"The Midwife's Apprentice" by Karen Cushman

Bibliography

Cushman, Karen. (1995). The Midwife’s Apprentice. New York, New York: Harper Trophy. ISBN: 0-06-440630-X

Summary

This novel is about a young girl who starts out life without even a name. She is found in a dung heap by a grouchy, but effective, midwife who dubs her “Beetle” and takes her on as an apprentice.

Analysis

This novel is very comfortably written. By that I mean it was very easy and natural for me to read, with not too much high-level vocabulary or colloquialisms. The protagonist, eventually known as Alyce, is a pleasant and dutiful character who tugs at your heartstrings when she is mistreated by the various people she encounters. As you read, you get to grow with her from a half-starved scared child to a confident and self-aware young woman and it is so gratifying! She’s almost impossible not to identify with throughout this classic example of Bildungsroman.

Although the storyline catches you and pulls you through Alyce’s fictional existence, the story remains historically accurate. It gives the reader quite a lot of insight into the early practice of medieval midwifery (which sounds like spell already). At one point, Alyce recounts a few of the remedies she’s learned and, when compared to our modern medicine, they sound ridiculous. I would never eat rubies no matter how finely they were ground, nor would I consent to having crane’s blood rubbed anywhere on my person but, according to the customs of the time period, they are effective remedies for childbirth complications.

This book was a delightful, and surprisingly empowering, read and it would fit well with units on early medicine, medieval lifestyle or even feminist studies. I would most likely recommend to for a female reader, but it isn’t exclusively written for a girl. It can also appeal to readers who have experienced failure, abandonment or any other drastic life change that leaves one feeling lost and trying to find their place in the world.

Awards

Newbery Award, 1996
Notable Children’s Book, 1996