The Midwife's Apprentice

by Karen Cushman


Bibliography

Cushman, K. (1995). The Midwife's Apprentice. New York: Clarion Books.  ISBN 039562296

Plot Summary

The Midwife's Apprentice is a remarkable story of a waif of a girl who discovers that she wants "a full belly, a contented heart, and a place in this world."  Cushman introduces Brat as she attempts to find warmth in a dung heap and is teased by village boys.  The story continues as newly renamed Beetle (after dung beetle) is taken in by the midwife to do menial tasks as her apprentice which is the first time Beetle remembers having a roof over her head and regular meals.  Take a heartwarming journey through 14th century England as you follow Beetle who takes a proper name, learns to stop running, and figures out that she does have very human desires. 

Critical Analysis

Winner of the Newbery Medal, The Midwife's Apprentice, lives up to expectations.  England during the 1300's is vividly portrayed through careful description of relevant details even though a specific date and location are absent.  As in all good stories, the main character is realistically protrayed with fears and kindesses appropriate to a person of her position and temperament.  She also grows and changes over the course of the story, as represented by changes in her name from Brat to Beetle to Alyce. I do have a very small objection to the unexplained change in the character of the midwife.  She is described through the entire story as a mercenary and as greedy and unwilling to teach Alyce, yet at the end of the book she claims to be looking for someone to teach her skills to and takes Alyce back into her home after Alyce agrees to "try and risk and fail and try again and not give up."

Karen Cushman's style is evident in the manner of the storytelling while at the same time the voices and manners of the characters and the flavor of the times come through as authentically of their time as we can almost taste the stale ale, the sawdust in the piecrusts and the hard bread.  The information Cushman provides at the end of the story solidifies for the reader the authenticity of parts of the story that describe the practices and knowledge of midwives of the day.  The Midwife's Apprentice, both historical and timeless, speaks to young readers of today and tomorrow who also face choices about their future.

Review Excerpts

* The Horn Book Magazine, “The graphic and convincing portrayals afford a fascinating view of a far distant time.”

* Booklist, “Cushman writes with a sharp simplicity and a pulsing beat.”

* Kirkus, “. . . this is not for fans of historical drama only. It's a rouser for all times. ”

Connections

* Walpurgis Night is mentioned in the story as a night when most people are frightened to be outdoors, but not Beetle.  Find out why from the BBC here.

* For a quick overview of women and medicine in medieval times check out this page.

* Here is Karen Cushman's bibliography.  Have a look around the rest of her website while you are there.