Roberta Rich (1)Critiques

Historical Romance

Ingenious plot! The narration is top class. I can't help falling in love with Hannah, the heroine, the resourceful midwife of Venice. For reasons obscure to myself, this book reminds me of "the tomato rhapsody". I'm not trying to compare them. Reading this book has evoked wonderful memories of the "the tomato rhapsody". Of course one can draw a few parallels between both books. For example, Jew ostracism, ghetto and inquisition of Jews etc

Characters are wonderfully fleshed. The kind of book one can sit back and enjoy. No heavy sentiment or brain whacking subplots.

Set in 1575, a nobleman comes to the Jewish Ghetto to hire Midwife Hannah, which is against papal edict. Going against her Rabbi, Hannah takes the job to earn $$ to ransom her husband, Isaac, who has been sold into slavery in Malta. The story goes back and forth between Venice and Malta, as Hannah tries to save herself and the newborn noble baby & Isaac tries to free himself before he starves.

The Midwife of Venice by Roberta Rich is a historical fiction story that is set in 16th century Venice and Malta as it follows the story of Hannah and her husband Isaac. As Jews they live in the ghetto of Venice and have strict laws that must be followed. In order to get ahead, Isaac has ventured forth on a trade expedition, but unfortunately his ship was captured by the Knights of Malta and he is being held as a slave until he can be ransomed.

When Hannah is approached by a nobleman who is desperate for her to come and help his wife, she is reluctant as it is forbidden for Jews to assist at Christian births. She does agree when the Count offers her 200 ducats. This will be enough money to free her husband. Unfortunately her assistance makes her the target of jealous relatives of the Count. The story switches back and forth between Venice and Malta, as both Hannah and Isaac must surmount many difficulties in their quest to be together again.

I enjoyed The Midwife of Venice, finding it a very fast moving and captivating story. It seemed a little simplified, although the author supplies plenty of drama, intrigue and action. I did think that the characters could have been a little more developed as they were rather one dimensional but it did hold my interest and I see there is a sequel that I will definitely plan on reading in the future.½

So good!

At the heart of this book is a very simple story--two people doing everything they can to reunite. For that I simply loved this book. But the setting and the characters involved in this story face incredible environmental and social challenges. The reader gets a full glimpse of what it was like being an ostracized Jew in Venice in the 16th century as the Plague starts to take over the population. We get a fairly accurate history lesson by paying close attention to the setting and the social constraints alone.
The rest of my review can be found here.

This story started out really well, with an interesting main character, Hannah Levi, the midwife of the title. This is in the 1560s in Venice, Hannah is a poor woman living in the Jewish ghetto. her husband has been captured while on a sea voyage and is being help prisoner in Malta. Hannah is Rey good at her profession but she is barren and poor. She is summoned to help a wealthy Christian mother give birth during a lengthy and difficult labour. Her Rabbi forbids this but she goes against his wishes.
Needless to say, she saves the mother and baby but from there on, the story gets silly and far fetched.

Liked this more than I thought I would - a rollercoaster ride through old Venice. I love historical fiction, and after visiting Venice last year became very interested in the old Jewish Ghetto. This book really brought it too life, and the author took care to include so many details and scenarios that reveal what life was really like back then. The book had an almost swashbuckling feel to it, with narrow escapes, evil villains, and a brave couple trying to get back to each other.

The book is short enough that it doesn't drag on, and is a relatively quick read. Definitely worth reading.

I couldn't stop reading. I really couldn't. This is the kind of consumable story that holds ones attention really easily. The story moves steadily, evening nail-bitingly, quick enough to capture and hold the reader for the full length of the novel.

However, while I loved the story, I found the writing itself to be somewhat lacking. Too simple perhaps. Almost childish, by nature. If it weren't for the graphic details of birth and the openness about sex that we see in both Hannah and Isaac's stream of consciousness, I would be recommending this book to any 8 year old kid. I think the happy ending may have contributed to this. It's not that I don't like happy endings... but this one seemed just a little too perfect.

But, that engaging story made up for what was lacking in writing, and even the ending. This is an easy, quick read, that really does seem to transport you to the Venice and Malta of the past.

(Thanks to Randomhouse for sending me a copy of the book!)

I purchased the book as a gift for a friend after the seller's recommendation. The book was so curious to me that I had to buy one copy for me as well. I waited for my friend to read and respond but in the meantime, While my friend was leat to arrive, I decided to dare and read it without her.

