The Frozen River: A GMA Book Club Pick: A Novel

I loved the lyrical voice of the protagonist as it contrasted with her pragmatic nature. I felt immersed in the life of a knowledgeable midwife in the late 1700s and slowly fell in love with her family and strong loving husband. The theme of women’s rights in this time was a prominent part of this book as well as the lack of the same. The book was an enjoyable and satisfying mystery. I hated to come to the end and was thrilled to see it wrapped up so very well.

Overall this is a well-written historical novel. Lawhon's ability to create a strong sense of place and time with solid historical detail is admirable. Her characters are crafted very realistically, which is doubly important since the novel is based on actual people and events. Because of that, the story reads very easily and readers will be able to feel as if they truly know these people and can experience the story. I liked the emphasis on women's rights and their need for justice (and how often that's not the case). However, I strongly disliked two things. For one, Lawhon presents the people of the late 1700s falsely, saying at one point in the book that more first children were conceived outside of wedlock than within. Historians say something quite different: that no more than perhaps a third (and definitely less than half) of all first children in that place and time were conceived outside of marriage. Though both Lawhon and historians agree that these pre-wedlock conceptions were almost always quickly legitimized with a trip to the altar. Given the author's generally solid historical detail, this felt like a deliberate attempt to misrepresent the truth. Whether it was or not, it was annoying. Secondly, she has several comments and scenes that are unnecessarily lewd. I know that's often the norm in historical fiction—one of the main reasons I dislike the genre—but it took away from the tone of the story and felt contrived. That said though, these weren't the entirety of the novel and I'd still give it four stars overall.

I do not generally read historical novels and haven't for some time, but this one was outstanding. In the past, I have found historical novels to be very dry. A recommendation from TikTok. it intrigued me, so I took a break from my usual reading of sapphic romance novels. all I can say is that I am glad I did. The story of Martha Ballard should make every woman who reads it PROUD. She was a formidable woman. The story is riveting, surprising in some ways, and yet the results of the trials are expected. The midwife adventures of Martha Ballard are expertly told, so vivid, so intense. I will read more from this author if this is an example of her work. Love the Author's Notes at the end.

I cant put the book down The Frozen River is an engaging historical novel that blends rich period detail with a compelling mystery. Set in 1789 Maine, the story follows Martha Ballard, a determined midwife whose life becomes entwined with a chilling discovery a man found frozen in the river and the secrets that begin to unravel in her community. What stood out most to me was how vividly the time and place are depicted; the author brings early America to life with immersive descriptions of daily routines, midwifery, and community dynamics, without ever letting the history feel dry or distant. Martha is a thoughtful and grounded protagonist whose intelligence and resilience drive the narrative. Her voice adds emotional depth and authenticity, making her struggles and triumphs feel real. The mystery element adds steady intrigue that kept me turning pages, even when the pace settled into the quieter rhythms of colonial life. At times the story lingers on everyday details, which may feel slow to readers who prefer nonstop action, but for anyone who enjoys character-driven historical fiction with a strong sense of place, that slower pace only adds to the atmosphere. Overall, The Frozen River is a well-crafted, immersive read with thoughtful prose, a memorable heroine, and enough suspense to make it hard to put down especially if you enjoy historical fiction with heart and depth.

I’m often late to the party in reading best sellers. With so many books written by author friends that I want to read, it takes me a while to get to the “big titles” of the day. Finally, Frozen River moved up in my Kindle library and wow! This is one of the best books I’ve ever read! It’s no surprise it’s been a NY Times Bestseller, GMA Book Club pick and NPR Book of the Year (2023). The stunning prose, multi-layered well-drawn characters, story line which Lawton lays out with finesse, and vivid settings make this novel a winner. Add to that its readability and brilliant metaphors, well, I didn’t want to put it down. Martha, Ephraim, and all the other wonderful characters will stay with me for a long time.

Really enjoyed this book. Ordered for just a fiction read over the holidays. I couldn’t put it down. Great story about the time period, hardships and family. Turns out the main character was an actual person. I’m looking forward to grabbing another book by this same author.

This story was well explored and written. It takes a real event and packs it with suspense and excitement from beginning to end. The circumstances are told as truth and is easily understood. A good midwife was accepted and sometimes held more strongly than a trained doctor. I enjoyed the book and will look for more of Ariel Lawton’s books to read.

One of the very best novels I've read in years, and I read a LOT! Every member of my Book Club (there are 11 of us) gave it 5 stars, as do I. Lawton does a superb job of transporting the reader back to this place and time in history with intricate details of what life was like for people in Maine in the 1800s. Her engaging details of the realities of everyday life, the harsh weather and the oppression women faced at that time reveal the inner strength many women possessed. Although this is a fiction novel, it is based on an actual midwife's life, and we are left in awe of the iron will and compassionate work of the main character. A 'not to be missed' tale told by a master storyteller.