Call the Midwife cover art

Call the Midwife

A True Story of the East End in the 1950s

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Call the Midwife

By: Jennifer Worth
Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
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About this listen

Jennifer Worth's tales of being a midwife in 1950s London, now a major BBC TV series.

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. She also earned the confidences of some whose lives were truly stranger, more poignant and more terrifying than could ever be recounted in fiction.

Attached to an order of nuns who had been working in the slums since the 1870s, Jennifer tells the story not only of the women she treated, but also of the community of nuns (including one who was accused of stealing jewels from Hatton Garden) and the camaraderie of the midwives with whom she trained.

Funny, disturbing and incredibly moving, Jennifer's stories bring to life the colourful world of the East End in the 1950s.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2007 Jennifer Worth (P)2020 Orion Publishing Group Medical Professionals & Academics Funny Heartfelt Thought-Provoking Feel-Good Midwife

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It's a bit of an enlightening about our not far historical past. From a different perspective of those commonly known. I must thank the author for this wonderful gift!

Such an amazing story!

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The story, performance and composition are absolutely excellent. Some of the content is very hard to listen to, harrowing and depressing. The author is superb, she does not just rattle off stories, but is indeed a gifted writer, on top of being a midwife, mother, lover of music, fashion and culture. One feature of her writing is her complete honesty about her preconceptions, and the growth in character and compassion as she deepens her understanding of the human beings she encounters.

A history of women

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I absolutely loved every second of this fascinating story. Jenny transports you to East London with her stories of the characters, their lives, their streets and homes. Juliet Stevenson narrates wonderfully, going from character to character effortlessly. Having watched and enjoyed the tv version I was a little sceptical about whether it was worth downloading the audio, not wanting to be disappointed... I wasn’t. Highly recommend this title.

I wanted it to never end

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This book warmed my soul, shocked me, made me cry and gave me immense hope. Amazing read.

Beautiful book

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Great listening sad uplifting funny and a real eye opener
Watched the tv series but this is so much better

Brilliant

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Being a fan of the series I decided to give this a try. I wasn’t disappointed and loved every second. The grittiness of the situation, the housing conditions, the stories, both happy and sad, really come through in the audiobook. It makes the series feel quite removed from the harsh truth of reality. Amazing audiobook.

Wonderful! Gritty and real.

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I never stopped being amazed and enchanted by this story and the way the narrator managed, apparently so effortlessly, to inhabit the varied, incredible and surprising characters at different stages in their development. Enlightening in every sense.

Eye-opening, heart-warming & hilarious

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Great audiobook. Loved the narrators voice and the story is fantastic. Will recommend to others 😊

Great book and audio

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I’m sad this book has finished. I loved all the stories that kept me listening. I’m used to watching the call the midwife series so at first I couldn’t get used to someone else’s voice. However in time the stories were so intriguing that the different voice didn’t matter.

Lovely and captivating

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Loved every minute of this book..the poverty post ww2 was real but community was strong.
This book reflects the social history of Britain and its gradual improvement through health education and its people.
it is funny inspiring and nostalgic to anyone who can remember. Enjoy the ride as you read it.

True reflections 1950's life

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