Book Twenty-Two: The Midwife of Hope River

It should be of no surprise, dear readers, when I admit to preferring non-fiction to fiction in general.  Modern fiction, at the risk of sounding snobbish, bores me.  Much of it leaves me uninspired or disgusted.  Yes; I judge books by their covers.  Why?   Because their covers often adequately describe what lies within.  A book jacket with accolades is always met with skepticism.   So when I say The Midwife of Hope River is the best fiction I've read so far this year, you know I mean it.

This gem was discovered in a classic bookstore maneuver.  In the 'H's, non finding for Hale, Shannon and eyes lighting on Harmon, Patricia.  Genius!

Set during the Depression amid the poorer-than-poor Appalachia, our narrative is that of midwife Patience Murphy.  Patience is a woman of secrets who finds peace in helping mothers bring a new life into the world.  Patience's deceased mentor leaves large shoes to fill; but she slowly gains the respect of the community that in turn saves her.

Author Patrica Harmon writes a beautiful piece of Americana.  There's really two narratives competing for your attention.  Patience and her flash-back sequences that give the reader just enough to help shape our protagonist.  The other is that of the families whose babies Patience welcome into the world.  Harmon weaves a life-affirming, hard-earned, story that celebrates humanity.

One could say that Patience becomes a little bit like Forrest Gump with all the historic dates and name drops Harmon evokes as she writes; but that only caught my attention after finishing the book.  Patience stares down the ugliest of human nature--prejudice-- to provide services to poor or rich, black or white, country or city folk.

Harmon's sincerity reflects in her dialogue.  As her story close, Patience finds what she needs and this reader was left genuinely satisfied.  As I see it, author Harmon has written an authentic, honest piece of fiction that celebrates life, ugliness and all, without a hint of sap.