Summary
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon is a work of historical fiction based on a real-life murder mystery in 18th-century Maine. The story centers on Martha Ballard, a midwife whose diary entries document community life and its secrets. The plot follows her involvement in a murder investigation connected to an alleged rape. The setting reflects the harsh landscape and the challenges Martha faces in her pursuit of justice, exploring themes of gender roles and social constraints.
Plot
The Frozen River is set in 1789 Maine, where the discovery of Joshua Burgess's body on the frozen Kennebec River affects the town of Hallowell. Burgess is accused of raping Rebecca Foster, the parson’s wife, and dies under mysterious circumstances. Midwife Martha Ballard begins her own investigation, challenging Dr. Page's dismissal of murder despite compelling evidence. Her findings meet with skepticism.
Colonel Joseph North, implicated as a judge in Rebecca's case, manipulates legal proceedings to hide his crimes. Rebecca confronts her attackers in court, but North escapes justice. Meanwhile, Martha faces personal challenges when suspicion falls on her mute son, Cyrus. To complicate matters, Sam Dawin, who discovered the body, holds a secret about his involvement linked to a piece of lace.
Through her diary, Martha offers crucial observations that challenge societal norms. Her past trauma fuels her determination to protect others. As the story unfolds, a form of justice emerges—though some of the guilty escape consequences.
Characters
Martha Ballard: The protagonist, a midwife driven by a sense of justice. Martha investigates crimes in her community, seeking truth and equity despite societal constraints.
Ephraim Ballard: Martha's husband, who has strong moral values. Ephraim’s partnership with Martha is based on mutual respect and resilience.
Rebecca Foster: A survivor of sexual assault. Her story is significant to the events, highlighting societal judgments and gender norms of the Puritan era.
Colonel Joseph North: Though respected for his military service, North serves as an antagonist, reflecting the corruption in the legal and social systems of the 18th century.
Sam Dawin: Sam Dawin participates in the murder investigation. His involvement adds themes of revenge and familial loyalty to the narrative.
Doctor: The character known as Doctor is a Black midwife. Her interactions with Martha address racial and social hierarchies, enriching the story's social commentary.
Setting
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon is set in late 18th-century Maine, depicting life in post-Revolutionary America. The narrative focuses on Martha Ballard, a midwife in Hallowell, who navigates harsh winters and patriarchal structures. Her diaries provide a historical foundation, which Lawhon uses to recreate the era's daily life.
The freezing of the Kennebec River plays a central role in the story, representing hidden secrets and societal injustices. The landscape functions as a metaphor for societal barriers. Martha's quest for justice and agency highlights the complexities of early American life, particularly for women.
The Frozen River also captures the role of midwives in 18th-century America, depicting these women as responsible for medical care, minor surgeries, and autopsies. Martha Ballard's diary entries, facilitated by her literacy, document these duties. These records show that midwives commanded significant trust within their communities. They acted as healers and held social influence, especially during events like investigations of unexplained deaths. Ballard's role as both caregiver and community investigator demonstrates the influence women had in a judicial system mainly run by men.
Themes
Justice and moral integrity
In The Frozen River, Ariel Lawhon examines the pursuit of justice through Martha Ballard's investigations. As a midwife and unofficial detective, Martha confronts the judicial practices of Colonel Joseph North. Her journey involves upholding the community's moral fabric, illustrating the conflict between personal integrity and societal challenges.
Women's rights and gender roles
Lawhon explores 18th-century gender roles through Martha's actions. Despite resistance from figures like Dr. Page and the court, Martha's perseverance shows women's resilience and agency during that era. Her character critiques systemic silencing and marginalization, asserting women's rightful place in society.
Societal expectations and Puritan shame culture
The novel illustrates Puritan shame culture in Hallowell. Martha's diary serves as defiance, portraying the scrutiny that women like Rebecca Foster endure. This exposure of double standards examines entrenched cultural norms and probes societal values critically.
Familial loyalty
Familial loyalty provides solace and strength to Martha. Her connection with her family, particularly her son Cyrus, underscores the importance of family bonds against external challenges. This theme contrasts with the community's readiness to ostracize, examining personal allegiance and familial support amidst societal trials.
Quick facts
The Frozen River is inspired by Martha Ballard, an 18th-century midwife documented in Laurel Thatcher Ulrich's Pulitzer-winning A Midwife’s Tale.
Ariel Lawhon discovered Martha Ballard’s story unexpectedly during her own pregnancy.
The Frozen River combines elements of murder mystery and historical fiction, centered around a real dead body found in the Kennebec River in 1789.
Published in 2023, The Frozen River was named a GMA Book Club Pick and an NPR Book of the Year.
Martha Ballard's diary, kept for over 30 years, significantly informs the novel’s narrative.
Lawhon's portrayal of post-revolutionary America highlights gender dynamics, justice, and social issues still relevant today.
The protagonist, Martha Ballard, advocates women's rights and societal justice, reflective of her historical contributions.
Martha Ballard was a skilled midwife who delivered over 800 babies without losing a single mother during childbirth.
The Frozen River employs a non-linear timeline, gradually unraveling Martha's life, relationships, and the central mystery.
The harsh winter setting in 1789 Maine enhances the narrative tension and immersive atmosphere.
Themes of Puritan shame culture, gender oppression, and justice are central to the storyline.
The audiobook is narrated by award-winning voice artist Jane Oppenheimer.
About the author
Ariel Lawhon is a New York Times bestselling author of historical fiction. Inspired by lesser-known figures and mysterious crimes, her works often feature strong female characters who challenge the social conventions of their eras. Her books include I Was Anastasia, The Wife, The Maid, and The Mistress, Code Name Helene, and The Frozen River.
