Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Book of the Unnamed Midwife
Book of the Unnamed Midwife | Meg Elison
Philip K. Dick Award Winner for Distinguished Science FictionWhen she fell asleep, the world was doomed. When she awoke, it was dead.In the wake of a fever that decimated the earth s population killing women and children and making childbirth deadly for the mother and infant the midwife must pick her way through the bones of the world she once knew to find her place in this dangerous new one. Gone are the pillars of civilization. All that remains is power and the strong who possess it. A few women like her survived, though they are scarce. Even fewer are safe from the clans of men, who, driven by fear, seek to control those remaining. To preserve her freedom, she dons men s clothing, goes by false names, and avoids as many people as possible. But as the world continues to grapple with its terrible circumstances, she ll discover a role greater than chasing a pale imitation of independence.After all, if humanity is to be reborn, someone must be its guide."
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
review
Rissa1
post image
Pickpick

I have pondered how to rate this. 3, 4, 5, stars? I finally settled on 5 stars because any book that can make me feel a spectrum of emotions while being cleverly written deserves all the stars. Just be prepared for the dark cloud to hang above your head for a bit after you finish it.

SamAnne I had the same reaction. It was recommended to me by a bookstore employee. So dark, and the focus on what women need to do to protect themselves from men in a societal collapse situation. 3y
Rissa1 @SamAnne I picked it solely on the cover. 🤯 3y
19 likes2 comments
blurb
Rissa1
post image

8:15 pm 83°F feels like 94° F. I am sitting in the dark, trying to cool off, after a change of plans required a quick cleaning of a space for a house guest. Yes, I have the air on but hot flashes in the summer are the devil! I know nothing of this book, chose it solely based on the cover.

SamAnne Oh this was a dark one recommended by staff at my Indy bookstore. 3y
Rissa1 @SamAnne it definitely starts very dark. 3y
19 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
MariahLovesBooks
Pickpick

A great book. I was hooked from the beginning.

Smrloomis I thought this was super scary and really good! 4y
Smrloomis And welcome to Litsy! 🥳 4y
6 likes2 comments
review
Eggs
post image
Pickpick

In the wake of a fever that decimated the earth‘s population—killing women and children and making childbirth deadly for the mother and infant—the midwife must pick her way through the bones of the world she once knew to find her place in this dangerous new world. A story of survival in impossible circumstances, raw and grim-also reinforces the importance of oral traditions. #bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks
4/5 ⭐️

TheAromaofBooks Great review!! 4y
BookmarkTavern Oooo, that sounds good! 4y
Eggs Thanks❣️ @TheAromaofBooks 4y
Eggs @ozma.of.oz I did the audio-that was exciting 4y
63 likes6 stack adds4 comments
blurb
Bookworm54
post image
OriginalCyn620 👍🏻📚🖋 4y
30 likes1 comment
blurb
fire_skyee

If you're looking for a survivalist based story with a twist of feminism, this is the book for you. It reminded me of some of my first chapter books as a young girl (The Box Car Children) with and adult twist. Kept me engaged and sometimes at the edge of my seat!

review
Bookworm54
post image
Pickpick

I liked this, but I didn‘t love it.

I found some of the diary entries difficult to follow and the font made it even harder to read.
I also found it very difficult to like most of the people the unnamed midwife comes across, and to like the midwife herself.

Despite this I enjoyed the premise, liked the plot, and it is overall a pick :)

#TBR

jb72 Oh no...I hate when a book has bad font. 5y
Smrloomis That font was the worst 😂 @jb72 I‘m with you on that. 5y
50 likes2 comments
blurb
Bookworm54
post image

My goals for #JumpStart2020 were to read for 1 hour a day, and to complete two books (River Marked and Influential Magic) that I had already started.

I managed to stick to my 1 hour per day (except for today) and surpassed my goal of finishing the original 2 books, by finishing 4 books, getting 50% of the way through The Book of the Unnamed Midwife, and about a third of the way through The Good, the Bad, and the Undead.

