A review by nomer15
Call the Midwife: Shadows of the Workhouse by Jennifer Worth

4.0

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.