Title:


The Forgotten Midwife

Author:



Laura Anthony

Genre:


Multigenerational Fiction, Mothers & Children Fiction, Women’s Domestic Life Fiction

Publisher:


Gallery Books

Release Date:


May 12, 2026

Format:


Ebook, Audiobook, Hardcover

Pages:


368

Based on the real lives of Ireland’s “fallen” girls of the mid-20th century

The Forgotten Midwife by Laura Anthony is a great work of historical fiction rooted in the real, tragic history of Ireland’s mid-20th-century “mother and baby” homes. These institutions housed young women—often almost children themselves—who were sent away, silenced, and largely forgotten. This novel is truly eye-opening, shedding light on a dark chapter of history that feels shockingly recent. 

Told through dual timelines, the story follows Riley, a modern-day woman in New Jersey, and Margaret Lannigan, a young woman in 1950s Ireland. Riley’s journey begins when her grandmother—succumbing to dementia—hands her a mysterious box containing a birth certificate and a pair of hand-knitted baby booties. The discovery raises unsettling questions: Who is the baby named on the certificate? Was Riley’s deceased mother actually adopted? 

As Riley searches for answers, the narrative shifts to Ireland in 1954 and into Margaret’s life. On the brink of a joyful engagement to the man she loves, tragedy derails her future and forces her into a convent. She eventually takes on midwife duties in a home for “fallen girls,” where she witnesses firsthand the harsh realities unmarried pregnant women endure. The women work grueling hours in laundries as punishment for their “sins,” while the system strips them of dignity, autonomy, and even their children.

The Forgotten Midwife grips the reader in many ways. I found it almost unbelievable how much cruelty these young women endured. Even more disturbing, their families often chose to hide them away, treating them like a “problem” to erase. Meanwhile, men face no accountability and even gain more power—women cannot leave the home unless a male family member over 18 grants approval. My jaw dropped more than once while reading.

Still, the women in this story show remarkable resilience and courage. The imagery of young motherhood feels especially tender.

That said, while the historical subject matter carries real weight, the narrative sometimes lacks the emotional depth I wanted. Some of the most shocking events move too quickly and with little detail. The dual timeline structure, though important in concept, feels underdeveloped in execution. Riley’s storyline opens the book with promise but gradually fades, making her far less memorable than Margaret.

Overall, The Forgotten Midwife is a fascinating historical fiction novel that brings attention to a forgotten injustice. Despite a few areas that I wished were more developed, it remains a worthwhile, thought-provoking read—especially for those drawn to stories of resilience, hidden histories, and women’s untold experiences.