The Frozen River - June CC Book Club Selection

Parent Cafe
21

It’s June 1st! Welcome to our discussion of The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. Any lingering concerns I had that Lawhon’s book would contain abundant historical data with insufficient Laurel Thatcher Ulrich credit were put to rest after the first couple of chapters. This book is clearly a flight of fancy — much more a work of the imagination than a research-heavy historical novel. I’m not saying Ariel Lawhon didn’t do the research; she did. But she chose to have it be inspiration for the story rather than a guideline. She admits this herself in the Author’s Note, writing:

My longtime readers know how closely I stick to historical fact. It is a point of pride for me, and why many have called what I write “biographical fiction.” The Frozen River marks my first real deviation from that track record.

Lawhon references Laurel Thatcher Ulrich’s work several times and ends the Author’s Note with a long quote from A Midwife’s Tale. Perhaps the criticism (in the article I posted earlier) of Lawhon being somewhat “ungenerous” with credit stemmed from not mentioning Ulrich enough in book tours; I don’t know.

As for the story, it was indeed a page-turner as @jerseysouthmomchess said. But oh so many characters! Between the Ballards and the Pollards and the Sallys and the Sarahs, my head was sometimes spinning. And Lawhon comments in the notes that she changed a few historical names to avoid an excess of Hannahs. :upside_down_face: All The Frozen River characters Listed With Descriptions

I’m looking forward to hearing all of your thoughts!

There will be spoilers going forward and I know a few of you are still reading, so proceed with caution. Discussion questions to follow for those who like to peruse / use them. It’s a popular book, so easy to find questions. I’ll post two sets.

1 Like
22

Discussion Questions #1

1. How did life in Hallowell in 1789 surprise you? Did the characters act as you expected for the historical period? What revelations were most interesting to you? How does our contemporary notion of the American dream apply to these characters?

2. Throughout the novel, Martha is frequently called to deliver babies from women of all walks of life. Have you or anyone you know delivered a child with the assistance of a midwife? Which laboring mother did you feel most connected to?

3. “Memory is a wicked thing that warps and twists. But paper and ink receive the truth without emotion, and they read it back without partiality.” (p 39) Martha’s diary is a critical component of the novel, and a key piece of evidence in Rebecca’s trial. Have you ever kept a diary? If not, did reading THE FROZEN RIVER influence you to start?

4. Much of the novel’s action focuses on the legal process surrounding Rebecca Forster’s assault and Martha’s testimony. Were you surprised at the way the 18th-century judicial process unfolded? Do you think Rebecca’s story would have been received differently in a contemporary courtroom?

5. The Ballards are an incredibly close-knit family. Did you have a favorite character among Martha and Ephraim’s brood? Was there a relationship between one of Martha’s children and their suitors that you were particularly cheering for?

6. Experts are few and far between in Hallowell, making Martha and Doctor’s medical knowledge all the more important, and making Doctor Page’s poor advice especially dangerous. Would you have acted differently in Martha’s place to warn the townspeople about Page?

7. Martha and her daughters spend much of the novel immersed in everyday household labor such as making candles, baking bread, weaving and killing chickens. Were there any 1780s tasks you’d be interested to try for yourself?

8. What did you think of the way Martha and Ephraim’s past is revealed in the interstitial chapters? What did those glimpses of their earlier years reveal about them as the 1789 story unfolded? Which moments in their love story struck you most deeply?

9. Martha says the townspeople dislike her. Ephraim disagrees: “They respect you. Perhaps occasionally fear you. It’s not the same thing.” (p 56) When is it better to be honest than it is to be well liked?

10. Sally and Sarah are set up in opposition to each other throughout the novel, and Martha guesses incorrectly about both of their futures. Did you see those plot twists coming? Would you have acted differently toward either woman if you had been in Martha’s shoes?

11. Martha’s final confrontation with North has lasting consequences for both of them. Do you think justice was done? What about in regards to Rebecca’s assault and Burgess’ killing? Would you have made the same choice as Martha?

12. If THE FROZEN RIVER was adapted for film or television, who would you cast in the leading roles? Are there any components of the story you think would be especially striking to see acted out on screen?

13. Did you read the author’s note? If so, did it change your evaluation of Martha’s life and the story of the “year of the long winter?”https://www.readinggroupguides.com/reviews/the-frozen-river/guide

1 Like
23

Discussion Questions #2:

  1. Did you know much about Martha Ballard prior to reading this story? In what ways was Martha ahead of her time?

  2. Why was becoming a midwife the right field for Martha? Also, why did Martha decide to keep a diary?

  3. The central mystery in the story revolves around the fact a dead body was recovered in the river— a man named Burgess who was accused of rape by a local woman. What did you think happened to this man? Did that change as the story went on?

