The Birth House - Ami Mckay

The Birth House

By Ami McKay

4 1/2 stars (out of 5)

Small town Maritime life in the 1800s was far from tame. Although it is fictional, Ami McKay's The Birth House paints a vivid picture of the life lead by Canadian women who lived during the revolutionary transition of medicine from faith to science. Its' strong, well developed characters propel the storyline forward in a style which is both riveting and emotional. The story's heroine, the midwife Dora, fights for what she believes in, while still maintaining her often soft and vulnerable nature. Largely based on facts, The Birth House reveals the well documented merits of natural methods of medicine. As the women of the community start to follow the new doctor in town, who preaches science as the new age of childbirth, they turn their backs on the midwifery they have entrusted their children to for generations. Throughout the book, there are underlying currents of the sexism and mistreatment of women that was commonplace for the era. The characters face the dark truths of the time, such as rape, child abuse, and oppression. The Birth House is and engaging story with a foundation rooted in fact. Bringing us valuable insight into an era far removed from our own, it reveals that despite these differences, the people of these trying times face the same question that is looming over us today. How can we thrive in a world which is changing faster than we can comprehend?

1. What did you think of the character of the doctor? Was he justified in trying to replace Dora as the caregiver for the town?

2. Dora is a very complex character. Why do you think the author chose to portray her as having a very soft side, even though she is such a strong person?

An article on the arrival of university educated doctors in Nova Scotia.