What do you think?
Rate this book
Call the Midwife
Life in London’s docklands in the 1950s was tough. The brothels of Cable Street, the Kray brothers and gang warfare, the meths drinkers in the bombsites—this was the world that Jennifer Worth entered when she became a midwife at the age of twenty-two. Babies were born in slum conditions, often with no running water.
Jennifer Worth describes the romance and beauty of the great port of London, the bug-infested tenements, the spectre of disease, the sense of community and the incredible resilience of women who bore more than ten children. Funny, disturbing and moving, Call the Midwife brings to life a world that has now changed beyond measure.
Jennifer Worth describes the romance and beauty of the great port of London, the bug-infested tenements, the spectre of disease, the sense of community and the incredible resilience of women who bore more than ten children. Funny, disturbing and moving, Call the Midwife brings to life a world that has now changed beyond measure.
340 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2008
About the author
Jennifer Worth
19 books988 followersWorth, born Jennifer Lee while her parents were on holiday in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, was raised in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. After leaving school at the age of 14, she learned shorthand and typing and became the secretary to the head of Dr Challoner's Grammar School. She then trained as a nurse at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, and moved to London to receive training to become a midwife.
Lee was hired as a staff nurse at the London Hospital in Whitechapel in the early 1950s. With the Sisters of St John the Divine, an Anglican community of nuns, she worked to aid the poor. She was then a ward sister at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital in Bloomsbury, and later at the Marie Curie Hospital in Hampstead.
She married the artist Philip Worth in 1963, and they had two daughters.
Worth retired from nursing in 1973 to pursue her musical interests. In 1974, she received a licentiate of the London College of Music, where she taught piano and singing. She obtained a fellowship in 1984. She performed as a soloist and with choirs throughout Britain and Europe.
She later began writing, and her first volume of memoirs, 'Call the Midwife', was published in 2002. The book became a bestseller when it was reissued in 2007. 'Shadows of the Workhouse' (2005; reissued 2008) and 'Farewell to the East End' (2009) also became bestsellers. The trilogy sold almost a million copies in the UK alone. In a fourth volume of memoirs 'In the Midst of Life', published in 2010, Worth reflects on her later experiences caring for the terminally ill.
Worth was highly critical of Mike Leigh's 2004 film Vera Drake, for depicting the consequences of illegal abortions unrealistically. She argued that the method shown in the movie, far from being fairly quick and painless, was in fact almost invariably fatal to the mother.
Worth died on 31 May 2011, having been diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus earlier in the year.
A television series, Call the Midwife, based on her books, began broadcasting on BBC One on 15 January 2012.
Lee was hired as a staff nurse at the London Hospital in Whitechapel in the early 1950s. With the Sisters of St John the Divine, an Anglican community of nuns, she worked to aid the poor. She was then a ward sister at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital in Bloomsbury, and later at the Marie Curie Hospital in Hampstead.
She married the artist Philip Worth in 1963, and they had two daughters.
Worth retired from nursing in 1973 to pursue her musical interests. In 1974, she received a licentiate of the London College of Music, where she taught piano and singing. She obtained a fellowship in 1984. She performed as a soloist and with choirs throughout Britain and Europe.
She later began writing, and her first volume of memoirs, 'Call the Midwife', was published in 2002. The book became a bestseller when it was reissued in 2007. 'Shadows of the Workhouse' (2005; reissued 2008) and 'Farewell to the East End' (2009) also became bestsellers. The trilogy sold almost a million copies in the UK alone. In a fourth volume of memoirs 'In the Midst of Life', published in 2010, Worth reflects on her later experiences caring for the terminally ill.
Worth was highly critical of Mike Leigh's 2004 film Vera Drake, for depicting the consequences of illegal abortions unrealistically. She argued that the method shown in the movie, far from being fairly quick and painless, was in fact almost invariably fatal to the mother.
Worth died on 31 May 2011, having been diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus earlier in the year.
A television series, Call the Midwife, based on her books, began broadcasting on BBC One on 15 January 2012.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
March 31, 2022
I set aside the month of March for spring cleaning, college basketball and reading books by and about women in recognition of Women’s History Month. The spring cleaning has yet to begin, and March Madness, especially for us UNC Tar Heel fans, has stolen more reading time than I expected this month. Plus, I’m simply reading slower than a snail’s pace these days. BUT, even though Call The Midwife is my only read this month, it was an outstanding choice. It is a series of collected memories and stories about the experiences of British nurse Jennifer Worth during her time working as a midwife in the East End of London during the 1950’s. Worth’s high spirit and dedication to her profession shine throughout this first installment, and I intend to complete her trilogy during the coming months.
“Jenny Lee,” as she was known then, lived in a convent called Nonnatus House among the Midwives of St. Raymund Nonnatus, a religious order of Anglican nuns devoted to bringing safer childbirth to the poor. East End was a neglected, overcrowded area of London near the docks, filled with deep poverty and dangerous, unsanitary slums. Families there were large, living quarters were small (sometimes as small as two rooms for 10+ people), and almost all childbirth took place at home. Some of these “homes” lacked running water, much less clean birthing sheets. The nuns of Nonnatus and their students worked night and day, under sometimes hostile and often filthy, conditions, bicycling several miles in some cases and balancing a delivery bag filled with supplies, to tend these women and their newborns.
Initially, I was worried this would be 350 pages of birth throes and woes but was pleasantly surprised by the variety of stories Worth chose to include from her memory bank: clumsy, overweight Nurse “Chummy” learning to ride a bicycle with the steadfast assistance of a young street tough named Jack (who eventually became a bodyguard for Princess Diana); the heartbreaking chapters about beautiful young Mary and the horrors and fallout of the prostitution trade; the dynamics of the Nonnatus sisters’ relationships with each other and their staff, and their individual backstories and personalities; and Worth’s own professional and spiritual evolution. A special shoutout to Sister Evangelina who was grossly misunderstood and underappreciated: “Well, that wasn’t too bad. No worse than a fart in a colander.” A memoir written by a woman mostly about other women, but any reader of any gender can find something in this book to relate to and will most likely learn a few things along the way, as I did. Recommended to all.
