on the other end of the spectrum, for a couple of other characters. Oooo; they ticked.me.off! As in, had to put the book down several times "ticked me off". The writing/dialogue was fantastic!
I found myself smitten with Martha Ballard; equally strong feelings, yet on the other end of the spectrum, for a couple of other characters. Oooo; they ticked.me.off! As in, had to put the book down several times "ticked me off". The writing/dialogue was fantastic!
thenextgoodbook.com
What’s it about?
Ariel Lawhorn brings 1789 Maine to life in this work of historical fiction. Martha Ballard was a midwife in Maine in the late 1700s. She kept a daily record of her life and Ariel Lawhorn uses this record to create a story of what might have happened during one cold winter in 1789 when the crime of rape was alleged. Being a midwife and healer meant Martha was privy to many of the town’s secrets and Lawhorn uses this fact to create the story.
What did it make me think about?
The historical imbalance of power between men and women.
Should I read it?
Well, this was just an excellent work of historical fiction. I walked away with a much better idea of what life was like in our country’s early years. The Ballard family made for a great cast of characters to illuminate life in the 1700s. I read this one for book club and I can not wait to hear everyone’s take on a few details… Pick this one up!
Quote-
“Rape is a capital offense in the States, punishable by hanging. But in all my five decades, I have seen only one man dangle at the end of a rope for that crime. It is nearly impossible to prove, and, until lately, most men caught doing so were dispatched before the courts could be involved. The recent War of Independence and the subsequent ratification of the Constitution has put a basic framework of laws in place to deal with such transgressions. There is more of a deterrent now to keep an aggrieved father or brother from taking justice into his own hands.”
What’s it about?
Ariel Lawhorn brings 1789 Maine to life in this work of historical fiction. Martha Ballard was a midwife in Maine in the late 1700s. She kept a daily record of her life and Ariel Lawhorn uses this record to create a story of what might have happened during one cold winter in 1789 when the crime of rape was alleged. Being a midwife and healer meant Martha was privy to many of the town’s secrets and Lawhorn uses this fact to create the story.
What did it make me think about?
The historical imbalance of power between men and women.
Should I read it?
Well, this was just an excellent work of historical fiction. I walked away with a much better idea of what life was like in our country’s early years. The Ballard family made for a great cast of characters to illuminate life in the 1700s. I read this one for book club and I can not wait to hear everyone’s take on a few details… Pick this one up!
Quote-
“Rape is a capital offense in the States, punishable by hanging. But in all my five decades, I have seen only one man dangle at the end of a rope for that crime. It is nearly impossible to prove, and, until lately, most men caught doing so were dispatched before the courts could be involved. The recent War of Independence and the subsequent ratification of the Constitution has put a basic framework of laws in place to deal with such transgressions. There is more of a deterrent now to keep an aggrieved father or brother from taking justice into his own hands.”
OhMyGod I loved.this.book! Way to hit it outta the park in our first book club's first book!
I found myself smitten with Martha Ballard; equally strong feelings, yet on the other end of the spectrum, for a couple of other characters. Oooo; they ticked.me.off! As in, had to put the book down several times "ticked me off". The writing/dialogue was fantastic!
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