The wrong book?

Have any of you read The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon? I had read good reviews about it, so put it on hold at the library. Since I was something like 360 on the list, I figured it would be a while before it was my turn. But due to the unfathomable workings of the library hold system, I got a notice it was waiting for me earlier this past week. You just can't ask why and instead enjoy the book. Since I had just finished a book, this is exactly what I did.

The beginning was really promising. I liked the author's writing style, I was engaged in the story pretty immediately, and I loved the main character. All good, right? Except having read a little farther, I'm just not sure this is the right time for this book. 

For those who aren't familiar with it, the story is set in the 1790's in Maine and involves a midwife and a body found frozen in the nearby river. Not too far in, we meet a new character who has just arrived in the village; a doctor (male, of course) who went to Harvard. The interchange between the doctor and the midwife is, while accurate for the period, absolutely infuriating. I'm just not sure I'm up for more things which make me feel such heightened emotions. 

Along with feeling infuriated, I am also feeling significant dread that something awful is going to happen to the characters I really like. (I'm trying to be circumspect because I hate spoilers.) I'm not sure I'm up for grief and despair anymore than I am fury. It is a testament to the author's skill that I care so much about the characters.

So readers, for those of you who have read it, should I continue or set it aside for a less perilous time? Are there generally positive resolutions at the end? Can I trust the author to not kill off likeable characters? I don't necessarily need to know what happens, but instead know that all ends well. 

Comments

Anonymous said…
I found Frozen River to be a beautifully written book. You will be happy that you read it.
3/15/2025 10:57 PM
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