“Jenny Lee,” as she was known then, lived in a convent called Nonnatus House among the Midwives of St. Raymund Nonnatus, a religious order of Anglican nuns devoted to bringing safer childbirth to the poor. East End was a neglected, overcrowded area of London near the docks, filled with deep poverty and dangerous, unsanitary slums. Families there were large, living quarters were small (sometimes as small as two rooms for 10+ people), and almost all childbirth took place at home. Some of these “homes” lacked running water, much less clean birthing sheets. The nuns of Nonnatus and their students worked night and day, under sometimes hostile and often filthy, conditions, bicycling several miles in some cases and balancing a delivery bag filled with supplies, to tend these women and their newborns.
Initially, I was worried this would be 350 pages of birth throes and woes but was pleasantly surprised by the variety of stories Worth chose to include from her memory bank: clumsy, overweight Nurse “Chummy” learning to ride a bicycle with the steadfast assistance of a young street tough named Jack (who eventually became a bodyguard for Princess Diana); the heartbreaking chapters about beautiful young Mary and the horrors and fallout of the prostitution trade; the dynamics of the Nonnatus sisters’ relationships with each other and their staff, and their individual backstories and personalities; and Worth’s own professional and spiritual evolution. A special shoutout to Sister Evangelina who was grossly misunderstood and underappreciated: “Well, that wasn’t too bad. No worse than a fart in a colander.” A memoir written by a woman mostly about other women, but any reader of any gender can find something in this book to relate to and will most likely learn a few things along the way, as I did. Recommended to all.
July 2, 2010
I really loved this book. I borrowed it from a friend while in Dublin back in April thinking it may make for a nice read over the summer - I then found my flight back to the US cancelled (volcano) and myself slightly stranded at a hotel for three days. There's certainly worst places and worst conditions to be stranded in but I had already been travelling for nearly a month for work and missing my family terribly. I felt at an extreme low. I tried reading many things to distract me and pass the time but nothing seemed to work. Then I remembered this book packed away in my suitcase and I started to read through - expecting to be putting it down and to the side with all the others. However, I was so quickly drawn into it. I had literally grabbed it off a shelf at my friend's office a few days prior - she had yet to read it and I hadn't heard of it before.
I spent two days reading it and didn't want to put it down. Jennifer's writing was great; the story of her life, her work in East London as a midwife were so enjoyable to read & learn about. The nuns at the convent, her experiences living there and working with them - the way she brings their personalities to life along w/ women like Mary and Conchita - it was so easy to be drawn in and captured by it all. I knew so little of life in London during this period and the social history she provided was fascinating - at times tragic and shocking.
I am only just now even realising that there are 2 other books! I am thrilled about this and cannot wait to read the others. I would highly recommend this book.
I spent two days reading it and didn't want to put it down. Jennifer's writing was great; the story of her life, her work in East London as a midwife were so enjoyable to read & learn about. The nuns at the convent, her experiences living there and working with them - the way she brings their personalities to life along w/ women like Mary and Conchita - it was so easy to be drawn in and captured by it all. I knew so little of life in London during this period and the social history she provided was fascinating - at times tragic and shocking.
I am only just now even realising that there are 2 other books! I am thrilled about this and cannot wait to read the others. I would highly recommend this book.
February 12, 2012
When I started reading Call The Midwife, I half-expected a cheesy story about how babies are the most amazing things on earth and pregnancies are beautiful, so much so that you forget all the pain the minute you hold that little creature in your arms. While there was a little of that, there was also much more than that.
Call The Midwife is the memoirs of Jennifer Worth née Lee about her time working – you guessed it – as a midwife in 1950s’ London’s East End. Through her experience, we discover life as it was back then, when East London was poor and far from its new fate of hipster-land.
Breech births, dead newborns, mix-raced babies from infidelities, women giving birth to their 26th child… Many different and fascinating cases encountered by Worth are depicted there with precise details. If you’re currently pregnant or faint of the heart, I would advise you to wisely leave this book aside for the time being. Myself, as someone who has never given birth and does not intend to, I was left quite comforted in my refusal to bear a child.
As a feminist, though, I could not help but feel a sense of pride: what we women have to go through, no matter how unfair (for biological or social reasons), is amazing. While men have always been at the head of countries or families, I was left wondering if they could take any of what pregnancy and birth-giving mean. I felt empowered, even more so as I’m lucky enough to have a choice regarding my own motherhood – choice that the women in Call The Midwife did not necessarily have.
Indeed, besides midwife stories, the book takes us to the 1950s, when East Enders were beyond poor and lived in atrocious conditions. Tenements where one single tap was shared by dozens, a lack of hygiene, prostitution… You name it. These memoirs are just as much of a History book, with its most appalling pages there for us to turn in disbelief. The 1950s were, after all, not that long ago. In many ways, life has changed. But if you look closer, you will find that many things are still quite the same: while the 1960s and the improvement of medecine have improved (women’s) lives greatly in the Western World, much still needs to be done in our society, not to mention how many out there on different sides of the globe are still dealing with such poor conditions.
There are one or two things I would like to criticise, though. Firstly, I was sometimes slightly annoyed with Worth’s narration as she would begin to tell you a story… only to leave the end out for later. Of course, it was mainly meant to keep you reading but some of them, such as Mrs Jenkins’ for instance, were engrossing and it was very frustrating to wait one or two chapters (if not more) before finding out what happened. Secondly, Worth’s religious revelation at the end of the book made me cringe. So, she worked in a convent and her depiction of the nuns was fascinating: some of them were far from the pure, innocent, boring goody-two-shoes one could imagine and it amused me greatly. However, Worth makes it sound as though “God” cannot be avoided, as though all of these experiences had to have a holy side to them. As an atheist, I sort of felt as if I were judged, in the wrong for denying the divine aspect of life.
