More fascinating stories of life in London’s East End in the 1950s, by the author of Call the Midwife, giving an insight into the lives of the poor with that indomitable British spirit of making do, of resilience and community really shining through. A bygone age indeed from an author who really makes it come to life.
In this follow up to CALL THE MIDWIFE, Jennifer Worth, a midwife working in the docklands area of East London in the 1950s tells more stories about the people she encountered.
There's Jane, who cleaned and generally helped out at Nonnatus House - she was taken to the workhouse as a baby and was allegedly the illegitimate daughter of an aristocrat. Peggy and Frank's parents both died within 6 months of each other and the children were left destitute. At the time, there was no other option for them but the workhouse. The Reverend Thornton-Appleby-Thorton, a missionary in Africa, visits the Nonnatus nuns and Sister Julienne acts as matchmaker. And Sister Monica Joan, the eccentric ninety-year-old nun, is accused of shoplifting some small items from the local market. She is let off with a warning, but then Jennifer finds stolen jewels from Hatton Garden in the nun's room.
These stories give a fascinating insight into the lives of the poor in 1950s London, of the shadow of the workhouse that always hung over their lives but also of the resilience and spirit that enabled ordinary people to overcome their difficulties.
'Worth is a vivid writer with a talent for the sting in the tail... a highly readable book - and a must for social planners.' EVENING STANDARD
'Jennifer Worth has a gift for storytelling and a keen eye for the evocative' BBC WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
'These are powerful stories delivered with sweet charm and controlled outrage.' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT
'Healthcare workers could learn a great deal from reading this book... compassionate, non-judgemental... tears rolled down my cheeks reading the final chapters.' NURSING STANDARD
Author
About Jennifer Worth
Jennifer Worth was a nurse, midwife, ward sister and night sister from 1953 until 1973. Her Call the Midwife trilogy comprises Call the Midwife, first published by W&N in 2007, as well as Shadow of the Workhouse and Farewell to the East End. The books were based on Worth's experiences as a midwife in London's East End in the 1950s, and have sold almost a million copies in the UK, according to the publisher.
Call the Midwife has been made into a major television series for the BBC, produced by Neal Street Productions and scripted by Heidi Thomas, who also wrote the screenplay for "Cranford". The series runs for 6 weeks from 15th January 2012.
Jennifer Worth died on 31st May 2011 and is survived by her husband Philip Worth, their two daughters and three grandchildren.
