Ariel Lawhon

This book was just so good. I love the strong woman character and she was just so smart and powerful in a mature way. This book also made me so frustrated with how the men treated women and that they weren't able to do so many things. If a woman was pregnant out of wedlock, it's basically her fault and there was a court thing. It was just crazy, because this was based on true events. I LOVED the author's afterward where she talks about where she got the idea and what was real and what wasn't. Really cool. And that she was in a doctor's office and happened to see something about Martha in a magazine or something. And if the doctor wasn't late, and she didn't see that, then there wouldn't have been a book. Anyway, the book was amazing. SPOILER: And at the end, where she cut off the judge's dick when he tried to rape her...soooo good. The book made you hate the judge SO MUCH and his character was such an asshole that when she did that, and got away with it...just winning. Really good book and makes me want to check out other books by this author!… (plus d'informations)

I would categorize this book as a historical crime novel. The story was based on a real person... Martha Ballard midwife and healer in Hallowell Maine, in 1790. It is not biographic fiction. Rather, it is a story about "what could have happened in this woman's life".(p. 425, Author's Note) The book is loosely based on some of Martha's diary entries that the author read, relating to rape in the community, and her involvement with the victim.
The novel is more plot-driven than character-driven.
I see Martha as a round but static character. We are aware of her past, her hopes and dreams. She does not change in any way throughout the novel. The rest of the characters are rather flat and static.
In many of her diary entries, Martha wrote, " I have been at home." And while this was the role for most women, Martha found a voice in the community. Her role was essential to the families within Hallowell. She was also allowed to give testimony in court. In this novel, she becomes involved in the investigation of a murder of a man accused of rape.
It was very readable. I stayed up until 2 am to finish it.
To see my entire review:
https://lovelearning619870804.wordpress.com/2024/03/04/book-review-the-frozen-ri...… (plus d'informations)