Call The Midwife is the memoirs of Jennifer Worth née Lee about her time working – you guessed it – as a midwife in 1950s’ London’s East End. Through her experience, we discover life as it was back then, when East London was poor and far from its new fate of hipster-land.
Breech births, dead newborns, mix-raced babies from infidelities, women giving birth to their 26th child… Many different and fascinating cases encountered by Worth are depicted there with precise details. If you’re currently pregnant or faint of the heart, I would advise you to wisely leave this book aside for the time being. Myself, as someone who has never given birth and does not intend to, I was left quite comforted in my refusal to bear a child.
As a feminist, though, I could not help but feel a sense of pride: what we women have to go through, no matter how unfair (for biological or social reasons), is amazing. While men have always been at the head of countries or families, I was left wondering if they could take any of what pregnancy and birth-giving mean. I felt empowered, even more so as I’m lucky enough to have a choice regarding my own motherhood – choice that the women in Call The Midwife did not necessarily have.
Indeed, besides midwife stories, the book takes us to the 1950s, when East Enders were beyond poor and lived in atrocious conditions. Tenements where one single tap was shared by dozens, a lack of hygiene, prostitution… You name it. These memoirs are just as much of a History book, with its most appalling pages there for us to turn in disbelief. The 1950s were, after all, not that long ago. In many ways, life has changed. But if you look closer, you will find that many things are still quite the same: while the 1960s and the improvement of medecine have improved (women’s) lives greatly in the Western World, much still needs to be done in our society, not to mention how many out there on different sides of the globe are still dealing with such poor conditions.
There are one or two things I would like to criticise, though. Firstly, I was sometimes slightly annoyed with Worth’s narration as she would begin to tell you a story… only to leave the end out for later. Of course, it was mainly meant to keep you reading but some of them, such as Mrs Jenkins’ for instance, were engrossing and it was very frustrating to wait one or two chapters (if not more) before finding out what happened. Secondly, Worth’s religious revelation at the end of the book made me cringe. So, she worked in a convent and her depiction of the nuns was fascinating: some of them were far from the pure, innocent, boring goody-two-shoes one could imagine and it amused me greatly. However, Worth makes it sound as though “God” cannot be avoided, as though all of these experiences had to have a holy side to them. As an atheist, I sort of felt as if I were judged, in the wrong for denying the divine aspect of life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2015
This was an utterly fascinating memoir. What made it even more enjoyable for me was that I am a bit familiar with the East End. I spent six weeks there in my late teens (30 years ago) while staying with a friend. I haven’t seen the TV series yet and don’t know if I’ll have time to do so, even though I’d like to. I can’t wait to read the sequels.
August 10, 2024
Ik had de serie al gezien en het boek blijkt even lief en soms ook even schrijnend.
January 21, 2013
I already had this book before the television series started but decided to read it after the latest series finished. Whilst some of the storylines are familiar and very similar to those from the TV show, the book is far grittier - there are no rose tinted spectacles here! I found the slight differences in characterisation very interesting - for example the main character (Jenny) is much sweeter in the TV series. In her autobiography Jennifer Worth has no qualms about painting herself warts and all, and comes across as a bit spoilt, quite snobbish and a little self centred. We can see her character change as she experiences life in the East End of London and there is a real sense of her growing and maturing as a person. This does not come across as strongly on TV.
There are some really gruesome scenes in the book that may surprise some unsuspecting readers, and one particular incident that definitely would not have made BBC Sunday Evening television screens! I would recommend this book and look forward to reading the rest of the series. If you think the TV show is too cosy, you won't think that about the book; hopefully if you enjoy the TV show you will also enjoy the book and won't be put off by the extra 'realism' you will find there.
There are some really gruesome scenes in the book that may surprise some unsuspecting readers, and one particular incident that definitely would not have made BBC Sunday Evening television screens! I would recommend this book and look forward to reading the rest of the series. If you think the TV show is too cosy, you won't think that about the book; hopefully if you enjoy the TV show you will also enjoy the book and won't be put off by the extra 'realism' you will find there.
November 7, 2012
I came to Call the Midwife, the first book in Jennifer Worth's series of nursing memoirs set in post-WWII East End of London, in an ass-backwards way. I had seen the entire series as it aired on PBS, and then again as it was released on DVD, before I happened upon a copy of this first volume in a used bookstore. The show is remarkably faithful to the books, so all of the stories that are featured here I already knew. And I was still riveted by them.
Jennifer Worth, formerly nurse/midwife Jenny Lee, is an extremely engaging narrator. She looks back on her time as midwife in one of the poorest areas of London's East End with grace and humility, and quite a bit of humor. As a midwife, she had unique exposure to a wide range of people, because she delivered all of their children. The effect of this is that while she's telling her stories of delivering babies in the East End, she essentially paints a portrait of words about a very specific place in a very specific time in history. The dockworkers, the wives and children, the burgeoning NHS and medical standards, prostitution, the effects of the bombing of London, and the ramifications of the old workhouses, among many other things.
Also, she works with the nuns of the order of St. Nonnatus, an order of nuns who devote their lives to nursing/midwifery, and bringing modern medical standards to an area of women's health that was traditionally ignored by doctors and other medical professionals. The nuns are one of my favorite things about Jenny's story. The kind but firm Sister Julienne. The sweet but knowledgeable Sister Bernadette. The brassy Sister Evangelina, who is more at home among working class people than she is her own sisters. And of course, the elderly Sister Monica Joan, who is incredibly intelligent, ethereal, and increasingly senile.
