Review of "The Midwife's Apprentice" by Karen Cushman

Bibliography: Cushman, Karen. 1995. The Midwife's Apprentice. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN: 978-0064406307

Critical Analysis

At the beginning of the book, "The Midwife's Apprentice," we meet the protagonist, who literally has no name, but "Brat." It is the cold winter, she is an orphan, and she is seeking refuge in a dung heap. The boys in the village she has stopped in to beg have been pelting her with stones, when the town's midwife, Jane, happens upon the scene. The midwife is an important looking woman with a sharp look, and a wimple starched in pleats. She dubs the girl "Beetle" and takes her as an apprentice.

Slowly throughout the story, as we get to know this homeless orphan, she gets to know herself. She rescues a cat from drowning, who becomes a constant companion named "Purr." She names herself, "Alyce," and begins to truly learn the trade of being a midwife. It is not until the end, however, when Alyce leaves the abusive, tyrannical midwife, that she realizes that her true place in the world is as a midwife's apprentice. When she returns to the midwife, strong in her sense of self, she knocks at the door, and proclaims, "Jane Sharp! It is I, Alyce, your apprentice. I have come back. And if you do not let me in, I will try again and again. I can do what you tell me and take what you give me, and I know how to try and risk and fail and try again and not give up. I will not go away."

A healthy bildungsroman, with an eye for specific details of the medieval age, this story embraces the universal themes of perseverance in the face of obstacles and resilience.

Review Excerpts

Publishers Weekly: "Cushman has an almost unrivaled ability to build atmosphere, and her evocation of a medieval village, if not scholarly in its authenticity, is supremely colorful and pungent."

Kirkus Reviews: "From the rebirth in the dung heap to Brat's renaming herself Alyce after a heady visit to a medieval fair, this is not for fans of historical drama only. It's a rouser for all times."

Awards and Recognition

John Newbery Medal 1996
Young Readers Choice Award 1998
YALSA - Best Books for Young Adults 1996
ABC Booksellers Choices Award 1996

Connections

Ideally, I would love for readers to be able to visit a medieval historic location as a follow-up activity to this novel, but since we don't live in Europe, it's out of the question! I think another interesting follow-up activity would be to have a modern midwife come and speak to readers. Additionally, if objects could be found that date from the medieval period, or representations, that would be fun - since we are not in Europe, utilizing online resources may be our best bet for getting a flavor of medieval England.