Present were Betty, Carla, Colette, Linda, Michèle and Shirley. Our host was Colette. She offered us a very nice variety of cheese and pâtés.
The month's book was The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon, chosen by Shirley. The Frozen River is a historical fiction inspired by the real person, Martha Ballard who was a midwife, healer and diarist in Maine during the last 40 years of the 18th century. The principle character in the novel has the same name. Though a novel, the descriptions of country and village life, the harshness of winter, midwifery, farming and the legal system in Maine are very realistic.
There are many characters in the novel plus animals that have their own personalities. Some found it took some concentration to keep the characters and their relationships and connections with others straight. However, Ms. Lawhon gave us vivid descriptions of the mains characters, Martha and her husband Ephraim are well described, obviously a couple with respect and love.
The story begins with a drowning death and stories of families, murders, births and a court case are all intertwined . Martha's journals serve as record keeping of births, deaths and the history of the community. There is drama, family activities, a court case in which Martha is a witness. There are crimes committed. There is no down time in this novel!
Almost all of our members enjoyed the book and found all very realistic. Thank you Shirley for an excellent choice.
