Midwives

Oprah, Oprah, Oprah....!

How do you pick these stories? The latest I've read from your Book Club, though its not your latest recommend, of course, is Midwives by Chris Bohjalian. It has all the ingredients of Oprah Book Club fare. A nice homespun yarn set in Nowhere, America.

Oops. I don't mean to be derogatory. At least I know what I am getting with one of your Book Club tales. Though Midwives would, I suspect be a deeply uncomfortable read, for anyone who has not had a baby, and in cultures like mine, I'm sure it would be banned material for unmarried girls. The extended discussions on episiotomies and pushing, are discomfitting at times.

A decent book, but other than invoking Vermont beautifully, I don't see much in it. The relationship between the girl and her boyfriend is too cutesy-sweet - no hint of drama there. The attraction between the mother and the lawyer - which could've added something to the story - nothing there. Ditto for the promised dramatic ending. Several times, it was as though Bohjalian would like to have shocked us with one of these angles, but shied away from doing so at the last moment.

I will still pick up the next Oprah Book Club recommend I come across, though.