The Midwife's Apprentice

By: Karen Cushman

Narrated by: Jenny Sterlin

Length: 2 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Lyrical yet unsentimental, The Midwife's Apprentice won the coveted 1996 Newbery Medal. Filled with striking characters, it paints unforgettable pictures of village life in the Middle Ages, the midwife's craft, and a very remarkable girl's growing independence and pride.

Brat has no name, no home, and no shelter against the 14th-century English winter except the foul warmth of a dung heap. So when Jane the Midwife wakes her with a kick and takes the half-starved creature to her cottage, a curious relationship begins. Jane teaches Brat to gather herbs and make the poultices used to ease the pain of childbirth for the village women.

The skinny young girl quickly learns to obey the sharp-tongued midwife, and secretly watches Jane practice her art whenever she can. But Jane is also teaching Brat unspoken lessons that will take longer - maybe a lifetime - to master.

©1995 Karen Cushman (P)1996 Recorded Books

A good listen

Would you listen to The Midwife's Apprentice again? Why?

I might listen again, but will need to wait sometime before I make up my mind.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked to girl's examination of herself & her place in society.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

read this as a young girl

I loved reading this as a girl and enjoyed listening to it with my daughter. will definitely listen to it again 😊

Rivetting - from start to end

If you could sum up The Midwife's Apprentice in three words, what would they be?

Wonderful medieval tale

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Midwife's Apprentice?

The end - when Alyce understands that only by her own determination will she realise her dream of becoming a midwife.

Which scene was your favorite?

They are all fantastic, but I loved when cat revives and the time Alyce and Cat spend together.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Alyce leaves the village in despair of ever becoming a midwife and her sense of loss.

Any additional comments?

A really interesting story. It's listed as a young adult's book, I think, but should appeal to all ages. It's never condescending or preachy in getting its message across. Jenny Sterlin's narration was perfect for the story.

Not sure a book for 12-13 year olds

It was a good book but my child struggled with the accents and I fell the theme isn’t for all kids at that age.

Great book

I really enjoyed this book. I think it was read wonderfully. I read this book as part of a book club. I am a mama to three with one on the way and it is very interesting to read about old practices maybe even with some newer thinking. The book is great for many ages; especially young girls who might become mothers or who are interested in history and or midwifery.

Good read, now wonder it’s banned

I can understand why this is banned in some places. The overcoming of self-doubt, bullying, the word “dung,” superstition, greed, gluttony, lust, infidelity, and god-forbid, childbirth, in a historical setting … dear lord, why would you want to subject children to these realities?

Wonderfully told and narrated. I can definitely picture the characters and the landscape.

First 4 chapters only

I was expecting this to be the entire book, but instead, it's only the first 4 chapters.

not for young teens

What would have made The Midwife's Apprentice better?

If you are getting this book for a young teen to read I would not recommend it. As it has adult content that is not appropriate in my opinion.

Would you ever listen to anything by Karen Cushman again?

not sure

Would you be willing to try another one of Jenny Sterlin’s performances?

Yes

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Midwife's Apprentice?

The chapter the Millers Wife. This is where we stopped listening to the story as it wasn't suitable for my young teen

umg so good

umg the cat is cute and is so orange ant the midwife is good at her job but alyce is still learning



shh

interesting insight into another way of life

Is there anything you would change about this book?

longer would have been good

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Midwife's Apprentice?

her gaining self confidence

Did Jenny Sterlin do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

yes

Do you think The Midwife's Apprentice needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

yes I liked going back in time. getting into the old lifestyles