It's just lovely to see Jenny tell us her story, because we see in all of these experiences she has how she changes gradually into a kind, compassionate nurse who is more than capable of handling extremely tense situations. I also like how so much of her memoir actually focuses on her fellow nurses and her patients--it's in the way that she talks about them that we can most clearly who she is as a person.
Plus, I also just really am obsessed with stories about pregnancy and babies being born, which this has in spades. I can't wait to track down copies of the second two books in the series.
I will now confess, however, that I have not watched any of the episodes past Jessica Raine's exit at the end of season three. She played Jenny Lee and she was my favorite, and I cried big fat salty tears when she left the show (although her elderly self, voiced by Vanessa Redgrave, still narrates it).
[4.5 stars]
Jennifer Worth, formerly nurse/midwife Jenny Lee, is an extremely engaging narrator. She looks back on her time as midwife in one of the poorest areas of London's East End with grace and humility, and quite a bit of humor. As a midwife, she had unique exposure to a wide range of people, because she delivered all of their children. The effect of this is that while she's telling her stories of delivering babies in the East End, she essentially paints a portrait of words about a very specific place in a very specific time in history. The dockworkers, the wives and children, the burgeoning NHS and medical standards, prostitution, the effects of the bombing of London, and the ramifications of the old workhouses, among many other things.
Also, she works with the nuns of the order of St. Nonnatus, an order of nuns who devote their lives to nursing/midwifery, and bringing modern medical standards to an area of women's health that was traditionally ignored by doctors and other medical professionals. The nuns are one of my favorite things about Jenny's story. The kind but firm Sister Julienne. The sweet but knowledgeable Sister Bernadette. The brassy Sister Evangelina, who is more at home among working class people than she is her own sisters. And of course, the elderly Sister Monica Joan, who is incredibly intelligent, ethereal, and increasingly senile.
It's just lovely to see Jenny tell us her story, because we see in all of these experiences she has how she changes gradually into a kind, compassionate nurse who is more than capable of handling extremely tense situations. I also like how so much of her memoir actually focuses on her fellow nurses and her patients--it's in the way that she talks about them that we can most clearly who she is as a person.
Plus, I also just really am obsessed with stories about pregnancy and babies being born, which this has in spades. I can't wait to track down copies of the second two books in the series.
I will now confess, however, that I have not watched any of the episodes past Jessica Raine's exit at the end of season three. She played Jenny Lee and she was my favorite, and I cried big fat salty tears when she left the show (although her elderly self, voiced by Vanessa Redgrave, still narrates it).
[4.5 stars]
February 3, 2013
Loved loved loved it, whether it was because of my nursing background I could relate more to the content, but found it a fabulous read. I am watching the TV series at the moment and is equally as good. Good old fashioned nursing, they way it should be, full of good common sense and camaraderie.
June 4, 2019
What to do when you've watched every last episode of Call the Midwife, and you're unable to accept that finality? Pick up the trilogy of books that the show was based on! Finishing this first volume, I am quite impressed at how well the series followed the memoirs herein, as well as captured the feeling and atmosphere of Worth's sharings. I'm interested to see if that continues through the other volumes, or if the show takes liberties in later seasons.
While it's clear that the show was so faithful that it's somewhat like reading reruns of the early seasons, you do get a little more information from the book. I enjoyed the appendix on Cockney language, as well as some fluffings-out of a couple secondary characters and cultural issues in the 1950s East End. Fair warning: One chapter has a particular kind of "more information" that is rather shocking to polite society, and some readers have expressed deep discontent. I think if you know about it as you go into the book, rather than being side-swiped by a detailed brothel scene, it won't shock you so much that you're knocked off your rocker for a while in terms of enjoying the book as it was intended.
Negative reviews of Worth's book are interesting to me. Having come to the books because I thoroughly loved the television series, I can understand the knee-jerk reaction of those who were shocked by the graphic nature of that chapter and then assigned low stars according to their disappointment. For myself, after the initial "whoa, Nellie: X-rated scene not in the show!!" reaction spent itself, I conceded that rather than being a gratuitous sex scene, it is a reality-check vignette that puts the sordid truth of 1950s London bordello smut in open light. If Worth had intended it as gratuitous exposure, there would be other occurrences outside that chapter. There are not.
What I really don't understand are the accusations that Worth shares no insights, or writes poorly and disjointedly, or uses such a profound vocabulary that the reading is next to impossible. There are insights galore, and while this book is a vignette series rather than possessing a singular plotline, it is highly readable and not disjointed at all, nor is it relegated to enjoyment by eggheads.
Each chapter or series of chapters beautifully illustrates the midwife experiences as well as the nature of the East End people and their lives. Worth does a fantastic job of painting pictures for us of a different time and place and the ways the culture of that time affected the people living in it.
Yes, you will witness cases of misogyny and old-fashioned attitudes - CLEARLY - as this is a memoir of the 1950s. Yes, it is written from a caucasian point of view, as it is the memoir of a white woman who was young and working during that time. But neither is Worth an anti-feminist nor a racist. People who claim she is are deliberately looking for ways to place those accusations anywhere they possibly can. On the other hand, she was not afraid to show her early youthful foibles in both her own behavior and in her first readings of people before experience and compassion taught her the wisdom of opening one's mind.
You will also witness other unsettling relationships and behaviors, because Worth writes truth of her experiences and exposures. Different times and social paradigms produced situations that we personall squirm at today - a teen bride, for example. I do not for one second believe that Worth meant to promote pedophilia, as I saw a couple of reviewers rant about, but this family was prominent in her work, and its unusual makeup, number, and premie experience warranted sharing. It stands in stark contrast to the horrid experience of another teen-become-mother-too-soon. Worth wasn't normalizing young motherhood - she was showing the reality of low-income society before the era of birth control and a stronger common distaste for teen brides.
