Question 1

What is The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon about?

Accepted Answer

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon is a historical fiction murder mystery set in Maine in 1789. When a man is found dead and frozen in the Kennebec River, midwife Martha Ballard investigates the crime using her detailed diary as evidence. The story explores an alleged rape case involving two respected gentlemen, one of whom becomes the murder victim, forcing Martha to pursue justice in a time when women's voices were silenced.

Question 2

Who is Ariel Lawhon?

Accepted Answer

Ariel Lawhon is a critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author of historical fiction. Her novels include The Frozen River, Code Name Hélène, I Was Anastasia, and Flight of Dreams. Lawhon specializes in bringing forgotten historical figures to life, particularly focusing on little-known women from significant moments in history. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and four sons.

Question 3

Who should read The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon?

Accepted Answer

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon is ideal for readers who enjoy **historical fiction with strong female protagonists**, mystery elements, and stories about social justice. Fans of women's history, colonial American settings, and narratives exploring gender inequality will find this book compelling. The novel also appeals to readers interested in midwifery, medical history, and true stories of remarkable women who defied societal expectations.

Question 4

Is The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon worth reading?

Accepted Answer

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon is worth reading for its gripping blend of historical accuracy and suspenseful storytelling. The novel became an instant paperback bestseller and a New York Times bestseller mainstay, praised as "thrilling, tense, and tender". It successfully transforms Martha Ballard's 18th-century diary into a compelling murder investigation while highlighting women's resilience and the fight for justice in early America.

Question 5

Is The Frozen River based on a true story?

Accepted Answer

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon is inspired by the real-life diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned 18th-century midwife who delivered over 1,000 babies without losing a mother. While Martha Ballard was a real historical figure whose diary documented births, deaths, and community events in colonial Maine, Lawhon fictionalized the murder mystery plot. The novel brings to life a woman who "wrote herself into history" through her meticulous record-keeping.

Question 6

Who was Martha Ballard in The Frozen River?

Accepted Answer

Martha Ballard in The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon is a midwife and healer in Hallowell, Maine, who serves as both narrator and investigator. As someone privy to private community matters, she maintains a detailed diary recording every birth, death, and scandal. When a murder victim is found frozen in the river, Martha uses her medical expertise and diary entries to pursue justice against powerful men, demonstrating remarkable courage in a patriarchal society.

Question 7

What is the main theme of The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon?

Accepted Answer

The central theme of The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon is **justice and women's agency** in a male-dominated legal system. The novel explores how Martha Ballard fights for truth when powerful men attempt to silence her conclusions about a murder. Secondary themes include the value of women's work, the power of documentation and record-keeping, sexual violence and accountability, and the courage required to stand up to authority when seeking justice for victims.

Question 8

What role does Martha Ballard's diary play in The Frozen River?

Accepted Answer

Martha Ballard's diary in The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon serves as crucial evidence in a murder investigation and rape trial. Her meticulous documentation of community events, including details of an alleged rape by two respected gentlemen, becomes central to the legal scandal. The diary also represents **women's voices being preserved** in history when they were typically silenced, and it ultimately forces Martha to choose between loyalty to loved ones and her commitment to truth.

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Wichtigste Erkenntnisse

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