The Midwife of Venice

By Roberta Rich

Book Overview

"An engrossing, well-written, and fast-paced" (Joy Fielding, New York Times bestselling author) historical novel following a woman in sixteenth-century Venice as she risks it all to save her missing husband.

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.

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. Told with exceptional skill, The Midwife of Venice "will capture historical fiction fans and readers who enjoyed Anita Diamant's The Red Tent" (Library Journal).

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1451657471
• ISBN13: 9781451657470
• Release Date: February 2012
• Publisher: Gallery Books
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Beautifully Written

A good historical fiction read. The descriptions are so well written you can see, hear, and smell the surroundings you are reading about. An interesting tale of conspiracies, religious beliefs and heroism all wrapped up into one wonderful story.