Don't expect a finality with this book's ending. You could definitely read only this volume without being left completely hanging, but you'll recognize what I mean when I say you won't be shutting the back cover with any, "Now that's a proper ending."
While it's clear that the show was so faithful that it's somewhat like reading reruns of the early seasons, you do get a little more information from the book. I enjoyed the appendix on Cockney language, as well as some fluffings-out of a couple secondary characters and cultural issues in the 1950s East End. Fair warning: One chapter has a particular kind of "more information" that is rather shocking to polite society, and some readers have expressed deep discontent. I think if you know about it as you go into the book, rather than being side-swiped by a detailed brothel scene, it won't shock you so much that you're knocked off your rocker for a while in terms of enjoying the book as it was intended.
Negative reviews of Worth's book are interesting to me. Having come to the books because I thoroughly loved the television series, I can understand the knee-jerk reaction of those who were shocked by the graphic nature of that chapter and then assigned low stars according to their disappointment. For myself, after the initial "whoa, Nellie: X-rated scene not in the show!!" reaction spent itself, I conceded that rather than being a gratuitous sex scene, it is a reality-check vignette that puts the sordid truth of 1950s London bordello smut in open light. If Worth had intended it as gratuitous exposure, there would be other occurrences outside that chapter. There are not.
What I really don't understand are the accusations that Worth shares no insights, or writes poorly and disjointedly, or uses such a profound vocabulary that the reading is next to impossible. There are insights galore, and while this book is a vignette series rather than possessing a singular plotline, it is highly readable and not disjointed at all, nor is it relegated to enjoyment by eggheads.
Each chapter or series of chapters beautifully illustrates the midwife experiences as well as the nature of the East End people and their lives. Worth does a fantastic job of painting pictures for us of a different time and place and the ways the culture of that time affected the people living in it.
Yes, you will witness cases of misogyny and old-fashioned attitudes - CLEARLY - as this is a memoir of the 1950s. Yes, it is written from a caucasian point of view, as it is the memoir of a white woman who was young and working during that time. But neither is Worth an anti-feminist nor a racist. People who claim she is are deliberately looking for ways to place those accusations anywhere they possibly can. On the other hand, she was not afraid to show her early youthful foibles in both her own behavior and in her first readings of people before experience and compassion taught her the wisdom of opening one's mind.
You will also witness other unsettling relationships and behaviors, because Worth writes truth of her experiences and exposures. Different times and social paradigms produced situations that we personall squirm at today - a teen bride, for example. I do not for one second believe that Worth meant to promote pedophilia, as I saw a couple of reviewers rant about, but this family was prominent in her work, and its unusual makeup, number, and premie experience warranted sharing. It stands in stark contrast to the horrid experience of another teen-become-mother-too-soon. Worth wasn't normalizing young motherhood - she was showing the reality of low-income society before the era of birth control and a stronger common distaste for teen brides.
Don't expect a finality with this book's ending. You could definitely read only this volume without being left completely hanging, but you'll recognize what I mean when I say you won't be shutting the back cover with any, "Now that's a proper ending."
May 31, 2018
Overview:
I loved this memoir! The whole novel reads as smoothly as a fiction story, and was powerful and educational. I opened this book to read the first few pages or chapters because I was deciding between this book, and another to read, and I could not stop reading! Something about it was just so intriguing and delightful (while at the same time dripping with grief and suspense).
What Deserves Merit:
🍼The writing. The writing was absolutely brilliant. I loved the detail and style the author writes with, and I appreciated this look into midwifery in the 1950's! Honestly, I thought I would be a bit uncomfortable with the subject matter. She does go a bit into detail, but it adds to the story's ambiance rather than coming out solely as gross (I'm not a fan of blood and birth-talk, can you tell :P).
🍼Power to the people. I like the fact that she had incorporated more stories about singular people (like Mary's and Molly's stories) because it kept the pace moving. Not all of it was about midwifing per se, but I really think that was the right call on Jennifer Worth's part. If it was all chapters of the same thing, it wouldn't have been as engrossing.
🍼The messages. There were quite a few poignant ideas and lessons in this book, and also a real call-out on the injustice to women during these times. I was awfully surprised about how many children women had . Some of the living conditions described were completely horrifying, and I never realized how bad prostitution was.
🍼Girl power. I think that this book does a good job of highlighting strong women living in a cruel world without completely slandering men (Worth writes several times that not all men are like the ones she wrote about.)
🍼Respect to elders. I was also pleased about the respect that was given to elderly women. Instead of frowning upon age, it honored it. The older women in this book were described with loving detail, and came across as beautiful rather than haggardly. So much of today's society favors youth above age and is feared and despised because of it. I really appreciated Call the Midwife's take on this subject, and I liked all of the nuns at the convent Jennifer worked at.
5/5
One of my favorite quotes came from Sister Monica Joan in the last chapter:
I loved this memoir! The whole novel reads as smoothly as a fiction story, and was powerful and educational. I opened this book to read the first few pages or chapters because I was deciding between this book, and another to read, and I could not stop reading! Something about it was just so intriguing and delightful (while at the same time dripping with grief and suspense).
What Deserves Merit:
🍼The writing. The writing was absolutely brilliant. I loved the detail and style the author writes with, and I appreciated this look into midwifery in the 1950's! Honestly, I thought I would be a bit uncomfortable with the subject matter. She does go a bit into detail, but it adds to the story's ambiance rather than coming out solely as gross (I'm not a fan of blood and birth-talk, can you tell :P).
🍼Power to the people. I like the fact that she had incorporated more stories about singular people (like Mary's and Molly's stories) because it kept the pace moving. Not all of it was about midwifing per se, but I really think that was the right call on Jennifer Worth's part. If it was all chapters of the same thing, it wouldn't have been as engrossing.
🍼The messages. There were quite a few poignant ideas and lessons in this book, and also a real call-out on the injustice to women during these times. I was awfully surprised about how many children women had . Some of the living conditions described were completely horrifying, and I never realized how bad prostitution was.
