Looking for a historical novel that will knock your socks
off? The reader will pick up this book because they saw it
recommended on various websites used as a resource by die
hard readers but they will keep reading because of the
dynamic main character and memorable plot.
Hannah Levi is a Jewish midwife with magical hands...or
spoons, rather. The mystery of her success is somewhat due
to her "birthing spoons," which enable Hannah to save hard
to reach babies and their desperate mothers. Hannah's
success may be her downfall, however, when a Christian
husband begs her to save his laboring wife. Hannah is
uncertain whether or not she should go, but her morals get
the better of her and she risks helping a Christian (an act
that took a great deal of bravery during this time period).
Although no Jewish midwives are supposed to attend a
Christian birth, Hannah gets right down to business. The
following events set off more and more reactions that will
force the plot along at a rapid clip and keep the reader
avidly reading.
Hannah's character is excellent. She was the perfect main
character to relate to and the reader can not help but like
her. Down to earth, intelligent, and brave, Hannah is an
unforgettable character. The book switches from Hannah's
point of view to that of her husbands', Isaac. He fell upon
bad circumstances due to illegal activity concerning medical
activity (Jews are banned from certain things). These two
characters will create a plot in THE MIDWIFE OF VENICE that
is impossible to forget and fun to read.
Hannah's character was excellent. She was the perfect main
character to relate to and like. Down to earth,
intelligent, and brave, Hannah is an unforgettable
character. The book switches from Hannah's point of view
to that of her husbands', Isaac. Isaac will appeal to male
readers more than Hannah, perhaps. He fell upon bad
circumstances due to illegal activity concerning medical
activity (Jews are banned from certain things). These two
characters will create a plot that is impossible to forget
and fun to read.
A rollicking, fast-paced historical novel set against the
richness and squalor of sixteenth-century Venice and Malta.
Hannah ha-Levi, a midwife in the Jewish ghetto, is known
throughout Venice for her skill in midwifery. When a
Christian count appears at Hannah's door imploring her to
attend his labouring wife who is near death, Hannah's
compassion is tested. Not only is it illegal for Jews to
render medical treatment to Christians, it's also
punishable
by torture ... and death. But Hannah cannot turn down the
money. With such a handsome sum, she can save her own
husband, Isaac, who was captured at sea and taken to Malta
as a slave of the Knights of St. John. Aided by her
"birthing spoons" - rudimentary forceps she invented to
help
with difficult births - will Hannah be able to save mother
and child? And if she can, will she also be able to save
herself? Woven through Hannah's travails is the story of
Isaac's life as a captive slave in Malta. Fearing that his
wife has perished in the plague, he pins his hopes of
returning home to Hannah on his talent for writing love
letters that melt even the hardest of hearts. Riveting and
compulsively readable,The Midwife of Venicecombines fast-
paced adventure with richly evocative historical writing.
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