The Secrets of Midwives by Sally Hepworth

This novel is told in the voices of three generations of midwives - a woman - Neva, her mother - Grace, and her grandmother- Floss. All three have secrets, and although they are bound by familial love and their calling as midwives, the secrets threaten to tear them apart.

Despite alternating between the three voices, the story flows well, and I enjoyed the accounts of the babies delivered in different places and times. Each birth is a momentous event, and the drama and tension is captured, as is the wonderful role that midwives play.

I found the storyline predictable, and the secrets and outcomes too easy to guess. The protagonists were likeable, and had obstacles to overcome, but I wasn’t exactly rooting for them, or finding their dilemmas anything more than mildly interesting.

The novel was well-paced, and the writing style was engaging. The insight into the role of midwives and the miracle of birth was captivating and tenderly told.

A heartwarming read.

3 out of 5 stars

ISBN: 9781447279877

You may also enjoy Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty, or The Things we Keep, also by Sally Hepworth.

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