If you loved
The Midwife's Apprentice
Karen Cushman · Book · 1995
You loved the way The Midwife's Apprentice grounds personal growth in the gritty, hands-on mastery of a difficult, life-saving craft.
Films on the same thread
Kiki's Delivery Service
Hayao Miyazaki · Film · 1989
Shares 2 threads with The Midwife's Apprentice: Self-discovery, Female empowerment.
Just as in The Midwife's Apprentice, you will find satisfaction in watching a young protagonist navigate the challenges of independence and master a specific trade while discovering her own identity.
Memoirs of a Geisha
Rob Marshall · Film · 2005
Explores: Cultural Tradition, Forbidden Love, Social Hierarchy.
If the struggle of a girl finding her place in a rigid social hierarchy moved you in The Midwife's Apprentice, you will appreciate this journey through a demanding traditional apprenticeship.
The Help
Film · 2011
Shares 2 threads with The Midwife's Apprentice: Female Empowerment, Historical Fiction.
The Midwife's Apprentice highlights the resilience of women in difficult roles, a theme mirrored here as these characters navigate systemic hardship and social class through their essential, often undervalued work.
The Cider House Rules
Lasse Hallström · Film · 1999
Shares a thread with The Midwife's Apprentice: Self-Discovery.
This story mirrors the mentorship dynamic of The Midwife's Apprentice, focusing on an orphan who gains professional skills from an expert while wrestling with a desire for a life beyond expectations.
Series on the same thread
Call the Midwife
Heidi Thomas · Series · 2012
Shares a thread with The Midwife's Apprentice: Poverty.
This series captures the same grit and community-focused medical work found in The Midwife's Apprentice, showcasing how the demanding practice of midwifery shapes both the provider and the surrounding society.
Podcasts on the same thread
Myths and Legends
Jason Weiser, Carissa Weiser, Nextpod · Podcast · 2026
Explores: cultural origins, archetypal storytelling, human condition.
If you enjoyed the medieval setting and folklore-steeped atmosphere of The Midwife's Apprentice, these stories offer a deeper look at the cultural traditions and oral histories that define such historical worlds.
Maintenance Phase
Aubrey Gordon & Michael Hobbes · Podcast · 2026
Explores: scientific literacy, consumer protection, critical thinking.
The Midwife's Apprentice features a protagonist learning to question the world around her, a spirit of skeptical inquiry that you will find reflected in this critical examination of modern wellness myths.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Midwife's Apprentice set in a specific historical time period?
The Midwife's Apprentice takes place in a small village in medieval England. The story follows a young homeless girl who finds a home and a new career path while working as an apprentice to a sharp-tempered midwife during this historical era.
What is the primary plot of The Midwife's Apprentice?
The Midwife's Apprentice centers on a young homeless girl living in medieval England. Her life changes when she begins an apprenticeship with a local midwife, allowing her to secure a home and learn a new trade despite the midwife's sharp temperament.
Who is the main character in The Midwife's Apprentice?
The main character in The Midwife's Apprentice is a young homeless girl living in a small village in medieval England. She eventually secures a home and begins training for a career under the guidance of a sharp-tempered midwife.
When was The Midwife's Apprentice published?
The Midwife's Apprentice was published in 1995. Written by Karen Cushman, the book tells the story of a young homeless girl in medieval England who finds a home and a profession while apprenticing for a sharp-tempered midwife.