The Midwife's Daughter by Patricia Ferguson

The Midwife's Daughter by Patricia Ferguson

A BBC Radio 4 Book at Bedtime. The new novel from Orange Prize listed author Patricia Ferguson is a deeply moving tale about two sisters and the young black orphan who changes their lives - for anyone who loves Call the Midwife or Andrea Levy. Violet Dimond, the Holy Terror, has delivered many of the town children - and often their children - in her capacity as handywoman. But Violet's calling is dying out as, with medicine's advances, the good old ways are no longer good enough. Grace, Violet's adopted daughter, is a symbol of change herself. In the place where she has grown up and everyone knows her, she is accepted, though most of the locals never before saw a girl with skin that colour. For Violet and Grace the coming war will bring more upheaval into their lives: can they endure it, or will they, like so many, be swept aside by history's tide? A moving tale of prejudice, struggle, love, tragedy, bravery and the changing lives of women in the twentieth century, The Midwife's Daughter grips the reader all the way to its heartstopping conclusion. Praise for Patricia Ferguson: 'Strong, affecting, vividly depicted . . . It is a pure pleasure to read' Lionel Shriver, Telegraph (on Peripheral Vision by Patricia Ferguson) 'One of the most brilliant novelists around . . . funny, gripping, wonderfully shrewd' Independent Patricia Ferguson trained in nursing and midwifery, and her first book, Family Myths and Legends, won the Betty Trask, David Higham and Somerset Maugham awards. Her most recent books, It So Happens and Peripheral Vision were both longlisted for the Orange Prize. She lives in Bristol.

The Midwife's Daughter is warm and wise, heart- breakingly sad and yet somehow uplifting tooI've been a big fan of Patricia Ferguson for many years - and I think this is her finest novel yet. -- Jacqueline Wilson
A masterfully detailed, compassionate and enthralling story, rich in surprising revelations and beautifully plotted. -- Miranda Seymour
She is precisely the kind of writer whose novels you'd expect to find advertised on tube billboards and selling in the hundred thousands - plotty, emollient, fluent, concerned with relationships and what fosters or thwarts them, and capable of making you root for the characters * Guardian *
Strong, affecting, vividly depicted . . . It is a pure pleasure to read -- Lionel Shriver * Telegraph *
One of the most brilliant novelists around . . . funny, gripping, wonderfully shrewd -- Amanda Craig
Moving seamlessly between characters, she shines light on barely-conscious thoughts and feelings to great, often ironic effect . . . a sympathetic, psychologically acute and thoroughly involving tale * Daily Mail *
Hugely enjoyable, classic storytelling * Red *
Ferguson should be better known . . . she draws on years of experience working as a nurse and midwife to produce acute, skilful descriptions * FT *

Patricia Ferguson trained in nursing and midwifery, and her first book, Family Myths and Legends, won the Betty Trask, David Higham and Somerset Maugham awards. Her most recent books, It So Happens and Peripheral Vision were both longlisted for the Orange Prize. She lives in Bristol.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780241962756
ISBN 10	0241962757
Title	The Midwife's Daughter
Author	Patricia Ferguson
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Penguin Books Ltd
Year published	2012-09-27
Number of pages	400
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable