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Sisters of the East End
Heart-warming tales of nursing and midwifery from the Sisters who worked with Jennifer Worth.‘A second’s silence and then an almighty scream. It was the most moving thing I had ever seen … A baby, a real live baby, another human life had entered the world. It didn’t seem possible and yet I had witnessed it with my very own eyes.’Born into a happy working-class North London family in the mid-twentieth century, Katie is determined to ‘do something’ with her life. Working in the impoverished East End in the 1950s, she meets the Sisters of St John the Divine – a community of nuns dedicated to nursing and midwifery. The Sisters have been present at births, cared for the sick and laid out the dead of the East Enders for a hundred years, and Katie soon joins them to start her journey to becoming Sister Catherine Mary. As a nurse and midwife, Katie learns to deal with everything from strokes to breech births. Tragedy is never far away, but there are also moments of pure joy as lives are saved and the Poplar residents rally round. As a young novice Katie rallies against the vow of obedience, yet over the years learns much about the nature of dedication and love.Full of desperate hardship, humour and compassion, Katie’s story brings to life the unique world of these nursing Sisters in London’s East End. Sister Catherine Mary’s story was written by Helen Batten after in-depth interviews with today’s Sisters of the Community of St John the Divine.The Community of St John the Divine was founded in 1848 in a bid to make nursing a respectable profession. Early Sisters worked in the Crimea with Florence Nightingale and were instrumental in developing recognised training and qualifications for nurses and midwives. In the early 20th century they were working in areas such as Poplar and Deptford becoming a treasured part of the community. Today the Sisterhood is based in Birmingham and their website is www.csjd.org.uk.Helen Batten studied history at Cambridge and then journalism at Cardiff University. She went on to become a producer and director at the BBC and now works as a writer and a psychotherapist. She lives in West London with her three daughters.
- GenresNonfictionMemoirHistory
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
January 31, 2025
Really enjoyed this book based on the true stories of the Sisters of the East End, the ones Call the Midwife centers around.
I found the story of Sr Catherine Mary so engaging and relatable, even though she’s a religious sister. Nuns are human too, after all (these are Anglican nuns, btw).
Not thrilled with how the ending went - although not written about in a sad way, I found the deconstruction of religious life in favor of modernization very disappointing, very sad. So many invaluable things discarded, traded for trinkets.
Listened to on audio, narrator did an excellent job.
I found the story of Sr Catherine Mary so engaging and relatable, even though she’s a religious sister. Nuns are human too, after all (these are Anglican nuns, btw).
Not thrilled with how the ending went - although not written about in a sad way, I found the deconstruction of religious life in favor of modernization very disappointing, very sad. So many invaluable things discarded, traded for trinkets.
Listened to on audio, narrator did an excellent job.
February 8, 2020
I've read three or four books now that claim to have "inspired the TV series Call the Midwife", though I've never watched it. This one, unfortunately, was fiction. I guess I can understand that the nuns wanted their privacy, and I respect that, but the author makes it all a bit convenient, a bit wonderful, a bit nick of time. I also got the impression she had read Godden's classic "In This House of Brede" (sorry, GR won't let me insert a link today for some reason), as some of the scenes such as the woman waiting to hear whether she has been admitted to solemn profession or not were awfully familiar.
Another thing I stumbled over were some of the author's misconceptions, if I can use that in talking about a book about midwives. Iknow that there were other Anglican orders (and still are) that wore the habit and took solemn vows well before 1945. I direct the attention of the interested reader to the life of Dora Pattison. Batten's explanation of a woman and her baby being "churched" was rather odd as well; anyone who knows their Bible knows that it goes back to Mary and Joseph going to the temple 40 days after Jesus' birth, which is why infant baptism is still practiced among Anglicans, Lutherans etc. However, Batten prefers to speak of it as some sort of "repressive" ceremony, which it is not. I suppose I should be grateful she avoided the buzzword "patriarchy."
