Martha Ballard is a midwife in Hallowell, Maine. One of the few women skilled in reading and writing, she keeps a diary of her days and her deliveries. Thus, she has evidence to bring forth when two influential men are charged with rape. Hallowell is full of secrets and scandals. Some feel no gratitude for Martha's careful documentation and will seek to thwart her efforts toward justice.
I think my favorite part about this whole book was the author's note at the end. She shares her simple find of a small devotional blurb about Martha Ballard. This led her into extensive research and a story worth telling. Lawhon explains how truth, paired with supposition about how things may have played out, teased out an intense and gratifying tale. I only struggled because my listening to this audio book was disrupted by many days spent away from the story line during our trip to Dallas for my oldest son's wedding.
1 comment:
This book is gripping. I agree, it's not a time period that perks my interest, but Lawhon's writing style captured me. The book raises great questions about truth and justice.
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