Thanks for the kick! :)

hexytome I'm on River Marked now. Loved The Good, The Bad, & The Undead 5y
Lizpixie Well done! I‘m so happy it helped to start your reading year off right!🙌 5y
Clwojick Way to go! You crushed this Readathon! 5y
38 likes3 comments
review
Ubookquitous
post image
Pickpick

A pretty good apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic novel that does well with the horrors of the event that causes the apocalypse as well as the immediate years following. 2019 no. 18

review
shejustlovesbooks
post image
Pickpick

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟⠀
What I Loved: It is written as a diary. I loved that the author wrapped up loose ends.
How I Felt: This book was gritty and raw and so GREAT!⠀
To Read or Not To Read: Everyone should read unless any of this bothers you:
offensive language/sexual scenes warning.
An epidemic wipes out most humans. Birth rate survival is 0%. The Unnamed Midwife awakens from her fever in the aftermath tries to survive. She documents in her diary.

7 likes1 stack add
review
MeJeMiller
post image
Panpan

I couldn‘t finish this. Not my type of writing and couldn‘t get into it.

review
Reagan
post image
Pickpick

I‘m out so enjoy the stock image I took a screenshot of 🤷‍♀️ loved it, loved it, loved it. It reminded me of The Road but in all good ways. It‘s completely different but that lovely type of post apocalyptic fiction that makes you think “Shit, that‘s probably not far off. We‘re all going to die.” Beware, this was an uncomfortable and haunting read. Upside, there is way less cannibalism in this than in The Road.

Louise Three cheers for less cannibalism! 😂 5y
40 likes2 stack adds1 comment
blurb
Reagan
post image

Hmmm, this is really feel good so far... just kidding. Yikes, dystopian fiction in which a plague mostly wipes out women. Guess what happens to the ones who survive 😳 actually, don‘t.

I am enjoying it, but I had nightmares when I read The Road and this is bringing back memories of that book. Definitely ⚠️ for rape (first chapter).

Samplergal Too close. 5y
Avanders 😆😆 your first line has me cracking up! 5y
41 likes2 comments
review
Rissreads
post image
Pickpick

This book is described as a feminist dystopian novel.
I loved it!
Some kind of illness wipes out society, of the survivors there is 1 woman to every 10 men. Because of this it becomes a very dangerous place for women and they are often taken as sex slaves. This book covers very dark themes.
It is the first book of three and I will definitely read the others.

MrsMalaprop Oh my Nerissa, how can I resist a feminist dystopian novel? Stacked! 5y
41 likes4 stack adds1 comment
review
cathysaid
post image
Pickpick

What does it take to live in a post apocalyptic world? In this #debut novel, the characters Meg Elison creates seem to survive not through sheer force of will, but instead by embracing and utilizing human weakness...particularly one‘s own. Engaging and often bizarre, this is not normally a genre I enjoy, so I‘m glad I took a chance with this #BlameItOnLitsy pick. Surprisingly, I quite liked it! 3.5/5 ⭐️

(Image from video game: Rage)

Trashcanman All I need is an endless supply of spam. 5y
Trashcanman Oh and a can opener. 5y
Trashcanman Wait, do they have pop top lids? 🤔 5y
cathysaid @Trashcanman Here's hoping, cause that shit is the only foodstuff that will survive besides twinkies! 5y
56 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
Lexicon1982
post image
Mehso-so

Where to start with this book..the plot and concept are unique and intriguing really makes you think about “what if only a few women were left on earth.. how would men handle it?”. My issue with this book is the writing style, a bit disjointed. made the story line erratic in parts. I did finish the book feeling like a bunch of questions were unanswered. I guess can‘t like them all, but read for yourself and make your own opinion!

blurb
cathysaid
post image

Why oh why do publishers do this? It makes me grumpy. 😡

Now get off my lawn.

#Iamoldandneedclearfonts

review
sprainedbrain
post image
Pickpick

One of the better dystopian novels I‘ve read... yes it‘s another life-after-the-apocalyptic-pandemic story, but I thought it was a unique take on it with excellent writing and a complex and believable main character. The illness wiped out nearly everyone, but hit women, babies, and kids the hardest, leaving very few women in an increasingly violent, dangerous world. This is really, really dark... but I couldn‘t stop listening.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Soubhiville I loved this too! 5y
118 likes9 stack adds1 comment
blurb
StayCurious
post image

#wanderingjune @Cinfhen @BarbaraBB #roadtonowhere This is a dystopian sci-fi series that I recently added to my TBR. It looks really interesting!

