Hi Bookish friends!!!
Today I’m back to share my thoughts on Belly Woman by Benjamin Black!!
A big thank you to Dave @The_WriteReads/@WriteReadsTours and Neem Tree Press for my digital review copy and spot on the tour!
So, without further ado let’s dive right in!!
About The Book:
Genre: Non-Fiction, Medical, Medicine, Memoir
Length: 368 pages
Publication Date: October 2022
Synopsis/Blurb:
Hailed as “a must-read for our times” (Aminatta Forna) and “eye-opening, kind, and inspirational” (Adam Kay), Belly Woman tells the story of what happens to pregnant women when a humanitarian catastrophe strikes.
May, 2014. Sierra Leone is ranked the country with the highest death rate of pregnant women in the world. The same month, Ebola crosses in from neighbouring Guinea. Arriving a few weeks later, Dr Benjamin Black finds himself at the centre of an exponential Ebola outbreak. From impossible decisions on the maternity ward to moral dilemmas at the Ebola Treatment Centres: one mistake, one error of judgment, could spell disaster.
An eye-opening work of reportage and advocacy, Belly Woman chronicles the inside journey through an unfolding global health crisis and the struggle to save the lives of young mothers. As Black reckons with the demons of the past, he must try to learn the lessons for a different, more resilient, future.
About the Author:
Dr Benjamin Black is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist and a specialist advisor to international aid organisations – including Médecins Sans Frontières. His focus on sexual, reproductive and maternal healthcare for populations in times of crisis has taken him to many countries working with humanitarian organisations, UN bodies and government departments. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic he provided frontline healthcare to pregnant women and developed international guidelines. Benjamin was a member of the expert panel for the inquiry into racial injustice in UK maternity care.
My Thoughts:
“Belley Woman” is a powerful memoir penned by Benjamin Black, chronicling his experiences of providing care to pregnant women during the devastating Ebola pandemic in Sierra Leone between 2014 to 2016. The narrative also delves into how the United Kingdom later applied the insights gained from the Ebola crisis to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Upon initially delving into this book, I was uncertain about what it would entail, but it quickly captivated me. Black’s writing skillfully unveils the perilous circumstances surrounding childbirth in Sierra Leone, offering a candid and poignant portrayal. The book proved to be both compelling and heartrending, particularly in its depiction of the challenges faced by women and healthcare professionals. It served as a profound revelation, leaving me with a deep appreciation for the healthcare system in the UK, despite its imperfections.
Reviewing this book is challenging, but I wholeheartedly recommend it to those intrigued by medical memoirs.
Disclaimer: It’s important to note that the book may be triggering for some readers. I’ve outlined a few potential triggers below:
– Detailed descriptions of childbirth
– Themes of child loss
– Depictions of death
– Instances of neglect
My Rating:
💙💙💙💙
And before I go, if you’re interested in joining in with some amazing blog tours and being part of the gang just head over to Twitter and get in touch with the awesome Dave @The_WriteReads or visit the website The Write Reads. Trust me you won’t be disappointed!!!
Mani's Book Corner 