I waited a long time to read The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. At least, it feels like I did.
This historical fiction novel published in December 2023, and I started seeing its beautiful book cover appear on Instagram not long after. Everyone who recommended it to me told me it was a great “winter read.”
I love me a good seasonal read, so even though my library had the book in stock somewhere around June 2024, I held off. I wanted to read The Frozen River in winter. And, I’m so glad I did just that.
Lawhon’s captivating tale set during a Puritan New England winter is the perfect book to crack open when the snow’s falling outside and there’s a warm beverage steaming in your hands.
What’s The Frozen River about?
The Frozen River was inspired by the real-life diary entries of Martha Ballard, a midwife and nurse in the 1700s. Lawhon’s Martha is a delightfully outspoken woman who doesn’t conform to (most) of the conventions for women in her time. She’s known throughout her rural Maine village to be a strong and skilled medic, and she’s generally favored amongst the villagers.
However, a new (male) doctor undermines one of her cases, and Martha soon finds herself in the middle of a scandal. Because that’s not turmoil enough, Martha also takes it upon herself to testify in local murder and rape cases in order to bring the wrongdoers to justice.
What I loved about The Frozen River
I immediately lost myself in the woodsy, chilly New England winter setting of The Frozen River. The tidbits about 1700s life are well-executed. Lawhon paints pictures with her words as Martha moves about the village, helping her patients, talking with the townsfolk, and traveling to a nearby towns. I really liked seeing Martha work her midwifery and herbalist skills, too.
There are also lots of political and governmental details woven into The Frozen River. I was intrigued by “how things worked” back then, even if they weren’t the paragon of justice. Lawhon clearly did her homework. Be sure to read her author’s note at the end of the novel for more info on how much was created for the story and how much is steeped in historical record.
And, I love, love, LOVED the ending of The Frozen River. I cheered out loud when I read The Scene. (You’ll know when you get there.) Martha, goddammit, you’re my freakin’ hero, even if this ending was only contrived by Lawhon. That moment was the best part of the freakin’ book.
A little romance to break up the murder
One of my favorite things about The Frozen River is that it celebrates “older” love and a solid marriage. In a bookish world full of rom-coms and meet-cutes, it’s so refreshing to meet a later-in-life heroine who’s in a steady partnership with someone she loves, and who loves her in return.
While we get flashbacks of Martha and her husband’s earlier years together, most of the story takes place when Martha’s in her fifties. Her children are mostly grown and independent, and she’s still enjoying life with her husband some thirty-odd years later. We need more of these stories, people. They are so uplifting.
Trigger Warnings (no spoilers) for The Frozen River
Although The Frozen River takes place in the 1700s, Lawhon’s characters speak with a relatively contemporary parlance. There’s none of that “doth thou hast…” kind of talk. However, the subject matter that novel confronts is pretty deep, and it gets pretty dark.
The Frozen River brings up so many troubling themes, chief among them a woman’s right to justice, to freedom, to speech. Her right to just be, really. So much of the book is infuriating at times, and it might make you want to rip your hair out that so many woman had nothing to their name or safety back in their day. (And that some still don’t, but that’s a whole other issue.)
The most intense topic addressed in The Frozen River is the rape of Rebecca Foster, which is based on historical record. Lawhon includes a particularly graphic recounting of the rape scene at one point. It made my skin crawl. After reading the author’s note, I discovered that Lawhon actually toned it down for her book. Which means the situation was even worse than what I read, and that’s pretty hard to imagine. The Frozen River will be triggering if you have any assault sensitivities.
Should you read The Frozen River?
I absolutely think everyone should read The Frozen River. Despite its heavy topics, reading this book is a delightful way to pass a few days. Much like another favorite, Where the Crawdads Sing, Lawhon’s novel touches upon so many genres, which makes it a truly interesting read. It’s part historical fiction, part murder mystery, part true crime, and part romance all tucked into one neat story.
What’s the book-inspired recipe for The Frozen River?
Check back in for the book-inspired recipe: Apple Cider Beef Stew.
This was a really well-written book – I was completely drawn in.
Hi, Joanna! Agreed — it’s definitely one of the better books I’ve read in awhile.