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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
Really makes you think about the time when war was everywhere and the civilians especially children are left alone at the mercy of no one.
Had I not already seen these stories dramatized on the series, I think I would have given the book a higher score.
I had some trouble getting into this one because the accent/slang has been written down. That has already been the case in the first book but here, there have been pages and pages of dialog in this manner. *ugh*
Other than that - I really "enjoyed" reading about Mr. Collett and his experience in the British Army and as a civilian during three wars. It also made me realize that I should read a bit more about WW1 + 2.
I can't say anything about the workhouses or where Mr. Collett ended up though, because there would be a lot of rage on my part just thinking about it.
I'm once again pleasantly surprised how much the TV show kept and transfered from the book into the show. Wow. I like.
Other than that - I really "enjoyed" reading about Mr. Collett and his experience in the British Army and as a civilian during three wars. It also made me realize that I should read a bit more about WW1 + 2.
I can't say anything about the workhouses or where Mr. Collett ended up though, because there would be a lot of rage on my part just thinking about it.
I'm once again pleasantly surprised how much the TV show kept and transfered from the book into the show. Wow. I like.
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
This has been my audiobook for the last few weeks, and I've been completely immersed in Nurse Jenny Lee's remembrances. This book - the sequel to [b:Call the Midwife|25431511|Call the Midwife|Jennifer Worth|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1430058217s/25431511.jpg|6292672] - has a different focus than the first. The first book was very much about midwifery, and while that still is mentioned in passing in this book, there is more focus on the patients and friends Nurse Lee sees in different circumstances.
Here we learn more of the very poor and the dreaded Workhouses, and the paupers who were forced into them, their families broken, their futures basically sealed, and through discussion of a few key people Jenny knew - Joe, a former soldier; Frank and Peggy, siblings who were sent to the workhouse as child and infant; and Jane, the nervous broken woman who works at the house with the sisters and nurses. Through those people's histories, we learn about the severe injustices these people faced - all because they were poor. It's harsh, and greatly distressing, and important that it not be forgotten.
There's also more about one Sister in particular - Sister Monica Joan - who may or may not be somewhat senile, and her trial for theft, which was a scandal to say the least, and the ending of which was stirring and moving.
I've often felt that in not getting to know any of my grandparents (I'm British, and none survived to meet me) that I've lost something of history that would have been fascinating to know. Books like this remind me that stories still exist, and are worth seeking.
Here we learn more of the very poor and the dreaded Workhouses, and the paupers who were forced into them, their families broken, their futures basically sealed, and through discussion of a few key people Jenny knew - Joe, a former soldier; Frank and Peggy, siblings who were sent to the workhouse as child and infant; and Jane, the nervous broken woman who works at the house with the sisters and nurses. Through those people's histories, we learn about the severe injustices these people faced - all because they were poor. It's harsh, and greatly distressing, and important that it not be forgotten.
There's also more about one Sister in particular - Sister Monica Joan - who may or may not be somewhat senile, and her trial for theft, which was a scandal to say the least, and the ending of which was stirring and moving.
I've often felt that in not getting to know any of my grandparents (I'm British, and none survived to meet me) that I've lost something of history that would have been fascinating to know. Books like this remind me that stories still exist, and are worth seeking.
I knew before I started this book it was going to be a bit difficult to read. The first part of the book is about the workhouse. After watching the show, I knew that the stories about the workhouse were heartbreaking. The stories about the workhouse were sad but had a bit of happiness to come out of them (because some of these people got out). Part three of the book about Joe was really interesting; like life it was filled with happy and sad moments. But because of the war and poverty many of the memories shared where tragic.
I will admit I am not a fan of part two in this book. It was about the trial of Sister Monica Joan (If you have seen the show you know what this means). I love Sr. Monica in the show, an adorable older lady, but in the book she frustrates me sometimes.
This book made me cry it was a good second installment in the series. It was not like the first book, it had its own character. I think I still like the first book more though, maybe.
I will admit I am not a fan of part two in this book. It was about the trial of Sister Monica Joan (If you have seen the show you know what this means). I love Sr. Monica in the show, an adorable older lady, but in the book she frustrates me sometimes.
This book made me cry it was a good second installment in the series. It was not like the first book, it had its own character. I think I still like the first book more though, maybe.
I had an interesting feeling while reading this after thoroughly enjoying Call the Midwife. This sequel felt at turns like it was so sad it was engineered to make you cry, and I admit it got me a couple times. But that feeling, saccharine retelling of old woes, pulled me out of the book many times. I have no doubt that Mrs. Worth very thoughtfully put these experiences together, however, this is an autobiography, not a novel. And at times it felt more like commentary on the life of the times through her eyes.
Thus my lower rating of Shadows of the Workhouse.
Thus my lower rating of Shadows of the Workhouse.
In a departure from the short vignettes of the first book, Worth expands on the backstories of several people in her East London community. The focus is on the socio-economic conditions of the 18 + 19th century working class that gave rise to workhouses - the predecessor to our current welfare systems.
Worth weaves compelling and compassionate portraits of each individual several individuals to tell her story in her second book of memoirs. I found this book much harder to put down than the first.
Worth weaves compelling and compassionate portraits of each individual several individuals to tell her story in her second book of memoirs. I found this book much harder to put down than the first.
As one might expect, Shadows of the Workhouse explores a specific part of British history. With that in mind, I was hoping for a variety of stories like that of the first book, Call the Midwife but instead found myself looking at the same kind of story again and again. While undoubtedly interesting and well presented, it wasn’t my preferred format.
I missed the tales of the midwives/nurses when on their days off, or handling a particular patient.
The Trial of Monica Joan was definitely the most interesting, inspiring and captivating of the three parts. I’m pleased therefore I continued with the series, and I do still intend to read book three.
I missed the tales of the midwives/nurses when on their days off, or handling a particular patient.
The Trial of Monica Joan was definitely the most interesting, inspiring and captivating of the three parts. I’m pleased therefore I continued with the series, and I do still intend to read book three.