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May 2012

Rochelle Eisenberg

The Midwife of Venice
by Roberta Rich (Gallery Books, 2012)

Set in the late 16th century, “The Midwife of Venice” follows Hannah Levi, a Jewish midwife who lives in the Jewish ghetto. The law prohibits her from giving care to a Christian. But when a count asks her to assist in his wife’s labor — she is near death — Levi must make a crucial decision. Should she accept the huge sum of money he is offering, that could help her buy back her husband, who has been forced into slavery? Or should she adhere to the law, as her Rabbi suggests?

The story is rich in historical detail and the customs of the times.