The Review:

I had things to do when I picked up this book. I was actually planning on reading a chapter, doing some grading, and then doing the dishes. Needless to say my dishes sat on the counter and my pen stayed in my backpack until I finished this book.

If Margaret Atwood wrote The Road, she might have come up with something like Meg Elison’s Philip K. Dick award-winning book.

The main character, the midwife, remains nameless but she doesn’t remain unknown to the reader. In a terrifying world wracked by a disease which decimated the population (mainly women and children), the midwife tries to find safety and purpose. Major trigger warnings in the book: violence and sexual violence, as well as scenes related to childbirth which are incredibly graphic. Underneath these disturbing scenes, though, is the on-going, wry narration of a heroine you can’t stop reading.

Elison, according to rumors, is at work on the sequel already and I know I’ll be ordering it.

Thrilling, feminist, and an all-too-possible tale.  Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Details:

The Book of the Unnamed Midwife
by Meg Elison

Release Date: October 11, 2016

Published by 47North

Available for Purchase Here