BarbaraBB I don‘t know these series. Looking forward to your thoughts! 💕 5y
Cinfhen I loved the first book (tagged) it was awesome, I was a little disappointed with book two but I didn‘t know there was a book 3!!! Need to investigate 😁thanks for posting and sharing 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 5y
TheDrunkenLibrarian I just might have to look into these. Thank so much for sharing! 5y
See All 6 Comments
TrishB I need to read book three! 5y
Geeklet I really liked the first one. The second one wasn‘t for me. I‘ve had the third one since it came out. I need to read it. The first one is excellent. 5y
TNbookworm @TrishB me too! 5y
54 likes6 comments
review
LittleMummyMe
post image
Mehso-so

This was an ok book for me. Nothing fantastic.
There were some elements of the story I loved and some I just found boring to read about.
I liked the ending concerning the protagonist...the part of the ending that sets up for the next novel in the series didn't catch my interest and I don't think I'll read it.

review
BookaholicNatty
post image
Pickpick

This book was soooo good!! I didn‘t realize it was a part of a series. I originally read it bc it is our June book club pick but I flew thru it in 3 days and already have the next two on hold at the library. It is a dystopian sci-fi book. It is partially told thru a series of journal entries which I always enjoy. It tells the story of a midwifes survival journey when most of the world is killed and only few women are left. 5⭐️ #SeriesRead

TheSpineView 🤩 5y
riversong153 I loved this book! 5y
BookaholicNatty @riversong153 I definitely can understand why. I can‘t wait to start The Book of Etta! I think this book is going to make for great discussion too! 5y
kyraleseberg I loved this one and it works great as a standalone! I liked the second book but the third really disappointed me 😔 5y
92 likes6 stack adds4 comments
blurb
BookaholicNatty
post image

This is our book club pick for July!! @Sarz I am looking forward to reading this! This is a story of woman who survives a plague that wipes out mankind in a matter of weeks. There are 10 men for every woman that survives so this story is about how this woman survives in a world which can be evil and unfair. I‘m looking forward to this read! How many of you have already read this one?

SamAnne @BookaholicNatty I read last year on the recommendation of a bookstore staffer. It‘s dark, violent but good. One of the better feminist dystopian sci-fi books. 5y
squirrelbrain I read it last year too. I hadn‘t read much dystopian fiction prior to this but really enjoyed it. There‘ll be lots to discuss with your book group... 5y
TrishB I loved this 👍🏻 5y
Sarz I'm really looking forward to starting this!! 5y
TNbookworm I loved this book! 5y
81 likes2 stack adds5 comments
review
Lareliw
Pickpick

This isn't usually the type of book that I would choose. I actually picked up the sequel first, the book of Etta, and was about 20 pages in before I realized that there was a prior book. Something about Etta drew me to her so I decided to go that same afternoon to the library to pick up the first book. all I have to say is I don't normally like dystopian style fiction, but this was exceptional. The original unnamed character is so well developed.

review
shaynarae
post image
Pickpick

A formulaic post apocalyptic novel, but I loved the queer representation of characters and lifestyles. I was quite surprised by how into the book I got, but I‘m not sure I‘ll pick up the other books in this series. Trigger warnings for everything you‘d expect in a post apocalyptic novel where women and children were the largest casualties of a plague and the population becomes stunted. #catsoflitsy

blurb
Bibliogeekery
post image

😳

Librarianaut ?? I am intrigued... 6y
Bibliogeekery @Librarianaut - she wore "[publisher] will not be held liable for breaches to this Agreement caused by wars, riots, strikes, the revolution, fires, acts of nature (including but not limited to the consequences of man-made climate change), governmental restrictions, or other forces..." 6y
Bibliogeekery @Librarianaut "wrote" not "wore" ? 6y
See All 6 Comments
Librarianaut Woah! That‘s a new one!!! 6y
Bibliogeekery @Librarianaut interesting isn't it? 6y
Librarianaut Very!!! 6y
63 likes6 comments
review
gentlepet
post image
Pickpick

I found it quite unique amongst the swathes of dystopian novels I‘ve read. Queer characters, after the apocalypse! A rare and treasured find.