  4. The woman, Rebecca, also accused a local judge, North, of rape. Martha helped Rebecca after the horrific attacks. Why didn’t Martha have Rebecca go to the authorities after it happened? Would there have been a different outcome if she had?

  5. Why was it important for the audience to know that Martha herself had been raped, and that her rapist was eventually hung?

  6. We get to know Martha and her family quite well, including her close relationship with her husband Ephraim. What was your impression of their relationship? Why did they work so well together?

  7. While Rebecca’s case goes to court, North is acquitted of all charges. Eventually, he goes to attack Martha, and confesses everything, including the plan to illegally evict her family. In an act of self defense, Martha permanently wounds him. Let’s talk about this scene and Martha’s strength in the moment.

  8. Should Martha have told the townspeople the truth of what North revealed? Or do you understand why she kept quiet about it?

  9. It is eventually revealed that a man named Sam killed Burgress after catching Burgess assault Sam’s wife. Martha’s son Jonathan assisted him with this. Were you surprised at this reveal, or did you see it coming?

  10. What did you think about the ending overall?

  11. What was your impression of what life was like back in 1700s Maine?

  12. Since publishing in 2024, this story has seen huge success, and is a big bestseller. Why do you think this story has resonated with so many people?Book Club Questions for The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon - Book Club Chat

1 Like
24

I really enjoyed the book but I felt that Martha’s character was too 21st century so I didn’t find her very modern thinking believable for that time period.

I kept drawing comparisons in my head to Outlander and Claire. Their characters were very similar but Claire was plopped into that setting from a different time so it made sense to me that she’d have very different sensibilities than her community.

4 Likes
25

In that tine period, women were always the ones who were blamed if they were raped or assaulted. Having only make jurors (which was accurate for the time period) helped ensure that their views were how justice was administered.

Fines and penalties levied seemed pretty harsh, especially given how poor most of the community was. Sadly, might and power allowed people to abuse others then and sadly now as well.

It is unfortunate that Harvard didn’t include and practical training in ob/gyn and that the doctor they trained who settled in Maine (Dr Page) was not able to handle the deliveries well.

Film about “Life of a Midwife,” made their lives out to be very challenging, especially as they aged and their kids started their own families.

I found the book very absorbing but am very glad I’ve been able to find and switch to more competent medical providers when I had difficulty with ones I’ve had. Sadly many of the community didn’t have many options.

2 Likes
26

While I enjoyed reading the book and found it quite a page-turner, I too, found the voice of the characters especially that of Martha way too 21st century. While you might not want to have her speak like a real 18th century woman, I think throwing in archaic words from time to time helps anchor you in the past. I’m old enough not to be surprised by any of the jury verdicts.

In answer to the first question, both my SIL’s had homebirths with midwives although one ended up getting a c-section for the first after a very long labor. I had my second birth with a midwife, but she worked out of a hospital. I was very happy to have the best of both worlds.

27

I also enjoyed this book. Other than the many characters to keep track of, it was an easy read and kept my interest throughout.

Martha’s progressive views, and willingness to say them outloud, was a little out of synch for the times, but fortunately she was not the only woman of that era to question the inequity of women’s rights. One high profile woman was Abigail Adams. Abigail advocated for women’s rights as first lady under the John Adams administration, 1797-1801. Thank you 18th century women!

I started listening to the book in the car with my husband on a recent trip. We didn’t get too far into the story before he noticed Martha’s negative comments about the different men being introduced. She didn’t really have too many nice things to say about men, especially at the start, before we met her husband. I’ll confess to not really getting the same negative impression as my husband, so I went back and reread the beginning. He was right, she didn’t have too many nice things to say about men. He did not continue with the book.

2 Likes
28

I also felt that Martha was overly “modern.” I’m trying to find examples of attitudes and beliefs that would have reflected the times, and am not coming up with anything. Even her protectiveness of her daughters is no different from a contemporary mother worrying when the kids go out on a Saturday night.

And her husband is just too perfect.

That said, it was indeed a page turner and I had multiple moments of appreciating how far women’s rights have expanded over the years.

