The Birth House: a book review
I am writing to tell all of your readers and customers about a FANTASTIC book—if they haven’t already heard of it and read it because it’s taking North America by storm. It’s Ami McKay’s ‘The Birth House’. I picked up this book because I had the good fortune to hear and be wowed by the author read and answer questions at Halifax’s first International Writer’s and Reader’s Festival last spring. Ami McKay is as delightful and intelligent in person as she is in her ability to tell a story.
Among the many reasons I, and my book club mates, enjoyed this book is the attention McKay pays to women’s ways of being. The connections we create through birthing rituals, knitting circles or book clubs are historicized, validated and celebrated in the author’s first novel. Equally impressive is the attention McKay pays to bringing to light the long road women have had to journey to have control over their health care and birthing processes. Through delightful accounts of a mechanical tool’s ability to make the main character heal on her own (who knew the history of the vibrator?!) to a well-developed cacophony of local characters up against an equally brilliantly-illustrated circle of women friends, McKay’s story of Dora Rare is one of historical and contemporary significance.
I’ve bought the book for friends and family living in the US, Canada, and Northern Ireland. While set in Canada’s rural Nova Scotia, Dora Rare reaches across borders not only because of the universal social themes but also because it’s a darn good yarn!
Best wishes from Canada’s East Coast, DeNel S.
November 9th, 2006 at 9:28 am
Thanks for this review DeNel; I miss you living on the East Coast. I devoured this book with the fresh memory of my own ‘birth house’ experience. I thought about how fortunate we are in British Columbia to have full coverage of midwifery care. It made me wonder what struggles the pioneers in midwifery must have gone through to get their practice approved by ‘the system’.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel while nursing Garret, escaping to the early war-torn 20th century, celebrating each birth that Dora attended, and admiring her strength and burgeoning feminism. It was a pleasure to read a novel that spoke to my current love of all things ‘birthing’ related.
November 9th, 2006 at 10:30 am
I also just finished devouring this book and actually considered diving in for a second read, I didn’t want it to end! Dora Rare’s journey is a powerful one and she becomes such an important part of her small community and the women’s lives she touches. I love learning about history through well-written novels, weaving a story makes the facts sink in better and in working towards becoming a doula and eventually midwife, it tied right in with my current mind-set as well. A beautiful book that every woman should read, it’s good to know our HERstory.
November 15th, 2006 at 4:12 am
I recently found out that Ami will be reading in Dartmouth, NS on Nov. 22 and quickly wrote friends who might want to attend with me. Interestingly, my invite included only women, but before pressing send, I thought about how many men in my life would enjoy this book. I invited them, too.
Too often, I think we neglect bringing men into the fold when, if we did so, we might be surprised at their level of understanding. Or, perhaps we have a duty to bring them into the fold so that they improve their understanding. Espeicially around women’s health and HERstory.
Speaking of which, have you ever heard of Ada, Lady Lovelace? Check her out: she invented (or envisioned it) the computer! http://www.agnesscott.edu/lriddle/WOMEN/love.htm and was raised by a single mom— in the early nineteenth century. (I just found this out while doing research for a lecture in my media class.) Too cool! You go, girl!
November 20th, 2006 at 9:10 pm
Ada Byron, patron superlady of computer geeks! I have her face screened on some undies from another fab Vancouver company, Staples silks.
One of my favourite Ada-related stories is baby-related, too— though probably not as baby-related as that intriguing Birth House book.
May 28th, 2007 at 8:47 am
Thanks for the review. I picked up the book several months ago and have not opened it. I rarely read, but this book jumped out at me and I HAD TO GET IT!! Now, I think maybe I’ll have to read it! LOL