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Call the Midwife
- A True Story of the East End in the 1950s
- Narrated by: Stephanie Cole
- Length: 4 hrs and 36 mins
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Call the Midwife
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Summary
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.
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What listeners say about Call the Midwife
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jamie Grimes
- 06-05-20
Stunning!!
Such a fantastic book, I was spellbound from beginning to end. I've watched it on TV and I love it but listening to the original stories was even better, loved listening to Jennie's experiences and hearing her grow as the book went along. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to enjoy it with a different voice to the TV show but Stephanie Cole was the perfect choice to read them and I took to her straight away, just felt like I was listening to Jenny herself. I would recommend this book to everyone, and I desperately want to get the next one in the series now.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- M. McGuirk
- 27-07-20
I saw my Mother in these pages
I loved this book, I came to it after being hooked on the tv series. The book did not disappoint. I came to it as an insider, my mother was an Irish student nurse in the war and stayed on after the war to practice midwifery in Glasgow.
I felt I was reading about my Mother, it was in her time, and the anecdotal nature of the story telling is typical of working nurses. My Mother’s best friend was a nurse and reading the book was like listening to my Mum and her friend talking about their lives.
I can see this as a book I will go back to time and time again, when I need to restore my faith in human kindness, selflessness, love and dare I say it everyday Saintliness.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- lyndianne
- 13-03-17
Call the Midwife. Informative and moving book
True factual history of life before the Dawn of the NHS in 1948. The year I was born to a young Mother in London who had run away from the Vallies in S.Wales. Had my birth been any sooner well I might not be here today.
A very well written book.
The account of life in the slums of the East end
of London. For anyone thinking that there life was tough read this book and thank Heaven
and all that is.. that the Workhouses have been
abolished. That young children are cared for by a welfare state. Profoundly moving book.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Megan White
- 03-08-20
Eye opening
Loved it and truly eye opening. Living in Poplar this lit up its history.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Martin Garbutt
- 13-01-18
Couldn’t have asked for a better start
This is my first audiable book, and boy what a start! I couldn’t stop listening! Read beautifully and written perfectly!! I’m officially hooked!!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Louise
- 16-02-18
Loved this book!
Beautifully read by Stephanie Cole - who i remember well from her Tenno days.
And what a fabulous foray into 50s East End London & the world of midwifery. Beautiful journey that I’m looking forward to continuing with the next book.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Bel
- 26-01-19
Beware: abridged version
I loved the TV series, so I was thrilled to get the trilogy on audible. However, I didn't realize that they're the abridged versions.
I loved the book, but on finishing it, I felt that something was missing. It just didn't feel complete. That's when I realized I had bought the abridged version. I now returned the sequels, which I haven't listened to yet, and of course I'll keep his one. It is a great book, very interesting, and beautifully narrated, and it certainly deserves five stars -- but if you can get hold of the full version, I'd recommend you buy that.
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- dunabunk
- 17-03-19
Too Short :)
I loved listening to this book but it ended way too soon. can't wait to read the other parts :)
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- kimipanda
- 27-02-16
Well worth listening to !
a little short but beautiful nonetheless perfect for a weekend listener, look in to the longer books if you enjoy this !
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jackie
- 15-03-16
LOVED IT!
If you could sum up Call the Midwife in three words, what would they be?
heartfelt, humanitarian, funny.
Which character – as performed by Stephanie Cole – was your favourite?
I found Stephanie's narration fantastic. all the characters were brought to life with warmth and compassion, especially Sister Evangelina. The cockney banter is lovely.
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
10 years hard labour
Any additional comments?
highly recommended.
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5 people found this helpful