A city haunted by old secrets, religious tension and desperation features in Roberta Rich’s fantastic debut novel: The Midwife of Venice. If you enjoy the style of Alice Hoffmann then this is a highly recommended book.
Hannah Levi is a midwife living in and serving the dirty Jewish ghettos of 16th century Venice. Her skills as a midwife are well known throughout the city though some of her methods are forbidden. When the rich Conte di Padovan seeks Hannah out to treat his wife during childbirth, her compassion is tested. For a Jew to treat a Christian is punishable by death, yet the sum he offers her in return for her services would be enough to save her husband, who was captured and made a slave in Malta. Can Hannah save mother and child and rescue her husband as well?
An exhaustive amount of research has gone into The Merchant of Venice and it shows. We are fully immersed in 16th century Venice and exposed to its complexities and the many dangers it holds for our heroine, Hannah. She is a strong heroine and the story weaved around her provides a gripping insight into a fascinating slice of history.
Book Reviews: “A lavishly detailed historical novel” – Elle Magazine.
About The Author: Roberta Rich divides her time between Vancouver and Colima, Mexico. She is a former family law lawyer. This is her debut novel.
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