The Secrets of Midwives

Three generations of midwives, each with distinct philosophies and personalities, are at the heart of this novel. Floss, the eldest, has kept a dark secret for decades, which begins to haunt her. Her daughter Grace is ebullient and a proponent of homebirths, whereas Grace’s daughter Neva is quiet and works in a birth centre. The late-term revelation of Neva’s pregnancy and her refusal to name the father sets a narrative web untangling as secrets threaten to be exposed and relationships are tested. While Neva’s character seems a bit vague, Grace is colourfully drawn and we witness her character transformation as she grapples with her daughter’s secret and her own troubles. There’s a curious lack of reflection on Neva’s behalf regarding her pregnancy, which is particularly odd given her profession. And there’s romance: somewhat unfathomably, a handsome male steps in and offers to parent Neva’s child, despite their relationship being only days old. This book’s strengths include its exploration of what it means to parent children who aren’t biological offspring; as well as its examination of midwifery, which shows the emotion and drama, the gore and the risks of bringing new life into the world. My desire to unravel the book’s mysteries kept the pages turning and The Secrets of Midwives should sit comfortably alongside Kim Edwards’ The Memory Keeper’s Daughter and titles by Jodi Picoult.

Joanne Shiells is an editor and former retail book buyer with an interest in the politics of birth