I finished it a day and a half later. Although it is not a masterpiece and is filled with half-truths and historical inaccuracies, the plot is fascinating and combines landscape, architecture, sounds, smells and life experiences of that period, 1575.

The novel made me go back to find the sources, to refresh and shake the dust from the shelves of memory, about the Middle Ages. I also had to search the sources for the sites in question. Places and sites aside from the name "Venice"; after a few years, I must refresh my memory about the appearance of spots on the globe.

From reading the first chapter you enter the atmosphere, and the tension begins; Hannah the midwife, a daring and talented woman who lived in the ghetto of Nuevo (the new ghetto) in Venice in 1575. Her name was known all over Venice, although she treated only Jewish women.

The Count arrives with his brother accompanied by the rabbi to her stinking apartment. Begging and asking that she will come to see his wife, Lucia after she was already weak, sick, suffering for about two days with labor and the midwife, was unable to "persuade" the baby to leave. Besides, there is a directive from the Pope forbidding Christians to use Jewish medical services. The rabbi forbids her to accede to the count's request, for fear that if the baby or mother dies, every man, woman, and child in the ghetto will pay the price, not just Hannah.

Hannah, whose husband Isaac was captured as a slave by the Knights of Malta, decides to save her husband.

The book is replete with dialogues of egalitarianism and humanity, combining the history and the life of the time. The Black Plague, the Inquisition, the Order of Enlightenment, pirates, trade, moneylenders, love, murder, slavery. There are also turns in the plot, so tension is maintained throughout the book.

Stress and pleasure guaranteed.
Warmly recommended.

This is a fabulous first novel. I'm very picky when it comes to birth-related details and Roberta Rich didn't hit a wrong note. Gripping, touching, and at times nerve-wracking. If you like historical fiction you'll love this.

This story takes place in Constantinople in the 1600s during the reign of of one of the Sultans. Hannah is e midwife to the palace and to the sultan's harem.
I thought this might be an interesting book and it started well but it got ordinary and predictable halfway through.
Not recommended.

I enjoyed this book. I thought it was well-written and engaging.

At times, I was anxious to get through Isaac's chapters because I was less interested in his story than his wife's. But it wasn't too bad.

The idea of "birthing spoons" did seem a little far-fetched to me. I would think it would do damage to the babies. Then again, I'm no midwife. What do I know?½

The Midwife of Venice was Roberta Rich's debut novel. This international bestseller was followed by a second novel - The Harem Midwife. And at last the third novel - A Trial in Venice - is here!

This isn't a time period I usually read, but I was fascinated and immediately drawn in by Rich's characters, plotting and settings in the first book. And I've eagerly awaited each new book.

Rich has filled her books full of fascinating historical detail - the social mores, customs and laws of the time, religious differences, midwifery, day to day life and more. Using that research she has created a character it is impossible not to like. The three books have Hannah Levi, a Jewish midwife in 1575's Venice, at their heart. She's strong-minded, strong-willed, compassionate, intelligent and loving. But she must live within the confines set down by her faith and the laws of the land - which proves hard to do.

1580. The prologue opens with Hannah languishing in a Venice Prison. The how and why of this imprisonment is a story begun in the first book. Hannah saved a child from death in the first book. The parents died and Hannah kept the child to raise as her own. But....the boy was a Christian and the heir to a fortune. There are those who covet the boy's wealth and are just as determined to have control of him and his money. The two co-conspirators behind the machinations that have led to Hannah's arrest are wonderfully drawn - especially the conniving Cesca.

The beginning comes full circle with just the right ending to this trilogy. The tale in between will appeal to those who love historical novels filled with 'rich' detail, suspense and yes, romance. The love between Hannah and her husband Isaac is a joy to read, as is the love for their children.

I recommend starting with the first book to fully appreciate the subsequent books. Sadly this is the conclusion to this story, but I am very much looking forward to see what Rich turns her pen to next.

I enjoyed this book and it was a quick read. I was drawn into Hannah's moral dilemma from the start and I couldn't stop reading to see what was going to happen next. The descriptions of Venice were vivid and I think the book was well researched for the time period. It was believable and I love tales told from from a woman's perspective. If you want a well written light historical novel, this would fit the bill.

It was well written and enjoyable but too many coincidences.

Although the beginning was stronger than the ending, everything in between was a remarkable journey.

