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The last book in the trilogy begun by Jennifer Worth's New York Times bestseller and the basis for the PBS series Call the Midwife
When twenty-two-year-old Jennifer Worth, from a comfortable middle-class upbringing, went to work as a midwife in the poorest section of postwar London, she not only delivered hundreds of babies and touched many lives, she also became the neighborhood's most vivid chronicler. Call the Midwife: Farewell to the East End is the last book in Worth's memoir trilogy, which the Times Literary Supplement described as "powerful stories with sweet charm and controlled outrage" in the face of dire circumstances.
Here, at last, is the full story of Chummy's delightful courtship and wedding. We also meet Megan'mave, identical twins who share a browbeaten husband, and return to Sister Monica Joan, who is in top eccentric form. As in Worth's first two books, Call the Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times and Call the Midwife: Shadows of the Workhouse, the vividly portrayed denizens of a postwar East End contend with the trials of extreme poverty—unsanitary conditions, hunger, and disease—and find surprising ways to thrive in their tightly knit community.
A rich portrait of a bygone era of comradeship and midwifery populated by unforgettable characters, Call the Midwife: Farewell to the East End will appeal to readers of Frank McCourt, Katherine Boo, and James Herriot, as well as to the fans of the acclaimed PBS show based on the trilogy.
Few memoir trilogy finales are able to sustain their vibrancy. Jennifer Worth's Call the Midwife saga succeeds by making it the shared story of her and her East End clients. Like the PBS series that it inspired, the book takes us behind the closed doors of poor, eccentric Londoners who charm us with their improvised responses to their situations. A natural for fans of writers like Katherine Book, Frank McCourt, and James Herriot.
deserthackberry
Posted Fri Apr 26 00:00:00 EDT 2013
I thought I knew my history until I read these books. The PBS shows were good, but the books are much more intense. I'm glad Ms Worth was able to record not only her own memories, but those of her elders, so that we never forget how badly the poor, particularly women and children, were once abused by their employers and their governments in the "developed" world. Hopefully, never again.
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Apr 27 00:00:00 EDT 2013
I wish I had more books to read by Jennifer Worth. Engaging, informative, funny at times, and well worth reading and buying. A++++ job.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Apr 12 00:00:00 EDT 2013
This book was very interesting. It was so much more than stories about midwives delivering babies. I learned a lot about post war living conditions in London. The author also made it easy to feel like I knew the people she described.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Apr 05 00:00:00 EDT 2013
I read all 3 of these books and totally enjoyed each of them. If you are a fan of the series or even if you haven't seen the series these are fascinating stories.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Jun 15 00:00:00 EDT 2013
I just finished this book. It was so good I wish there was a fourth book. I will really miss the midwives and the people of East End London.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri May 31 00:00:00 EDT 2013
now have all three - the PBS program is true to her memoirs; have enjoyed reading them, half-way through second and not at all disappointed. Eager for next season of the TV program. As above, get them read them you will not be disappointed.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Tue Apr 23 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Reading the words brings such an imagary of the life these midwives lived. The author makes me feel as if I am there with them, in a different place and time. The midwives compassion and adventure truly captures how I feel we as humans were constructed to live, changing the lives of others while we are living to the fullest.
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Apr 11 00:00:00 EDT 2014
And unpleasant this was a real slum not prettied up for a series. Of course the ob grafics on tv balance it out. Both book and the resulting series are worth reading and watching
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Dec 14 00:00:00 EST 2013
This is a wonderful book with a great picture of life as it was in the late 50's and 60's. Yes, I was a young nurse at that time and this book puts it all so clearly.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Nov 22 00:00:00 EST 2013
I am an elderly retired woman physician who served many low income families. Jennifer Worth reported the work and call of women who have served in this fashion. I thoroughly injoyed the book. I hope to read more such books.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Nov 01 00:00:00 EDT 2013
This is a great ending to the series. Enjoy
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Oct 25 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Her story characters seem so real. I didn't want it to end; the TV story on BBc was
enjoyable after reading the books.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri May 30 00:00:00 EDT 2014
seeing how people lived,worked,gave birth and died in such poor areas and under the conditions of the time was inspiring.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri May 23 00:00:00 EDT 2014
I have read all of the "Call the Midwife" books and I also watch the show of PBS. This book was moving, sad, happy, exciting,informative and enlightening all at the same time. If you like the show you should read this book. It gives more detail into the lives of the Nuns and midwives after they all move on to other parts of their lives.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Apr 25 00:00:00 EDT 2014
The BBC/PBS series follows the book in most cases. Some of the episodes come from the other books in this series. It was delightful to read it in her own words. I wish she had written more.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Fri Nov 22 00:00:00 EST 2013
Excellent. We'll written. Realistic.
All the scenes unfolded in my mind effortlessly.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Mon Nov 18 00:00:00 EST 2013
this is a valuable addition to the pbs series
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Thu Oct 17 00:00:00 EDT 2013
Jjpw
1 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Posted Sat Aug 30 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Interesting, well written, charming, sad, lovely.
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Posted Mon Aug 25 00:00:00 EDT 2014
I read all 3 and loved them especially Chummy's story which is in this book. I just saw the episode on TV where her mum died and it's nothing like the book. Chummy is such a great character. Loved all the characters, the nuns, and of course the midwives. Great read, old bean, Jennifer Worth!
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Overview
The last book in the trilogy begun by Jennifer Worth's New York Times bestseller and the basis for the PBS series Call the Midwife
When twenty-two-year-old Jennifer Worth, from a comfortable middle-class upbringing, went to work as a midwife in the poorest section of postwar London, she not only delivered hundreds of babies and touched many lives, she also became the neighborhood's most vivid chronicler. Call the Midwife: Farewell to the East End is the last book in Worth's ...