Sophia C. reviewed Call the Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times (Midwife, Bk 1) on + 289 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Originally published as simply The Midwife, the first volume of Jennifer Worths memoirs as a midwife in Londons East End in the 1950s was renamed Call the Midwife to coincide with the television series (on PBS in the United States.) Both the book and television forms were very enjoyable for me, in different ways. Whereas the television series was more visually appealing with stories modified to have story arcs that fit into an hour-long episode, the book offers a richer look at the community as a whole. In the book, the other student nurses were not as prominent. There was more medicine, and 1950s London seemed to resemble Dickens London more than I can imagine for 60 years ago. The appendix offers a section on the Cockney dialect and medical terms. Please note there is one heartbreaking and graphic section on prostitution. Anyone interested in nostalgia should take a look at both this book and the television series; Im looking forward to more installments of both!
June A. (pertdoe) reviewed Call the Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times (Midwife, Bk 1) on + 191 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I really liked this book. It followed closely the show on PBS, but it gave a lot more detail in the book. A lot of little things that were left out of the show. So interesting to read about how antiquated things were back in the 50's, especially in England. Well worth the read. I loved it.
Lynda C. (Readnmachine) reviewed Call the Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times (Midwife, Bk 1) on + 1439 more book reviews
Memoir of a London midwife in the 1950s, working in the dockyard slums. Many of the episodes related in the book became the basis for episodes of the fictionalized "Call the Midwife" television series.
Claire B. (clairebelle) reviewed Call the Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times (Midwife, Bk 1) on + 61 more book reviews
This is a wonderful read about the life and times in the 1950s East End of London. Included in the stories of babies being delivered are the customs, home life, attitudes of life among the people and among the nun house where the midwives live. The writer also tells of the changes in her own life, how the nuns affected her with their devotion and belief in God, and her love of her profession and for the people. A compelling read. Would love to read more about her work.
Cindy C. (CD0927) reviewed Call the Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times (Midwife, Bk 1) on + 39 more book reviews
Wonderful story of life in post-war London. Fascinating look into the lives of the midwives in the 1950s.
Hazel S. (socalgirl) reviewed Call the Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times (Midwife, Bk 1) on + 3 more book reviews
Love the TV show. Book follows the TV show closely but with more details. Really enjoyed it.
