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Letters to the Midwife
- Narrated by: Patience Tomlinson, Clive Mantle
- Series: Call the Midwife
- Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Memoirs, Diaries & Correspondence
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Brilliant !
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Jennifer Worth came from a sheltered background when she became a midwife in the Docklands in the 1950s. The conditions in which many women gave birth just half a century ago were horrifying, not only because of their grimly impoverished surroundings but also because of what they were expected to endure. But while Jennifer witnessed brutality and tragedy, she also met with amazing kindness and understanding, tempered by a great deal of Cockney humour.
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Abridged to the point of absurdity
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In the Midst of Life
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A must have for your library
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Thoroughly annoyed
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Shadows of the Workhouse
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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 six months of each other, and the children were left destitute. At the time, there was no other option for them but the workhouse.
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Brilliant but at times tough
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Farewell to the East End
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Overall
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-
-
Brilliant !
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Call the Midwife
- A True Story of the East End in the 1950s
- By: Jennifer Worth
- Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
- Length: 12 hrs and 47 mins
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Overall
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Performance
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Jennifer Worth came from a sheltered background when she became a midwife in the Docklands in the 1950s. The conditions in which many women gave birth just half a century ago were horrifying, not only because of their grimly impoverished surroundings, but also because of what they were expected to endure. But while Jennifer witnessed brutality and tragedy, she also met with amazing kindness and understanding, tempered by a great deal of Cockney humour.
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Jennifer Worth came from a sheltered background when she became a midwife in the Docklands in the 1950s. The conditions in which many women gave birth just half a century ago were horrifying, not only because of their grimly impoverished surroundings but also because of what they were expected to endure. But while Jennifer witnessed brutality and tragedy, she also met with amazing kindness and understanding, tempered by a great deal of Cockney humour.
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Abridged to the point of absurdity
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Overall
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Overall
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Summary
When the Call the Midwife series became best sellers Jennifer Worth received mountains of letters - not only praising her books, but also from people who remembered the world her books described; life in the East End of London during the late 1940s and early '50s. Often her books touched her audience and they felt moved to write, or they wanted to share their own memories.
A prolific letter writer herself, Jennifer always corresponded and this book includes some fascinating letters she received, including letters about becoming a missionary and the curious list of things she would need! There are also letters from one of the nuns featured in the Call the Midwife books and other such gems.
Letters to the Midwive includes a moving introduction by Jennifer's family about the Jennifer Worth they knew and loved. Read by Patience Tomlinson and Clive Mantle.
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What listeners say about Letters to the Midwife
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- R. Card
- 22-11-15
More than I expected
Any additional comments?
I ordered this for completion as I enjoyed her other books. I expected just a to and fro of correspondence, but the beginning of the book is a brief biography followed by letters from mostly fans. There is also a short telling by JW of her time in Paris. I came to her books not long before the TV series began and so enjoyed them from a social history point of view. I'd highly recommend this book.
2 people found this helpful
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- Louise
- 30-03-18
Fabulous!
I really enjoyed this backdrop to the Midwife series. Lovely to learn a little more about the author & to read the unpublished section about her time in France.
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- M. Ponsonby
- 08-05-17
Letters are not interesting.
I love the Call the Midwife books but am finding these letters boring. Am going to get the 2nd of the Midwife triology.
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- E
- 29-04-16
Shockingly bad
I bought this book after reading the Call the midwife trilogy and the follow up In the Midst which were all excellent. Sadly, this book is complete and utter self indulgent rubbish, I had to stop listening after chapter 2. Very disappointing and I can't help but think that the publishers just saw an opportunity to make a bit more money on the back of a successful series
1 person found this helpful
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- Avril
- 11-06-19
Wonderful
Can listen to her books over, and over and over - So well written you feel like you are part of the story itself. It just takes you to another time in life, even if you were not yet born. So sad she has passed away.