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Interviews | February 14, 2012

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Stephen DauStephen Dau's The Book of Jonas is a marvelous, lyrical debut that examines the effects of war on everyone involved. Dau weaves together the stories... Continue »
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The Birth House (P.S.)

by Ami Mckay

The Birth House (P.S.) Cover

ISBN13: 9780061135873
ISBN10: 0061135879
Condition: Standard
All Product Details

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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

An arresting portrait of the struggles that women faced for control of their own bodies, The Birth House is the story of Dora Rare—the first daughter in five generations of Rares.

As apprentice to the outspoken Acadian midwife Miss Babineau, Dora learns to assist the women of an isolated Nova Scotian village through infertility, difficult labors, breech births, unwanted pregnancies, and unfulfilling sex lives. During the turbulent World War I era, uncertainty and upheaval accompany the arrival of a brash new medical doctor and his promises of progress and fast, painless childbirth. In a clash between tradition and science, Dora finds herself fighting to protect the rights of women as well as the wisdom that has been put into her care.

Synopsis:

Filled with details as compelling as they are surprising, this story of a Nova Scotia midwife is an unforgettable tale of the struggles women have faced to have control of their own bodies and to keep the best parts of tradition alive in the world of modern medicine.

Synopsis:

An arresting portrait of the struggles that women faced for control of their own bodies, The Birth House is the story of Dora Rare—the first daughter in five generations of Rares.

As apprentice to the outspoken Acadian midwife Miss Babineau, Dora learns to assist the women of an isolated Nova Scotian village through infertility, difficult labors, breech births, unwanted pregnancies, and unfulfilling sex lives. During the turbulent World War I era, uncertainty and upheaval accompany the arrival of a brash new medical doctor and his promises of progress and fast, painless childbirth. In a clash between tradition and science, Dora finds herself fighting to protect the rights of women as well as the wisdom that has been put into her care.

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About the Author

Ami McKay's work has aired on various Canadian radio programs. Her documentary, Daughter of Family G, won an Excellence in Journalism Medallion at the 2003 Atlantic Journalism Awards. Originally from Indiana, she now lives with her family in a former birth house in Scots Bay, Nova Scotia.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 3 comments:
cmckella, January 5, 2011 (view all comments by cmckella)
evocative of a particular time and place and way of life. informative and enjoyable.
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(1 of 2 readers found this comment helpful)
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Julie Miller, January 2, 2009 (view all comments by Julie Miller)
An easy read--maybe a little too easy. Although the subject matter is compelling, the characters are a bit too 'black & white.' We don't know what they're really thinking.

For such a complex subject as science intruding on tradition McKay paints the man of science as mostly evil, while the midwives are painted as mostly good or superior to the medical profession.

I enjoyed the portrait of Miss B., the older midwife who passes down her teachings to Dora, as well as the Nova Scotia setting, but the characterizations could have been more complex.
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bhacha, January 2, 2008 (view all comments by bhacha)
This is one of those rare books that propels you forward, wanting to know what happens to the characters and how the story ends; yet, when you get there, you're sorry you've finished the book. Wonderfully written. compelling.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780061135873
Author:
Mckay, Ami
Publisher:
Harper Perennial
Author:
Ami McKay
Author:
by Ami McKay
Subject:
Literary
Subject:
General Fiction
Subject:
Midwives
Subject:
Social life and customs
Subject:
Domestic fiction
Subject:
Midwives - Nova Scotia
Subject:
Literature-A to Z
Copyright:
2007
Edition Description:
Trade PB
Series:
P.S.
Publication Date:
20071031
Binding:
TRADE PAPER
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Pages:
416
Dimensions:
8.02x5.28x1.01 in. .82 lbs.
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The Birth House (P.S.) Used Trade Paper
0 stars - 0 reviews
$4.50 In Stock
Product details 416 pages Harper Perennial - English 9780061135873 Reviews:
"Synopsis" by , Filled with details as compelling as they are surprising, this story of a Nova Scotia midwife is an unforgettable tale of the struggles women have faced to have control of their own bodies and to keep the best parts of tradition alive in the world of modern medicine.
"Synopsis" by , An arresting portrait of the struggles that women faced for control of their own bodies, The Birth House is the story of Dora Rare—the first daughter in five generations of Rares.

As apprentice to the outspoken Acadian midwife Miss Babineau, Dora learns to assist the women of an isolated Nova Scotian village through infertility, difficult labors, breech births, unwanted pregnancies, and unfulfilling sex lives. During the turbulent World War I era, uncertainty and upheaval accompany the arrival of a brash new medical doctor and his promises of progress and fast, painless childbirth. In a clash between tradition and science, Dora finds herself fighting to protect the rights of women as well as the wisdom that has been put into her care.
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