Summary: Hannah Levi is renowned throughout Venice for her gift at coaxing reluctant babies from their mothers using her secret “birthing spoons.” When a count implores her to attend his dying wife and save their unborn son, she is torn. A Papal edict forbids Jews from rendering medical treatment to Christians, but his payment is enough to ransom her husband Isaac, who has been captured at sea. Can she refuse her duty to a woman who is suffering? Hannah’s choice entangles her in a treacherous family rivalry that endangers the child and threatens her voyage to Malta, where Isaac, believing her dead in the plague, is preparing to buy his passage to a new life.

The sequel to the Midwife of Venice, this book follows Hannah and Isaac to Constantinople. Hannah becomes midwife to the Imperial Harem, as is called upon to verify the virginity of Leah, a Jewish maiden. Hearing Leah's tragic story, Hannah lies, telling the sultan's mother that the girl is intact. When Hannah discovers that Leah is four months pregnant, she scrambles to save the girl's life.

This was an excellent book, I read it in one night. The characters continue to intrigue with the realism. I would love to read more from this author and hope another sequel is in the works!

When Hannah is approached in the middle of the night to save a noble Christian woman, she is torn between the law, which criminalizes Jewish midwives from tending to Christians, and doing what is right. To complicate matters, her husband has been enslaved, and she is desperately trying to raise the money to ransom him. With the use of birthing spoons, a type of forceps, she safely delivers the baby boy. The use of such an instrument, could be considered witchcraft among the citizens of Venice.

This was a fascinating book with interesting and vibrant characters. I found the novel's setting captivating, and loved reading about Venice. I can't wait to read the sequel!

I had high hopes for this one with an interesting setting and a strong female protagonist, but it didn't deliver, in my opinion. I found the the writing rushed, the plot twists approaching implausibility, and the characters underdeveloped. The story has lots of promise and now that the author has gotten through her first book, I hope she's learned and will do a better sequel.½

A good read. Story fluxtuates between Hannah and Issac,Jews living in the ghetto of Venice in 1575. Hannah is a midwife who delivers a Christian baby to a noble family, much intrigue follows from this leading Hannah to save the baby Matteo from his evil uncles who wish him dead. Meanwhile Issac has his own misfortunes and we follow his adventures after he looses his savings and is sold as a slave on the island of Malta. His wit and ingenuity saves his skin many times as he tries to escape the island with no success. finally Hannah makes it to Malta and saves her husband.
A fun story that does seem to resolve itself rather quickly but maybe that is just because I did not want the story to end.½

This book wasn't a complete waste of my time given that it did keep me entertained a bit. I expected a story rich in background and relationships but what I got was flat and predictable.

I am a reader who loves the interaction between characters but I wasn't drawn into the relationships here. I feel the story would have benefited from more pages delving into the details and back stories that could have been told.

Beautifully written. Vivid descriptions.

When I finished The Midwife of Venice I really wanted to know more about Hannah and Isaac and I was delighted when I learned Roberta Rich was working on another book about them. Now, thanks to my friend Susan, I have read the next installment in their life and I sure hope that there is another book to follow.

Hannah and Isaac have settled in Constantinople which gives greater freedoms to Jewish citizens than Venice did. Isaac has his own silk business and Hannah continues to work as a midwife. She has found favour with the Sultan's mother, the Valide, and is the midwife of choice for the harem. Unfortunately there are no babies being born because the Sultan is transfixed by his wife, Safiye, and will not lie with any other woman. The Valide has found a young slave girl from the Circassian Mountains who she hopes will awaken the Sultan's desires. But first she wants Hannah to certify she is a virgin. The girl, Leah, is the sole remnant of a small Jewish village that was destroyed by Yuruk tribesmen. Hannah feels sorry for Leah and when Leah begs her to tell the Valide that she is a virgin even though she is not Hannah does so, knowing she is risking her life, Leah's and her family's. Other troubles arrive in the person of Isaac's brother's widow who comes to claim the loan her husband made to Isaac because it was from her dowry. Isaac's business is doing poorly and he cannot repay the loan. When they go to the rabbi to try to reach some compromise the rabbi tells Isaac that under Talmudic law he must take his sister-in-law as his wife. Although that would solve the issue of the loan neither Isaac nor Hannah want this.

Before these issues are resolved we learn a great deal about harems, concubines, childbirth, silk weaving and the Ottoman Empire. Interesting stuff and a good read.