From: chichild at sfpl.lib.ca.us <chichild>
Date: Thu, 2 Nov 1995 10:23:53 -0800

I have to disagree with Michelle's B&W overwiew of MA. The midwife is not "bad" at all--she is earthy and realistic. She knows her skill and her limitations. Alyce learns a lot from her, and at the end, after swallowing her pride, she is primed to learn more. With her inborn common sense, and her more sensitive nature, Alyce may turn out to be even more skilled than her mistress. But she will always be limited by the times, and lack of medical knowledge. She will witness both infant and maternal death, probably far too much of it. But she will help others come through the experience as whole as possible.

The boys were not "bad" either--they were boys, full of energy, lacking in any sort of education except "village smarts." And the one boy, who asked Alyce's assistance at the calf's birth, is already on his way to becoming a strong and neccesary cog in the not-so-simple wheel of life of this on-the-surface uncomplicated village.

I would ask you to look at this book again. On the other hand, perhaps Cushman's style is just not for you. That's okay. I have my dislikes as well, some of them very popular (I'll name CS Lewis, just as an example-I certainly don't want to start discussing him here. Suffice it to say his style drives me nuts, altho I can see why so many people adore him).

Carla Kozak carlak at sfpl.lib.ca.us or chichild at sfpl.lib.ca.us
Received on Thu 02 Nov 1995 12:23:53 PM CST