From: chichild at sfpl.lib.ca.us <chichild>
Date: Wed, 1 Nov 1995 12:51:43 -0800

Hi, this is Carla Kozak in San Francisco. I have read both "Catherine" and
"Midwife," but I read "Midwife" quite a few month's back and have not yet had the chance to reread. I remember my first impression though--it was,
"Karen Cushman has done it again! She has created a believable, sympathetic young heroine with guts and gumption and a good wallop of humor, and she has given me a vivid picture of village life in the Middle Ages."

This slim book is packed with so much integrity! The information on the practice of midwifery at that time, and the emerging strength of character in No Name-turned?etle-turned-Alice (I might not have the spellings right, sorry) would have been enough, but there is so much more in here: the essential interaction of the villagers, the "illicit" relations of same, and that wonderful chapter where the devil's hoof prints make everyone just a bit more honest (at least temporarily!), and the lovely subtle interdependency of Alice and the cat--well, the only thing I could ask, and this goes for "Catherine" too--are sequels. How I would love the opportunity to read more about these young women.

Carla "It is sometimes appropriate to gush" Kozak chichild at sfpl.lib.ca.us or carlak at sfpl.lib.ca.us
Received on Wed 01 Nov 1995 02:51:43 PM CST