I offer my recommendation wholeheartedly but with a very clear caveat: this book describes graphic violence, sexual and otherwise, against women and children. It is meaningful, not included for shock value, and is integral to the telling of this story. But be careful with your hearts and your triggers.

5 likes1 stack add
blurb
LikelyLibrarian
post image

Just finished The Book of the Unnamed Midwife. So good. Must read book two of The Road to Nowhere series!

wtimblin Had this on my TBR pile for ages now. Need to get to it. Thanks for the reminder! 6y
LikelyLibrarian @wtimblin The first book has been on my shelf for over a year. It‘s totally worth the read. 6y
20 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
LikelyLibrarian
post image

I won this from a Goodreads Giveaway a year or two ago, and it‘s been languishing on my Kindle Bookshelf ever since. I think it‘s time to give it a shot 📖

TrishB It‘s a good read 👍🏻 6y
LikelyLibrarian @TrishB I like it so far 🤞 6y
19 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
DragonAuthors
post image

HUGE TIP!!! This book and the next are just $1.99 for a few days, AND if you buy it on Kindle, you can THEN pick up the AUDIOBOOK for just $1.99! So less than $4 for each audiobook!!! Like, what???

(The sample is AWESOME! Hints of The Postman and The Handmaid's Tale. And a bit The Walking Dead, but no zombies. 😂)

https://dragonauthors.com/bookwyrms/2018/09/21/book-of-the-unnamed-midwife/

#dystopian #dystopia #scifi #sciencefiction #thrillers

blurb
Smrloomis
post image

Kindle deals 🎉 3.99 US for this and the sequel. I was amazed by this; I like dystopian work but not very violent depictions. Despite some extremely dark and violent scenes, I kept going and was fascinated. Highly recommended if the grimness doesn‘t put you off.

Smrloomis Also according to my posts on Litsy I read this *2 years ago* and still remember it. I can‘t remember what I had for breakfast most of the time so that should tell you something. 6y
BookswithB I loved the first one and enjoyed the second one, can‘t wait for the last installment. So cool that you posted this, no one talks about this series. 6y
Smrloomis @BookswithB thanks! I‘m surprised with so many people reading The Handmaids Tale that this didn‘t get more exposure. I can‘t wait for the third book to come out! 6y
BookswithB @Smrloomis RIGHT?!?! I agree, and so with you, anxiously awaiting the third/final book! 6y
60 likes4 comments
blurb
Tashreads
post image

I‘m finding this harrowing reading, but so much better than I expected!! #dystopianhell

TrishB Great read👍🏻 6y
sam60 It was frustrating but power thru it's good 😊 6y
47 likes2 stack adds2 comments
review
riversong153
post image
Pickpick

This was a grim tale about a post apocalyptic earth that‘s lost most of the population. Men outnumbered women and there were no children. The unnamed midwife documents stories as she journeys through this new world. Diverse, authentic, and touching. I listened on audio and loved it. All the trigger warnings apply to this one. You‘ve been warned but I highly recommend this if you can stomach the violence and ruthlessness of this tale.

Smrloomis Completely agree! 6y
39 likes1 stack add1 comment
blurb
Cinfhen
post image

Congrats @keys_on_fire on your Litsy milestone 📚🎉😀what a fun idea for a giveaway #L2Kgiveaway

Dec 31, 1999 was spent at a low key New Years Eve Party...most of us were new parents and just thrilled to be out of the house 😜

Tagged book was the first book that made me appreciate the apocalyptic genre. It‘s book one of trilogy. Still waiting for book 3.

A definite feel good read was The One in a Million Boy which I discovered through Litsy!!

keys_on_fire Thanks for entering! And also thanks for the book recommendations! 6y
82 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
Lacythebookworm
post image
Pickpick

Not my favorite, but definitely an engaging listen while exercising and knitting.