🍼Girl power. I think that this book does a good job of highlighting strong women living in a cruel world without completely slandering men (Worth writes several times that not all men are like the ones she wrote about.)
🍼Respect to elders. I was also pleased about the respect that was given to elderly women. Instead of frowning upon age, it honored it. The older women in this book were described with loving detail, and came across as beautiful rather than haggardly. So much of today's society favors youth above age and is feared and despised because of it. I really appreciated Call the Midwife's take on this subject, and I liked all of the nuns at the convent Jennifer worked at.
5/5
One of my favorite quotes came from Sister Monica Joan in the last chapter:
"How can you love ignorant, brutish people whom you don't even know? Can anyone love filth and squalor? Or lice and rats? Who can love aching weariness, and carry on working, in spite of it? One cannot love these things. One can only love God, and through his grace come to love his people."
September 15, 2012
This is a fast and light read that is quite interesting and makes you incredibly grateful for the wonders of modern medicine - particularly in relation to being a woman and giving birth! Men may not have been allowed to be present at the birth, but I am still firmly convinced that they have it easy when it comes to children!
I enjoyed reading about the lives of the East enders and the midwives, their work and how things have changed since then. I was sometimes irritated with the narration though. The writer's 'tone' sometimes came across as a bit arrogant, like she was a bit of a know-it-all, even when admitting she has been wrong in the past, as a head strong and very green youth.
The glossary of medical terms at the back was very useful, though I found sometimes an explanation in the body of the chapters was repeated - something the editor should have picked up on!
Overall a good, light, enjoyable read; well worth it if you're interested in people, their relationships and the setting of midwifery in the 1950's slums of London. I did prefer the BBC series produced based on these books however, as the main character and narrator (the author, Nurse Lee)came across as much more likable.
I enjoyed reading about the lives of the East enders and the midwives, their work and how things have changed since then. I was sometimes irritated with the narration though. The writer's 'tone' sometimes came across as a bit arrogant, like she was a bit of a know-it-all, even when admitting she has been wrong in the past, as a head strong and very green youth.
The glossary of medical terms at the back was very useful, though I found sometimes an explanation in the body of the chapters was repeated - something the editor should have picked up on!
Overall a good, light, enjoyable read; well worth it if you're interested in people, their relationships and the setting of midwifery in the 1950's slums of London. I did prefer the BBC series produced based on these books however, as the main character and narrator (the author, Nurse Lee)came across as much more likable.
September 22, 2017
I have seen three seasons of the BBC TV series when it first came out and have enjoy it.
I love different cultures and different time periods and I have always had an interest in knowing more about midwives and childbirth and it had all these elements and was beautifully done.
The book though a bit different had all of that with more on the different time and life- life in the 50s was very different especially for someone who actually comes from a different culture and I found myself wondering more than once how did they life like this, or if only it was still like this. It was quite interesting.
What I wanted more off was the actual midwifery and birth experiences, I thought there would be more of that in the book.
The writing is frank and could be quite descriptive and crude sometimes, i think may be because she comes from a different time and has worked as a nurse and midwife for some time.
There were a few parts that I wished were left out or at least shorten a bit.
Overall I enjoyed it and will be planning to read the next books.
I love different cultures and different time periods and I have always had an interest in knowing more about midwives and childbirth and it had all these elements and was beautifully done.
The book though a bit different had all of that with more on the different time and life- life in the 50s was very different especially for someone who actually comes from a different culture and I found myself wondering more than once how did they life like this, or if only it was still like this. It was quite interesting.
What I wanted more off was the actual midwifery and birth experiences, I thought there would be more of that in the book.
The writing is frank and could be quite descriptive and crude sometimes, i think may be because she comes from a different time and has worked as a nurse and midwife for some time.
There were a few parts that I wished were left out or at least shorten a bit.
Overall I enjoyed it and will be planning to read the next books.
September 4, 2012
A very moving memoir, although I was often put off by some of Worth's horrible musings, for instance: 'Until recently, when genetic blood tests became possible, how could any man know that his wife was carrying his child? The poor man had no other assurance of paternity than his wife's word. Unless she is virtually locked up, he can have no control over her activities during the day while he is at work.' Yes, that POOR man! He can't control his wife all the time, how sad! The implication that doubting the wife's fidelity is the presumed default position is pretty repellent to me, and author asides like this severely impacted on my enjoyment of an otherwise compelling read.
April 29, 2013
Loved it. A woman writing history, women's history. I cried every time she described a birth of a baby, not only because of being touched by the miracle of a new life, but because the description was so real, in all it's brutality and beauty. It is seldom seen, or written. This is an important piece of work. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories of the 1950's London in general too, though not all stories were equally interesting, or well written. It was also wonderful to see the author's process of learning to overcome some of her own prejudices, through working with the nuns and the people of the East End.
October 23, 2010
This book charts some of the career of Jennifer Worth, a midwife in the 1950's. She worked in the East End of London, in the slums at a time when all the tenements were being (or were supposed to be) shut down by the government as being to dangerous to live in. As I had a homebirth earlier this year it was interesting the changes that had taken place over the years. All the stories were interesting, they all weren't about midwifery but some general nursing stories as well. A fab book.
December 15, 2013
Wonderful stories of life in the East End of London in the 1950s. As grim as the living conditions were, the author found hope and resilience in her daily life as a midwife. The determination to do the best for their children and families is what keeps the women from despair and shines through in this lovely, gentle book.
January 16, 2016
Having watched the cosy, romanticized TV series I did not really think it would be worth reading the book but it certainly was. Whereas the BBC focuses on relationships and happy endings the book goes much more into the nitty gritty detaily of midwifery and life in the East End of London. Enlightening, education and at times shocking!
