A
Midwife’s Song of Freedom: Oh Freedom! (Hope River Novel #4) by Patricia Harman.
Flying Squirrel Publishing. November 2019. pb, 478 pp.; ISBN-13: 978-1702575003.
In 1956 the
Civil Rights movement is beginning to pick up steam as well as the threats from
America’s Cold War with Russia. Patience
and her dear friend Bitsy share the unfolding events, both decrying their
ancestral memories of slavery and freedom as well as current events that
threaten the stability they have come to know.
Their work as midwives has slowed but is now gaining prominence as the
new “painless” childbirth methods often are nothing but drugs and more forceful
ways of helping mothers give birth such as the use of forceps to rush delivery
of newborn infants. Women are learning
that childbirth may be better when occurring naturally, but the fear of things
going wrong gives some expectant mothers trepidation and fear to try the
natural method.
While sharing
their story, someone drops off on Patience’s porch some journals of Grace
Potts, a “white slave” who chronicles her realization that she is owned chattel
and her journey to freedom through the Underground Railroad throughout America
and into Canada. It’s an emotionally
devastating tale and some of the scenes are sure to haunt readers, but the
scenes that she and Bitsy read are real and remind them of the cost of freedom
that only fuels their Civil Rights protests and fervor.
However,
their children have new problems for the new century. Patience’s daughter becomes pregnant outside
of marriage and her son drinks too much.
Bitsy’s son comes home from the Korean War emotionally hurting. Both mothers have to and will learn to let
their children go to a new freedom where things heal beyond parental patterns
and dominance.
So what does
one do when freedom is looming on the horizon?
One sings and many of the Civil Rights freedom songs are written, sung
and shared by all who yearn for the change of true freedom. Freedom began in the 19th century
but still has fulfillment to attain. Patricia Harman has deftly and ably
presented that journey in a way that is readable, exciting, emotionally
riveting and memorable! Enjoy and look
forward to more novels in the Hope River series – both past and those to come
soon! Recommended historical fiction
books!!!