Dogearedcopy This is one of those times that, right after listening to it, I rated it a “Pick;” but after a few months can‘t really remember anything special about it :-/ 6y
Lacythebookworm @Dogearedcopy That happens to many books for me, too. 🤔 6y
77 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
Lacythebookworm
post image

Thankful for an audiobook to accompany me on the treadmill today! 🏃🏻‍♀️

81 likes2 stack adds
review
JulAnna
post image
Pickpick

This dystopian novel was a 3 ⭐️ read for me. It was interesting and the author did a good job building the world. An issue with the book was that practically everyone but the midwife was portrayed as evil or stupid (IMO). The format alternated journal entries and 3rd person narration. The journal entry font was extremely difficult to read (maybe my kindle?). 😝The story was brutal, not much hope given, but I will remember it for a long time.

TheBookgeekFrau I have frequently found that it‘s the books I don‘t like much that stick with me the longest 7y
44 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
tricours
post image
Pickpick

I actually forgot to review this book! I liked it a lot, and this is definitely a series I‘ll continue with. Dark and gritty!

blurb
brendanmleonard
post image

As always, my goal each year is to read more widely and diversely, so these two are off the TBR stack. I started reading both last night and was struck by the gripping stories and the beautiful prose...I can't decide which to focus on!

erzascarletbookgasm I‘ve only read THUG, curious about the other one. 7y
51 likes2 stack adds1 comment
review
DragonSadhana
post image
Pickpick

This isn‘t an easy book to read, but as I said in an earlier comment, the author‘s protagonist carries you through it. She‘s a futuristic Margaret-Sanger-turned-cowboy-avenger; she‘s a total badass. But, she‘s human, too. She makes mistakes, she has needs and hungers, and she gets terribly lonely and suffers a great deal of heartache.

Also, I‘ve gotta say: Planned Parenthood is my real life hero.
#dystopia #womenauthors #scifi #feminist

25 likes1 stack add
blurb
DragonSadhana
post image

I‘m one third of the way through.

If rape or traumatic childbirth is difficult for you to handle, than this may not be the read for you. I‘m currently pregnant, and one scene had me repeating the mantra, “I‘m okay, and the baby is okay, I‘m okay, and the baby is okay...”
But here‘s the thing: the protagonist is so wonderful that she carries you through it. You get through it.

The unnamed midwife is my motherf-ing hero. #womenauthors

18 likes1 stack add
blurb
LikelyLibrarian
post image

More from my 2018 TBR list. I actually won a copy of the Book of the Unnamed Midwife in a Goodreads giveaway. 🎉

blurb
LitsyFeministBookClub
post image

The Book of the Unnamed Midwife Discussion #6: Would you recommend this book? If so, to whom would you recommend it to and why?

rachelm I've already recommended it far and wide 😂I recommend it to my friends who liked 7y
juliaporper Can‘t say that I would recommend it exactly. It is too freightening real. I am about half way way through the book and I find myself engrossed in the book. The nightmare that unfolds in this book feels like it could happen at any minute in the real world. (edited) 7y
24 likes1 stack add2 comments
blurb
LitsyFeministBookClub
post image

The Book of the Unnamed Midwife Discussion #5: Elison eventually introduces a religious sect into the storyline. How do you feel the introduction of a religion helped propel or add depth to the plot? Do you think it was necessary to add religious undertones to the story?

rachelm I thought it complicated things significantly, but it especially spoke to the different futures of men and women-- and how things weren't as bright for men either. The fact that so many of the missionaries were sent out away from their wives... in order to steal wives... was really telling 7y
17 likes1 comment
blurb
LitsyFeministBookClub
post image

The Book of the Unnamed Midwife Discussion #4:
This novel is told in both a 3rd person narrative and entries into the Book of the Unnamed Midwife. Did you enjoy Elison‘s choice to have the 1st person entries as well as the separate narrative?

TheNextBook I really did! I loved that the entries were so personal and intimate. But I also loved that the 3rd person narrative allowed readers to see what was going on around the world. It stopped the novel from being too narrow. 7y
rachelm I think it would have been hard to get into the novel in just the diary format. So much important action happened immediately in the scene, not just reflected upon. I did like that there were multiple diaries and letters in the book though! 7y
14 likes2 comments
blurb
rachelm
post image

We started our discussion of Book of the Unnamed Midwife over on @LitsyFeministBookClub ! Three questions posted today, three tomorrow. Come join in if you've read this great book!

