Book Notes | ‘The Frozen River’
The Frozen River is a book of historical fiction based on the real life of Martha Ballard, a midwife and healer in 1789 colonial Maine. Seventy-five percent of the story follows history and the rest is "what could have happened," author Ariel Lawhon has noted. She refers readers to A Midwife's Tale, the biography of Ballard by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich.
All 12 members of the UMRA Book Club really enjoyed reading The Frozen River. Members described the main character as a “trailblazer,” a “real life heroine,” and “ahead of her time.” One liked Martha as a person as well as for her work, both midwifing and as a healer.
Women at the time had no rights and sexism was rampant. The character Rebecca, who was raped by two prominent men and pregnant, had no justice. The court system, such as it was, was corrupt. Women who had babies “out of wedlock” were fined. Martha could only testify for Rebecca in court (held in a tavern) if her husband, Ephraim, was present. We agreed Ephraim was a really good man, in contrast to some others in this story. A couple members of the book club felt there were too many characters.
We discussed the challenging births Martha assisted. Arrogant Dr. Benjamin Page from Harvard sometimes took over and caused harm. Women wanted Martha for their birthing, and for healing. One member of our group, a doctor, commented on some aspects that weren't quite correct.
Couples had many children, all of them needed from an early age to help farm and in other ways. Often, children died from diseases. One of Martha's own sons became mute after he had diphtheria.
Joseph North, a lead character and one of the men who raped Rebecca, sat on the court and worked to take over the land where Ephraim and Martha farmed. He had a sordid past. His wealth came from bounties for scalping Indians. Near the end of the story, Martha does “justice” on Joseph in a fictionalized scene.
We liked the first-person narrative with Martha telling the story. Also, the descriptions of the woods and landscape, the Ballard mill, and the Kennebec River. It is a good read.
—Judy Helgen, UMRA Book Club I
Book Club I May 16
Fri, May 16, 2025, 2pm
The UMRA Book Club will discuss The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon when it meets via Zoom on May 16.
The main character, Martha Ballard, is an 18th century midwife who investigates a rape and murder that threatens her entire community. She keeps a diary that contains many of the town’s secrets and is used in a trial causing much grief throughout the community.
Email Pat Tollefson for more information.
Upcoming Events
Craig Moody’s Swedish ancestors were among the 60,000 Swedes who chose to emigrate to the U.S. between 1868 and 1871, because of the poor economic conditions in their homeland. He has spent the last nine years investigating their history.
Back problems as we age and how we can treat them will be the discussion topic for the UMRA Breakfast meeting on Thursday, May 14. Paul Schanfield, MD, will be our expert resource person. He is a retired neurologist, a member of UMRA, and has personal experience with back surgery.
UMRA’s Book Club I will discuss The Alchemy of Us: How Humans and Matter Transformed One Another by Ainissa Ramirez when it meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 15.
Peter Moe, retired University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Director and UMRA member, will lead this hike.
Executive Vice President and Provost Gretchen Ritter will discuss her role and offer reflections on her first year at the University of Minnesota as the featured speaker for the UMRA Luncheon Forum on May 19 at Midland Hills Country Club in Roseville. The forum will be preceded by UMRA’s 2026 Annual Meeting.
"Third Wednesdays in the West Wing" is a pilot program for spring 2026.
A 1987 classic, cited as the gold standard of modern legal thrillers.
Bev leads at Hyland Lake Park Reserve.
Connect, explore new ideas for what it means to live and age well, and celebrate a community of continuous learning at the fifth annual Age-Friendly University Day to be held on the U of M Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis on Monday, June 8.
Abandoned and discarded is the theme for the UMRA Photo Club meeting in June. Newcomers are welcome.
Michael leads this hike at Afton State Park.
We will gather in the Waterfall Room for an in-person, summer social and luncheon for UMRA members and guests on June 24th. Our event will include social time; a plated, seated lunch; and the always popular Summer Social Trivia Game with quizmasters Dave Dorman and Mark Jenson.
Kayaking at Lake Bde Maka Ska.
Bev leads the Nokomis walk to Minnehaha Falls.