As other reviewers have said, there was a bit too much about the Nun's Progress and too little about actual nursing and midwifery for a book that claimed to centre on those aspects of the order's work. Therefore only three stars for a book that with a bit better development could have been a solid five. But then Batten wrote fiction, not fact. It's a quick, lite read.
Another thing I stumbled over were some of the author's misconceptions, if I can use that in talking about a book about midwives. Iknow that there were other Anglican orders (and still are) that wore the habit and took solemn vows well before 1945. I direct the attention of the interested reader to the life of Dora Pattison. Batten's explanation of a woman and her baby being "churched" was rather odd as well; anyone who knows their Bible knows that it goes back to Mary and Joseph going to the temple 40 days after Jesus' birth, which is why infant baptism is still practiced among Anglicans, Lutherans etc. However, Batten prefers to speak of it as some sort of "repressive" ceremony, which it is not. I suppose I should be grateful she avoided the buzzword "patriarchy."
As other reviewers have said, there was a bit too much about the Nun's Progress and too little about actual nursing and midwifery for a book that claimed to centre on those aspects of the order's work. Therefore only three stars for a book that with a bit better development could have been a solid five. But then Batten wrote fiction, not fact. It's a quick, lite read.
February 28, 2018
This came up as a recommended read when I was browsing Amazon and decided to borrow a copy from the library as I love Call the Midwife and had already read Jennifer Worth's books. I wasn't disappointed I really enjoyed reading the true story of the sisters from the show and learning more of the background of the Order of St John the Divine. It was also fascinating to get an insight into why someone would follow a religious life.
The story takes several sisters accounts of their life and work and merges them so well into Sister Catherine Mary that I forgot she wasn't a real person. Her struggles with her faith and Gods calling to her were very interesting to anyone who has ever doubted their own faith.
The story takes several sisters accounts of their life and work and merges them so well into Sister Catherine Mary that I forgot she wasn't a real person. Her struggles with her faith and Gods calling to her were very interesting to anyone who has ever doubted their own faith.
April 26, 2019
Sisters of the East End is an interesting and quick read. From the tales within the book, you can definitely see the inspirations for 'Call the Midwife'. It was a great insight not only into the changing London through the 20th century, but also the changing attitudes towards religion and the impact it had on the sisters.
However, some of the chapters were a lot less interesting than others and there is a very strong religious theme running through the book which isn't surprising, but at times it was quite intense.
However, if you're a fan of 'Call the Midwife' I would definitely recommend this book as it's an insight into the people who inspired.
However, some of the chapters were a lot less interesting than others and there is a very strong religious theme running through the book which isn't surprising, but at times it was quite intense.
However, if you're a fan of 'Call the Midwife' I would definitely recommend this book as it's an insight into the people who inspired.
May 4, 2019
I read this slowly over several months as it was an ebook on my phone I could pick up when I had a spare few minutes. It was perfect for that.
I felt I got to know Sister Catherine really well. But I am a little sad she is not real and is a combination of 6 nuns. Surely the author could have found one nun who had an interesting enough life story to be the main focus? But as an outsider, a fictionalized account is easier to write for plot and to fill in the gaps. My knowledge of the time period is minimal but I hope the changing religious culture in the context of changing wider society was accurate as it was fascinating. The problem when the author fictionalized one part is you don't know what else to trust or disbelieve.
I was shocked by the inhumanity shown the younger nuns when one decides the religious calling is not for her, and she is not allowed to say goodbye or even the others told where she has gone. And this is where I could feel the author's narrative hand. Even this event has a tidy, cathartic, timely ending later on.
I enjoyed this book overall. It's a solid 7 out of 10, and I thought the concepts of faith and belief were handled with sensitvity. But I'm uncomfortable with the fiction/non fiction cross over.
