The sequel to Jennifer Worth’s New York Times bestselling memoir and the basis for the PBS series Call the Midwife
When twenty-two-year-old Jennifer Worth, from a comfortable middle-class upbringing, went to work as a midwife in the direst section of postwar London, she not only delivered hundreds of babies and touched many lives, she also became the neighborhood’s most vivid chronicler. Woven … neighborhood’s most vivid chronicler. Woven into the ongoing tales of her life in the East End are the true stories of the people Worth met who grew up in the dreaded workhouse, a Dickensian institution that limped on into the middle of the twentieth century.
Orphaned brother and sister Peggy and Frank lived in the workhouse until Frank got free and returned to rescue his sister. Bubbly Jane’s spirit was broken by the cruelty of the workhouse master until she found kindness and romance years later at Nonnatus House. Mr. Collett, a Boer War veteran, lost his family in the two world wars and died in the workhouse.
Though these are stories of unimaginable hardship, what shines through each is the resilience of the human spirit and the strength, courage, and humor of people determined to build a future for themselves against the odds. This is an enduring work of literary nonfiction, at once a warmhearted coming-of-age story and a startling look at people’s lives in the poorest section of postwar London.
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It is amazing to read about the wonderful work these women did in absolutely unbelievable conditions! The resiliency of the people of Poplar is incredible to behold as well.
Loved, loved this book and the series that followed.
Another fantastic book about life in post-war London. Absolutely fascinating, and although the stories have sadness, Jennifer Worth always finds a way to show a little light. She does a great job of keeping things real, and factual, not pushing an agenda. Can’t wait to read the third in the series – I’m totally hooked.
I enjoyed this book. The BBC series is very faithful to the written word. I really did enjoy more detail and some expanded story lines.
I have recommended this book to numerous people. All of them loved it.
I watched the show on Netflix and enjoyed reading the book the show is based on.
Having read Call the Midwife, I thought this would be similar. The writing is just as good. The stories are horrific. What happened to the people, the children especially, who lived in the workhouses right after WWII, is terrible. To think human beings ever treated other humans like this is hard to fathom although in other settings, I think it continues.
I loved the books and also love the PBS series.
Quick fun read. I love the stories
Great stories and love the series too.
A simple, straight forward story of an era long gone. Easy read.
Too gruesome. I love the show but the book was difficult to read.
Loved this book
My only prior exposure to Call the Midwife was through the excellent BBC television series. This book fills in the details of several of the episodes. Worth paints vivid character portraits of her patients as well as coworkers. I found the book very entertaining and was always anxious to return to it when circumstances compelled me to close it for a day or so. Highly recommended. I will want to read her other works also.
This book makes me want to be a better person.
This is a beautiful group of stories about the challenges in a poor London neighborhood where births are challenging but often joyful in the end and community support is so vital. Very entertaining and full of life lessons.
It had nothing to do with Call the Midwife. I quit half way through.
This was interesting, but I REALLY loved the other books in the series!!!!
Her writing was still excellent, I just had a hard time slogging through this particular book in the series.
My favorite TV series is based on this book. The characters are real and you learn so much about England in the 50’s and 60’s.