Outlawed- Review

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After a flu epidemic killed one out of three people, America disbanded. People were married at 16, 17 - with the intention of repolulating. A wife was given a year or two,  sometimes less, sometimes more - to become pregnant and give birth. If not, they were kicked out of the marriage; mostly accused of witchcraft when women had miscarriages,  still births. Either jail, convents or death by hanging awaited these women.

Ada is the daughter of Fairchild's well respected midwife. At 17, Ada marries. After a year,  no pregnancy and Ada returns home only to be accused of witchcraft by her closest friends. 

Her mother sends her to a convent. Ada finds her purpose by copying books to exchange with the bookseller.  Medical books.  Midwife - women's medical care.  Asa decides the convent life is not for her,  and seeks The Hole in the Wall Gang. 

Not only does this book yet again remind us women are valued for reproduction, not their contributions to life/society/etc., but also how do we find our place in this world. This book provides an interesting world of women dressing as men to survive, escape notice. Women who build their own families. Love who they choose, not comform but fight for their right to be themselves.