October 19, 2020
Nästan mysigare än tv-serien
June 30, 2017
An honest, and at times brutally harsh telling by Jennifer Worth of her real-life experiences as a midwife in the 1950s. She writes:
“. . . midwifery is the very stuff of drama. Every child is conceived either in love or lust, is born in pain, followed by joy or sometimes remorse. A midwife is in the thick of it, sees it all.”
This is real life in all its starkness without the sugar-coating and make-believe—and necessarily so. But the book is about more than bearing children. It is about life, ultimately, and living in general; of goodwill, of kindness, of understanding, and of what makes us human.
This is one of those books that write about things we may hear of in passing but are unlikely to experience directly. It has something to say; it should be read.
Quotes:
“Fictional doctors grace the pages of books in droves, scattering pearls of wisdom as they pass. Nurses, good and bad, are by no means absent. But midwives? Whoever heard of a midwife as a literary heroine? Yet midwifery is the very stuff of drama. Every child is conceived either in love or lust, is born in pain, followed by joy or sometimes remorse. A midwife is in the thick of it, sees it all.” [Preface]
“ ‘. . . If we had not met, or if we had met and just passed each other by, all the great literature of the world, all the poets, all the love stories would have been meaningless to me. You cannot understand what you have not experienced.’ ”
“ ‘Questions, questions—you wear me out with your questions, child. Find out for yourself—we all have to, in the end. No one can give you faith. It is a gift from God alone. Seek and ye shall find. Read the Gospels. There is no other way. Do not pester me with your everlasting questions. Go with God, child; just go with God.’ ”
“[Sister Monica Joan’s] constant phrase ‘Go with God’, had puzzled me a good deal. Suddenly it became clear. It was a revelation—acceptance. It filled me with joy. Accept life, the world, Spirit, God, call it what you will, and all else will follow. I had been groping for years to understand, or at least to come to terms with the meaning of life. These three small words, ‘Go with God’, were for me the beginning of faith.”
“. . . midwifery is the very stuff of drama. Every child is conceived either in love or lust, is born in pain, followed by joy or sometimes remorse. A midwife is in the thick of it, sees it all.”
This is real life in all its starkness without the sugar-coating and make-believe—and necessarily so. But the book is about more than bearing children. It is about life, ultimately, and living in general; of goodwill, of kindness, of understanding, and of what makes us human.
This is one of those books that write about things we may hear of in passing but are unlikely to experience directly. It has something to say; it should be read.
Quotes:
“Fictional doctors grace the pages of books in droves, scattering pearls of wisdom as they pass. Nurses, good and bad, are by no means absent. But midwives? Whoever heard of a midwife as a literary heroine? Yet midwifery is the very stuff of drama. Every child is conceived either in love or lust, is born in pain, followed by joy or sometimes remorse. A midwife is in the thick of it, sees it all.” [Preface]
“ ‘. . . If we had not met, or if we had met and just passed each other by, all the great literature of the world, all the poets, all the love stories would have been meaningless to me. You cannot understand what you have not experienced.’ ”
“ ‘Questions, questions—you wear me out with your questions, child. Find out for yourself—we all have to, in the end. No one can give you faith. It is a gift from God alone. Seek and ye shall find. Read the Gospels. There is no other way. Do not pester me with your everlasting questions. Go with God, child; just go with God.’ ”
“[Sister Monica Joan’s] constant phrase ‘Go with God’, had puzzled me a good deal. Suddenly it became clear. It was a revelation—acceptance. It filled me with joy. Accept life, the world, Spirit, God, call it what you will, and all else will follow. I had been groping for years to understand, or at least to come to terms with the meaning of life. These three small words, ‘Go with God’, were for me the beginning of faith.”
June 26, 2013
I read this book for a summer book club and had never heard of it or the show by the same name. I have not read much of London's post-war history despite the fact that my grandparents were living there at this time and at the very end of the 1950s my mother was born there. Worth's memoir took me into the world of my family's past and was a very enjoyable read.
Worth's writing style is nothing amazing, not that I found any particular fault with it either. What really takes the reader in is her stories, which would seem outrageous if this weren't nonfiction. Once again, truth is more fascinating than any fictional story written, and this woman has lived through an astounding amount of worthwhile tales. The book is written more as a series of short stories that relate the drama of various people the author encountered during her years as a midwife in the 1950s. Though I am not usually a fan of short stories, these characters - no people, they were real people! - tugged at my heartstrings and made me want to learn more about them.
How could anyone read about Mrs. Jenkins, Mary, or Conchita Warren and ever look at life quite the same way? Reading about the tenements and workhouses made me wish that everyone plying the government for more handouts would be forced to read a history of what the government has done for people in the past before lodging any complaint. It reminded me of my grandfather's answer when I asked him why he decided to move to the US from England (about 1970): "It was just so bad."
Anyone interested in a realistic, emotional trip to 1950's East End should read this book.
Worth's writing style is nothing amazing, not that I found any particular fault with it either. What really takes the reader in is her stories, which would seem outrageous if this weren't nonfiction. Once again, truth is more fascinating than any fictional story written, and this woman has lived through an astounding amount of worthwhile tales. The book is written more as a series of short stories that relate the drama of various people the author encountered during her years as a midwife in the 1950s. Though I am not usually a fan of short stories, these characters - no people, they were real people! - tugged at my heartstrings and made me want to learn more about them.
How could anyone read about Mrs. Jenkins, Mary, or Conchita Warren and ever look at life quite the same way? Reading about the tenements and workhouses made me wish that everyone plying the government for more handouts would be forced to read a history of what the government has done for people in the past before lodging any complaint. It reminded me of my grandfather's answer when I asked him why he decided to move to the US from England (about 1970): "It was just so bad."
Anyone interested in a realistic, emotional trip to 1950's East End should read this book.
