Call the Midwife: Farewell to the East End (The Midwife Trilogy Book 3)

I have watched every episode of Call the Midwife and really enjoyed it. I am specially fond of anything written by Jennifer Worth.

As a nurse and with an intense interest in the history surrounding WW2 I found this (and her other books) book fascinating. I had heard many of my friends talk about the video series Call the Midwife but had no idea it was based on a true story. As a rule I will not watch a movie or video based on a book before actually reading the book. Even though I am a mother of four children and found childbirth uneventful in my own life, it is not an area of nursing I’m particularly fond of so I dismissed this series initially. What a BIG mistake! I just finished reading all the Call the Midwife books and came away in absolute awe at how this group of ladies (nuns and nurses) cared for and served the poorest of the poor in the Docklands of England. This author is so very gifted in her observations and interactions with staff and patients while living in the convent house. I was very much impressed with the adherence to infection control and medical teaching afforded to the community and setting up a strict schedule so that one nurse was always on call to deliver babies. They also handled other medical emergencies when a doctor was not available. I am embarrassed to say that I thought that midwives were not familiar with medical advances or worked outside established guidelines. This book shoots that belief down! I also learned how effective nuns are in their commitment to the Lord’s service - much respect! We will never know on this side of Heaven how much these ladies contributed to the Kingdom’s work.

Jennifer Worth tells the story of her earlier career (in the late 70's she left nursing to teach music) as a midwife in terms that, at places, made me want to laugh and at others, to cry. It is a story taken right out of the late forties and early fifties and much of the homespun narrative is easy for me to relate to (after, that is, I learn Cockney). Because I was a city boy during that time, the neighborhood camaraderie as well as the childish pranks and the way we amused ourselves before smart phones and electronic tablets, the yelling and even the police presence and the poverty were all part of a memory I cherish.The PBS series has a lot in common with the book but the facts are in the T.V. series rearranged and actually toned down a bit. The book is very descriptive of the work but maintains a profound respect for motherhood, maternity and all decency. A glossary of terms is included in the back.The 50's of the last century saw medical advancements—for which I personally am grateful. But it also reflects the pre-tech age which—not a few—nurses today in reading about might reflectively whisper to themselves 'OMG' as they compare the details of then and now.The reader should develop a deeper appreciation for the Sisters of Nonnatus House as well (and the calling of all the Sisters of the Catholic faith in general) whose commitment and love to God and those in need is unequaled. The church was replete with Sister Teresas—and I say that even though I am not Catholic. I fell in love (both in the T.V. series and the book) with Sister Julienne—played to perfection by Jenny Agutter.And Sister Monica Joan is a hoot! More so in the reading than the T.V. series.The way it all ends and ‘where-are-they-now?’ is only in the books.If you've seen the series, read the trilogy.

I loved this book, the third of the trilogy about life and birth in the poverty stricken East End of 1950s London and the midwives who were in the thick of it all. Peppered with interesting denizens of the East End and providing a bird's-eye view of what life was like then, it captivates the reader. The conditions in which the people in the East End lived were really appalling. Unsanitary conditions, coupled with diseases and poverty, were a way of life. Were if not for these midwives ensuring some form of prenatal care and being on hand at the time of birth, who knows what the mortality rate would have been!This book brings closure into what happened to many of these young midwives, whose adventures and hard work in the East End brought succor to so many and endeared them to the reader. The eccentric Sister Monica Joan is featured once again, to my delight, as she was a favorite of mine. I am sorry to have to say goodbye, as I simply loved this trilogy of books. This third and last book had me from start to finish, fully engaging me in a chronicle of events of a bygone era. It is simply a beautifully written memoir. I loved it!

If you read the trilogy in order, than this book, the last of the three, will provide an excellent sense of closure for you as Worth wraps it up by wrapping up the histories of the main characters, Worth, having now established the reader in the "world now gone" of the East End in the 1940's-1950's, inserts more commentary into this book, between the narrative episodes. Again, if you read the entire series in order, this commentary is welcome. Worth is a Christian writer in every sense of the word. She shows the reader both the good and the evil of the system that created the midwife role in British life, and the system that altered it into something else entirely. She frequently adds observations about the medical practices and social problems that effected her patients. Chummy's ugly duckling tale of romance and happiness and religious devotion make a fitting ending to the storyline of the young women. The wrap-up of the sisters and how their lives ended makes for a bittersweet ending to the book. But at the end, you feel the great sense of an era having been lost, of very good and faithful Christian people now gone forever,and the loss to us in their inevitable passing. You give out a great breath and wish the story could have gone on, and THAT is the mark of a truly great novel.

This is the last in a trilogy Jennifer Worth wrote. The trilogy forms the basis of the wonderful "Call the Midwife " series. Sadly Jennifer did not get to see how popular the series became, but she knew it was going to happen.

The third and final book that I adored reading.The nuns and District midwives of St Raymund Nonnatus House east end London.As they take us through the docks, brothels, tough rough landlords in the toughest areas.District midwife Jennifer worth takes us into her last days at the house. Some fascinating stories are told through reading.I loved reading all of this book .Just put your feet up and enjoy

Loved this, bought it as I've watched the TV series & looked forward to each one. Probably appealed because I could remember those times, more real than the TV series, but then, often didn't agree with how things were depicted on tv, a bit of " poetic license" used! I really enjoyed reading it & wished that I'd read the other books in the series first. Style of writing was easy to read.

This is the third book by Jennifer Worth i have read in the last month or so, her books are an absolute must read not only for those interested in the social history of Britain but also those who loved the television show 'call the midwife' ,this book (as the others also do) documents the vibrant,close knit community of London's east end, battered by the war and stricken with poverty. I will say the books (and especially this volume and 'Shadows of the workhouse') are not as sugar coated as the tv show, i found myself moved to tears several times whilst reading this book but Jennifer worth tackles the subject matter covered in her bestsellers in a sensative yet matter of fact manner but at times it left me reeling in disbelief at the extreme hardship and injustice people endured in times gone by. I have enjoyed this series so much i am rather upset i only have one more book to read to complete the series. i would definately say read them all. You will not regret spending the time to take a peek into the bygone times and culture of 1960's post war London life .Thankyou Jennifer Woth for sharing your experiances.

Very interesting reading and brings back long forgotten life in the 1950's. Everyone should read Jennifer Worths books and help us to realise how tough life was compared with now. Yes, even if we are in lockdown.

I enjoyed the first book but feel the subsequent ones weren’t as good. Some of them were a bit long winded and not engaging. I love the tv series which is why I read these.