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The Book of the Unnamed Midwife

The Road to Nowhere, Book 1

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The Book of the Unnamed Midwife

By: Meg Elison
Narrated by: Angela Dawe
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About this listen

Philip K. Dick Award Winner for Distinguished Science Fiction

When she fell asleep, the world was doomed. When she awoke, it was dead.

In the wake of a fever that decimated the earth's population - killing women and children and making childbirth deadly for the mother and infant - the midwife must pick her way through the bones of the world she once knew to find her place in this dangerous new one. Gone are the pillars of civilization. All that remains is power - and the strong who possess it.

A few women like her survived, though they are scarce. Even fewer are safe from the clans of men, who, driven by fear, seek to control those remaining. To preserve her freedom, she dons men's clothing, goes by false names, and avoids as many people as possible. But as the world continues to grapple with its terrible circumstances, she'll discover a role greater than chasing a pale imitation of independence.

After all, if humanity is to be reborn, someone must be its guide.

©2016 Meg Elison. (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved. Action & Adventure Adventure Dystopian Genre Fiction Medical Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Thriller & Suspense Fiction Emotionally Gripping Scary Suspense
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This is a verbal page turner with one of the best narration performances I have ever heard. I was so inside this story.

Phenomenal.

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Fabulous!! Relevant to today... Women's issues, sexuality issues....survival. Set in a post viral dystopian world that could have been us post covid! Highly recommend

Dystopian nightmare

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I really enjoyed this story
I want to know more about the bee hives
It could make a great movie
If you like the hand maids take you will like this

Fascinating story

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I have always used audible as a sleeping aid, listening to books stops me thinking and helps me to fall asleep, usually I fall asleep within 10 minutes of beginning to listen, but heres the thing, The Unnamed Midwife is so good I can't fall asleep to it.... Have had more than one extremely late night recently as have just HAD to hear more. Such a great book and have just discovered 2 more books in this series.... can't wait!

Should be made into a TV series, it’s THAT good

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This was not like other books I've read but was a very interesting read. A different 'doomsday' perspective!

Bleak but very well told

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Gripping, gut-wrenching, with storylines that leave you feeling hollow and hopeless. A fantastic read with genuinely shocking moments. Have already downloaded the sequels!

Fantastic!

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I originally downloaded this book, somehow assuming it was an historical tale.... not so! I was rapidly drawn into the unusual story line, and always keen to get back to it when time permitted. I found it thoroughly entertaining throughout, and the thought that this kind of event in the future is always possible, adds to the intrigue and fascination in how the author has created a future of massive uncertainty and peril at every turn as well as how she deals with every encounter and change in fortunes. I certainly highly recommend it.

Very different!

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I am a fan of dystopian fiction and this book was one of the better ones. Wasn't what I had expected but was pleasantly surprised!

Very intriguing!

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I love reading dystopian fiction / zombie books but I am constantly disappointed that none of the male authors have considered what a female would need to do to protect herself.

The unnamed midwife has this covered in very clever ways. She is not a victim but a saviour. She is who I would want to be at the end of the world.

The story is interesting with situations outside of the ubiquitous end of the world situations (form a community, get raided, move on, repeat.

The performance of the reading was excellent

Unique perspective on the end of the world

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the story read beautifully with raw emotion and the author cover hard topics very well,

Brilliant apocalyptic book!

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