December 25, 2018
*4.5 stars
I love the BBC1 adaptation of Call the Midwife, so decided to pick up a copy of the book a few months ago. I regret not getting round to it sooner. The first book is essentially the exact same as the first series of the TV show but I didn't mind one bit. I love the story, I love Jenny, I love learning about midwifery and I love reading about the East End post-WWII.
This essentially follows a young midwife, Jennifer Worth, otherwise known as the author, because, yes, it is a non-fiction, on her journey as a midwife in 1950s East End. She accounts her experience delivering plain sailing births, complicated births (both for mother and baby), young prostitutes getting pregnant, mix-raced babies (because it is the 1950s after all), as well as her life as a young woman living in a convent with nuns.
It was honestly so interesting. I loved reading every chapter of this. Jennifer put so much life and character into her memoir that it felt like she was speaking directly to me. She seemed like such a lovely woman, caring and loyal. She has a passion for caring about people, and midwifery was only a fraction of this. I loved it so much that I've ordered the next two books in the trilogy and will be finding time for them as soon as I can!
I honestly reckon anyone could enjoy this book. It's such a joy. I'd definitely recommend!
I love the BBC1 adaptation of Call the Midwife, so decided to pick up a copy of the book a few months ago. I regret not getting round to it sooner. The first book is essentially the exact same as the first series of the TV show but I didn't mind one bit. I love the story, I love Jenny, I love learning about midwifery and I love reading about the East End post-WWII.
This essentially follows a young midwife, Jennifer Worth, otherwise known as the author, because, yes, it is a non-fiction, on her journey as a midwife in 1950s East End. She accounts her experience delivering plain sailing births, complicated births (both for mother and baby), young prostitutes getting pregnant, mix-raced babies (because it is the 1950s after all), as well as her life as a young woman living in a convent with nuns.
It was honestly so interesting. I loved reading every chapter of this. Jennifer put so much life and character into her memoir that it felt like she was speaking directly to me. She seemed like such a lovely woman, caring and loyal. She has a passion for caring about people, and midwifery was only a fraction of this. I loved it so much that I've ordered the next two books in the trilogy and will be finding time for them as soon as I can!
I honestly reckon anyone could enjoy this book. It's such a joy. I'd definitely recommend!
March 14, 2012
I decided to read this book after stumbling upon, and falling in love, with the recent BBC series based the Jennifer Worth’s books. This is not the type of thing I would usually read – in fact if it hadn’t been for the fact that I had enjoyed the series so much I would simply never have entertained the idea of reading it. I don’t tend to enjoy real-life stories of hardship etc. as so many of them are very samey and depressing and on top of that tales of childbirth make me feel queasy - but I am really glad I did get over these things and read it. It’s packed with stories - some funny, some touching and others simply heartbreaking. Although the book jumps around a bit from story to story it only adds to the overall charm. The way it is written makes you feel like you are sitting in a room with Jennifer and she is talking to you and I really liked that informal conversational style – it felt in keeping with the type of people she was talking about. For those of you, who enjoyed the series – you will find that many of the stories that appeared in the show where altered from the original story but I don’t feel like the changes will effect either the enjoyment of the book or the programme. I really did enjoy the book and now I can’t wait to start one in the series.
June 28, 2013
I found this book through a quick glance at the TV series one night. The show was good so I decided to try the book before I watched anymore of it.
The book was wrote about the real struggle of women and families. It takes place in postwar England in the 1950's where our writer Jenny is a midwife visiting people living as best they can with very little but finding joy and sorrow in each other.
If you are fan of the history this book is for you. It is a fast read almost a series of short stories somewhat like a diary of the writers feelings but with a focus on others and serving them.
The book was wrote about the real struggle of women and families. It takes place in postwar England in the 1950's where our writer Jenny is a midwife visiting people living as best they can with very little but finding joy and sorrow in each other.
If you are fan of the history this book is for you. It is a fast read almost a series of short stories somewhat like a diary of the writers feelings but with a focus on others and serving them.
May 20, 2019
For those who love the TV show but aren’t sure about reading the book, I would definitely recommend this book. If you’re looking for a good historical book this is perfect for you. Overall, I would say it’s a great read, the only reason I wasn’t able to give it full stars is that the jump between stories took me out of what year it was talking about and how far certain stories with the surrounding nuns and nurses had gone.
There is plenty more that I said here... http://bit.ly/2WM6V6i
There is plenty more that I said here... http://bit.ly/2WM6V6i
October 19, 2021
This is an incredibly rare occasion for me. Here goes: the show was better. Don’t get me wrong, the book is great, but the show is SO faithful to the book and then adds color (more Chummy for one) that even though I watched the first few seasons almost a decade ago, I remembered all of it so much that reading the book felt superfluous and I found myself skimming. If you haven’t watched the show, read the book first. It’s delightful. Then watch the show.
January 4, 2010
This isn't the sort of book that I would normally read, but I am so glad I did. It is a fascinating look at life in the East End of London in the 1950s. It is so hard to imagine living in the appalling conditions that these people did and just shows how much has changed in a relatively short space of time.
December 29, 2012
I discovered this series on PBS midseason and the book did a wonderful job of filling in the information that I was missing. It was a very quick read and a great history lesson about England after WW II.
November 17, 2013
Really enjoyed this book! I had watched Season one of Call the Midwife before reading the book and found the book and the movie were quite similar. One of my favourites quotes is found on pg 72.
I was there to treat the condition, not to judge.
I was there to treat the condition, not to judge.
Read
August 26, 2015A friend recommended these books to me years ago when I was getting ready to move to England... I'm finally getting around to reading them now & I just love them. SO good.
If you like the BBC show, the books are definitely worth picking up.
If you like the BBC show, the books are definitely worth picking up.
January 23, 2020
A brilliant account of healthcare and life in the 1950s. It reminds us of how much medicine and life has progressed in such a short time but also of some of the things we’ve lost along the way. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews