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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
This wasn't exactly what I was hoping for - instead of being more tales from her nursing and midwifery career it focuses on the life stories of a few individuals Jennifer knew through her work - but nonetheless I enjoyed it and can't being myself to give it less than 4 stars. The people written about here were older when Jennifer Worth knew them in the 1950s - and people who were in later life then had been born in the Victorian times and lived through two world wars, so had a lot of stories to tell. Many of those depicted here had been in the workhouses, which were absolutely terrible places. Even outwith the workhouse and war based sections of the book there is a great deal of poverty and poor living conditions that made me feel very grateful for what we have today. Jennifer Worth was/is an excellent storyteller and I was never bored reading this, though I was even more skeptical about how true the details were of the stories here as they're not just written 50 years after they happened, but are reportings of what those in the stories (and/or others that knew them) told Jennifer, so I expect there may have been some embellishment or at least gap-filling. Nonetheless, the essence of the time and people remains within these pages.
This book got better as it went. I wasn't a huge fan of Part 1, and Part 2 was a bit too familiar (since I've watched Call the Midwife), but Part 3 was fantastic. I expected there to be more about midwifery in it, but that's my mistake--I didn't bother reading the summary so just assumed it would be in the same vein as the first book.
This book is very different from the first, focusing on just a few stories--and you won't find many midwife tales either. But those few stories will totally break your heart. This book gives you much to think about, especially the ways we've treated the poor. Worth's writing is wonderful. Highly recommended, though it is definitely a departure from her first book.
It's a lovely book filled with good intentions and love.
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Child death, Death, Suicide, Death of parent, War
Minor: Child abuse, Incest, Classism
Many of the stories were familiar to me since I watch the series--Call the Midwife.
This book is the second memoir written by Jennifer Worth about her time serving as a nurse/midwife in London's East End. This book didn't really include anything about midwifery. Instead, it was divided into three sections and essentially focused on three separate stories. The first section told the stories of Jane, Peggy, and Frank who all grew up in the workhouse. The descriptions of the conditions for the poor who lived there were disturbing and appalling. The lingering effects of the workhouse lasted their entire lives. The second section contained the story of how Sister Monica Joan was accused of shoplifting and the ensuing consequences of her actions. The final section was the story of Joseph Collett, a elderly man she came in contact with on her community rounds. As she took over his care for leg ulcers, they became like grandfather and granddaughter. She learned his fascinating life story and treasured their friendship until the day he died.
The entire book had a very different flavor than her first book. Each section reads almost like its own separate mini-book. Enjoyed it, but not as much as the first one.
The entire book had a very different flavor than her first book. Each section reads almost like its own separate mini-book. Enjoyed it, but not as much as the first one.
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
informative
slow-paced