52 likes1 stack add
blurb
LitsyFeministBookClub
post image

The Book of the Unnamed Midwife by Meg Elison
Discussion #3: Sexual violence against women and the enslavement of women become a common theme in dystopia. How do you feel Elison‘s handling of women‘s rights after societal collapse compares to other dystopian novels?

TheNextBook I feel like this was an extremely dark potrayal but honestly in this situation anything is possible. When I compare this to The Handmaid‘s Tale I‘m not sure which one is more terrifiying. This can be seen as more brutal but both take away the humanity of women. 7y
rachelm The first time I read the book, in 2015, I thought the world descended into madness a little quickly. Now I'm more jaded. I think the physical danger felt really real. 7y
Soubhiville It felt very real to me @rachelm , I was gripping my seat most of the book. I feel like this took the Handmaid situation and turned the dial to 11. 7y
rachelm @Soubhiville agreed completely. We did an interview with her and asked her what she thought of trigger warnings--- she thought they were a really good idea for books like hers. I was glad I had a little warning going in 7y
20 likes4 comments
blurb
LitsyFeministBookClub
post image

The Book of the Unnamed Midwife by Meg Elison
Discussion #2: The midwife made a decision early in the novel to live her life as a man, believing it safer. Do you agree with her decision? How do you feel the unnamed midwife portrays masculinity?

TheNextBook I don‘t even know if it‘s something I would have thought of. But once the danger is real and no longer perceived you can see where it was the best decision for the unnamed midwife. 7y
rachelm The male portrayal is one of the interesting aspects of the book to me. She had this whole internal monologue switch to gear up to be an alpha male, and she was able to judge the intentions of the men around her really clearly, I thought. I haven't read the second book yet but I'm interested in what further gender discussions it produces. Anyone read it? 7y
Soubhiville I would absolutely do the same thing. It certainly helped protect her, and she played that part well. I haven‘t gotten to the second book yet, but I‘m looking forward to it! 7y
20 likes3 comments
blurb
LitsyFeministBookClub
post image

The Book of the Unnamed Midwife by Meg Elison
Discussion #1: Readers never learn the true identity of the midwife. How do you feel Elison dealt with identity and conforming in order to survive?

TheNextBook I thought it was interesting. Elison made it clear from the very beginning of the novel how dangerous it was going to be if you were a woman. She also made it clear that there would be no heroes! The only person you can depend on is yourself. The concept of continually evolving and changing who you are I think kept her alert and on guard. (edited) 7y
rachelm There was kind of an "Everyman" quality to it, too. Without a set name, the story almost scarier. It could be anyone. 7y
Soubhiville I think in a new world like this you‘d have to be somewhat fluid and adaptable in order to survive. I liked that ambiguity. 7y
19 likes3 comments
blurb
BookishFeminist
post image

Spending Christmas Eve reading this amazing feminist dystopia, cross stitching, and making cookies. 🎄

We‘re discussing this book in a couple days with @LitsyFeministBookClub! If you‘ve read it I hope you‘ll join us! So far it‘s a really fast, thought-provoking read about a world decimated by a virus.

WarpedSweetness I have this book on my TBR! It sounds amazing. 7y
huntersmom1977 Happy Holidays to one cross stitcher to another 🎄🎄 7y
PenguinInFlight I was just thinking I hadn‘t seen you on Litsy much! Hope you are feeling better, and happy holidays! ❤️❤️❤️ 7y
See All 9 Comments
HardcoverHearts I hope you like it as much as I did! 7y
mhillis Happy holidays ❄️ 7y
rmaclean4 I really enjoyed this book...i thought the sequel The Book of Etta was equaly compelling. 7y
OneLitChick Cross-Stitching! 😍😍😍 7y
hammykhan Follow back 7y
djh You sold me...just ordered both books on kindle.🤗 7y
146 likes28 stack adds9 comments
blurb
LitsyFeministBookClub
post image

We hope everyone has had a chance to pick up The Book of the Unnamed Midwife for this month‘s discussion! Meg Elison was gracious enough to answer some questions for us and we would love to share that interview with all of you!!! Enjoy!
https://booksthatshookus.com/2017/12/19/elison-interview/

36 likes3 stack adds