3 Likes
29

I really enjoyed this book. The writing style flows well and really captures some of the environment of the times. However, I do agree with previous posters that Martha seems a bit too modern for that age. And were men of that time period really so accepting of their wives’ pregnancies by other men?
Ephraim was almost cloyingly perfect… found this character to be a bit unbelievable.
The Author Note at the end was much appreciated. It clarified what was fact and what was fiction and the author’s justification for how she wrote this book.

2 Likes
30

Neither I nor anyone I know had a home birth nor a midwife. I do know a young woman who went back to school, to becomes midwife and another woman who recently retired who was involved in labor and delivery. I know a retired ob/gyn as well who said he gets the same set (low) payment from insurer for all services he renders the pregnant woman, from pregnancy through labor & delivery, no matter his complicated, long and whether it’s early morning, weekend, holiday, whatever.

I have only had male ob/gyns. Never have known any females but would have been interested.

My deliveries were uncomplicated but both in hospital. S (my 1st) took many hours of labor while D was born about an hour after we arrived at the hospital. Both were healthy kids and delivered head 1st.

31

In 2016, I started seeing female internist and in 2023 I started seeing female lung doctor. My mom and dad had a female geriatrician. I think sometimes they are more empathetic than the male MDs I’ve seen over the years. I only switched because my older male MDs were retiring but am quite pleased with the new MDs.strong text

32

I agree with the comments above. In addition to modern sensibilities, Martha (or others) occasionally used contemporary phrases that took me out of the moment.

As I read the book, I also thought Ephraim was too good to be true. The “I-won’t-touch-you-until-you’re-ready” honeymoon bordered on romance novel. But when I was done, I read the acknowledgements, where Ariel Lawhon writes about her husband Ashley:

He is the inspiration for every touching thing that Martha Ballard says about marriage in this book. He’s the reason that I have no interest in writing about bad marriages. He makes me laugh every day. He lets me sleep in every day. He is my best friend, my safe place, my one and only lover. I am who I am today because he has loved me well. That is a thing I will never take for granted.

So I will soften my criticism a bit and say that if art is imitating life in the book, what a blessing. I’m happy for Ariel & Ashley and Martha & Ephraim. :revolving_hearts:

7 Likes
33

Re the trial, not only did I not expect justice for Rebecca Foster, I was frankly surprised that there was a trial at all. In that way, the populace was more advanced than I thought it would be in 1789. I think the verdict would go the same way today, 235 years later, except that we have photos, rape kits, and DNA tests to support the victim’s testimony.

5 Likes
34

I also enjoyed the book and found it engrossing. That said, I agree with everyone else about parts of it being “too modern.” Several times while I was reading I had to remind myself that the time period in the book is not too long after the Revolution.

I went to college in ME, and am, in fact, headed back for Reunion this weekend. Driving there will take us through Hallowell, at least on the highway. From the book, the picture in my mind of the town is more “civilized” than it probably was in reality at that time.

4 Likes
35

It looks like the oldest houses in Hallowell date to just after the events in the book. 1790s. Here are four of them: Historic Hallowell - Historic Hallowell Homes

1 Like
36

Here’s some detailed info from the Martha Ballard walking tour in Hallowell: https://dohistory.org/martha/MB_WalkingTour.pdf

3 Likes
37

Interesting so the Hallowell of the story is actually now all in Augusta! When I searched on Google Maps for Bond Brook and followed the brook down towards the river someone has actually located the Ballard Mill, but there is nothing there now! (Well a modern dam is there.)

Thanks for the document Mary this caught my eye.

A biographical memoir of [Doctor] Page states that he attended three
thousand births during his career. The reliability of the
memoir is suspect, however, because it also states that he
never lost an infant.

We always knew he was a jerk!

4 Likes
38

That is so awesome. And those were quite substantial looking houses!

I love how the first link included two references from Martha Ballard’s day book for the two times she visited there professionally. I was also surprise to see that only 21 pages were used for the two years that separates those visits. That’s about only about one page a month.

39

She used a lot of abbreviations. Paper and ink was expensive!

1 Like
40

I loved the book. To be transported back to that time and to see some of the trials of both women and men of that time frame. Martha was inspiring and humble at the same time. The laws regarding woman and their lack of power were appalling.

I didn’t really think about the book sounding too modern. There was enough of Martha’s diary to bring back the era. I would rather the book read modern than sound fake, as I felt Heyer did in “A Civil Contract”.

I wonder what Martha would think about her being known about and discussed over 200 years after her death. That some of her descendants became famous shows that her spirit lives on. With all of her children and grandchildren, I wonder how many of her descendants know about her and appreciate her today.

6 Likes