I felt I got to know Sister Catherine really well. But I am a little sad she is not real and is a combination of 6 nuns. Surely the author could have found one nun who had an interesting enough life story to be the main focus? But as an outsider, a fictionalized account is easier to write for plot and to fill in the gaps. My knowledge of the time period is minimal but I hope the changing religious culture in the context of changing wider society was accurate as it was fascinating. The problem when the author fictionalized one part is you don't know what else to trust or disbelieve.
I was shocked by the inhumanity shown the younger nuns when one decides the religious calling is not for her, and she is not allowed to say goodbye or even the others told where she has gone. And this is where I could feel the author's narrative hand. Even this event has a tidy, cathartic, timely ending later on.
I enjoyed this book overall. It's a solid 7 out of 10, and I thought the concepts of faith and belief were handled with sensitvity. But I'm uncomfortable with the fiction/non fiction cross over.
April 3, 2016
This book was excellent, not only enjoyable but education. Fantastic! Based on the story of 6 nuns but creating one character, Catherine Mary who gets a calling to be a nun. It's unexpected, she's confused by the way she feels about It but goes on to be excellent at it. It talks about faith and religion, how nursing and the NHS has changed things.
Well worth reading. I couldn't put it down.
Well worth reading. I couldn't put it down.
September 1, 2018
A lot about becoming a nun, and almost nothing about actual nursing.
February 28, 2019
A book in the end, really about forgotten traditions in British Culture. It also used to be common for women to be confined for 40 days after the birth of a child, as mentioned by the sisters this book is based on, but these days chavs and toffs and do-gooders poke their nose at other cultures doing the same. Says a lot about why we should study history properly, and why it a still needed subject in the Humanities canon.
June 2, 2020
I had an. Interest in this book because I watch call the midwife TV episodes on PBS. This book was excellent even though I believe it was historical fiction I was hooked since the first chapter and I was sorry it ended.
I like the ending because it showed the change within their order
I feel sorry for Kathryn Mary at the beginning and I was surprised that she stayed and became the reverend mother
I definitely recommend this book
I like the ending because it showed the change within their order
I feel sorry for Kathryn Mary at the beginning and I was surprised that she stayed and became the reverend mother
I definitely recommend this book
September 29, 2021
Read this because I enjoyed the Call the Midwife series (both the books and tv series).
This is based on the stories of the real life sisters who inspired the series. Is a compilation of stories from different sisters - put into the book as experienced by a single sister. It is good, but I think that it sits a bit oddly at times because of the conceit.
Still recommend for those wanting more Call the Midwife material
This is based on the stories of the real life sisters who inspired the series. Is a compilation of stories from different sisters - put into the book as experienced by a single sister. It is good, but I think that it sits a bit oddly at times because of the conceit.
Still recommend for those wanting more Call the Midwife material
March 12, 2018
Sister
A Nun who wanted to be a midwife. We need more people to read this autobiography we need more Nuns and Midwives
, life is in the fast lane, mothers have babies and are in and out in a day, not allowing their bodies to get back to normal, going straight back to family life, no resting, just like the early 20th century, what goes around comes around!
A Nun who wanted to be a midwife. We need more people to read this autobiography we need more Nuns and Midwives
, life is in the fast lane, mothers have babies and are in and out in a day, not allowing their bodies to get back to normal, going straight back to family life, no resting, just like the early 20th century, what goes around comes around!
June 4, 2018
How different from how I expected, but what an enjoyable and riveting read. I couldn't put it down.
It was amazing getting to know how the Anglican nuns lived and what work they achieved especially in the field of nursing and midwifery. The author really brought this alive with humour, sometimes with sadness,but always involving her audience.
It was amazing getting to know how the Anglican nuns lived and what work they achieved especially in the field of nursing and midwifery. The author really brought this alive with humour, sometimes with sadness,but always involving her audience.
March 19, 2018
Wonderful reading
I couldn't put this book down, the Sisters have all done a wonderful job and I thank you for sharing their dedication and beliefs with me. God bless you all and thank you xxxxxxxxx
I couldn't put this book down, the Sisters have all done a wonderful job and I thank you for sharing their dedication and beliefs with me. God bless you all and thank you xxxxxxxxx
May 13, 2018
Interesting
This book was interesting and eye opening to see what life was like in the 1950's. It was surprising but at tines funny. She is feisty too and very determined. Couldn't put it down till I had finished
This book was interesting and eye opening to see what life was like in the 1950's. It was surprising but at tines funny. She is feisty too and very determined. Couldn't put it down till I had finished
February 23, 2019
Fascinating insight.
This a fascinating insight into the lives of nuns and would encourage everyone to read it. Helen Batten gives a lively account of his times have changed for nuns over the years and an insight of their everyday lives. Very easy and enjoyable to read.
This a fascinating insight into the lives of nuns and would encourage everyone to read it. Helen Batten gives a lively account of his times have changed for nuns over the years and an insight of their everyday lives. Very easy and enjoyable to read.
May 31, 2019
East end of London
Really enjoyed reading this book,looking forward to reading another one similar to this.I was born in the East end of London so I'm very interested in the history.
Really enjoyed reading this book,looking forward to reading another one similar to this.I was born in the East end of London so I'm very interested in the history.
April 9, 2020
I listened to the audio version. It isn’t a completely true story, but rather a story based on real life, after interviewing six nuns for inspiration and studying the history of this particular order.
June 10, 2020
I enjoyed the book but it wasn’t what I was expecting. I thought there would be more medical and childbirth drama. There was a little if that. Most of the book is dedicated to discussion of process and organization of the religious order (Anglican nurse midwife nuns) and her spiritual journey.
June 13, 2020
Very good read
Found it hard to get into at first,but I am glad I persisted ,can be very deep in parts,certainly makes one think of ones own journey through life and choices we make.
Found it hard to get into at first,but I am glad I persisted ,can be very deep in parts,certainly makes one think of ones own journey through life and choices we make.
February 4, 2021
Far, far too much emphasis on her progession as a nun rather than the nursing and midwifery aspects. I felt that it really didn't live up to its title and felt more like a work of fiction than anything
March 10, 2022
Not the book for me!
I bought this book thinking it would be like Jennifer Lees books. Alas it was not. It was more from the religious angle and not much about nursing.
This was not what I expected and did not enjoy the book.
I bought this book thinking it would be like Jennifer Lees books. Alas it was not. It was more from the religious angle and not much about nursing.
This was not what I expected and did not enjoy the book.
October 8, 2023
This is basically the journey of 6 nuns in the St. John the devine (Call the midwife), so it's more a biography of the order and the journey of becoming a nun and not the midwifery side of it. It's quite interesting really to see the other side of call the midwife.
October 31, 2023
Phenomenal story
Thank you Helen Batten for this phenomenal book and story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Read this book fans of Call the Midwife and the healthcare community.
Thank you Helen Batten for this phenomenal book and story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Read this book fans of Call the Midwife and the healthcare community.
October 3, 2018
I loved this book it kept me their all night long could not put it down
Thank you
Could not put it down
Could not put it down
Thank you
Could not put it down
Could not put it down
January 22, 2019
Very interesting and informative book. I read Jennifer Worth's trilogy last summer this was a perfect accompaniment to this.
February 4, 2020
Brilliant as always!
March 30, 2020
The story of a nun who trains in midwifery. The focus is on her religious life.
May 26, 2023
Great book. Really enjoyed it.
I enjoyed it very much. Wasn't sure I'd like did tell me friend. I hope she reads it. Checking out the author.
I enjoyed it very much. Wasn't sure I'd like did tell me friend. I hope she reads it. Checking out the author.
November 15, 2025
Fun read.
October 21, 2019
The story about the nuns of Poplar, which the TV series Call the Midwife is about. Interesting read about one young girls journey through life in the east end, to life as a nun training to be a midwife and beyond.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews