Shadows of the Workhouse

Call the Midwife, Book 2

By: Jennifer Worth

Narrated by: Nicola Barber

Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

When twenty-two-year-old Jennifer Worth, from a comfortable middle-class upbringing, went to work as a midwife in the direst section of postwar London, she not only delivered hundreds of babies and touched many lives, she also became the neighborhood';s most vivid chronicler. Woven into the ongoing tales of her life in the East End are the true stories of the people Worth met who grew up in the dreaded workhouse, a Dickensian institution that limped on into the middle of the twentieth century.

Though these are stories of unimaginable hardship, what shines through each is the resilience of the human spirit and the strength, courage, and humor of people determined to build a future for themselves against the odds. This is an enduring work of literary nonfiction, at once a warmhearted coming-of-age story and a startling look at people's lives in the poorest section of postwar London.

©2005 Jennifer Worth (P)2014 HighBridge Company

Heartbreakingly Real

Some areas of these stories are graphic and heartbreaking. Mostly because they are based on true experiences from a poverty stricken place and time. I loved the writing and narration, even through the difficult times. You will also experience the fortitude of those faced with unbelievable poverty and unique circumstances. Great series of books and love the show.

Terribly good. Tears possible.

Narrator was lovely as usual.
This collections of stories was heart-retching. Tears are a possibility. Certainly provides a new perspective on history & London culture.

All time favorite

If you could sum up Shadows of the Workhouse in three words, what would they be?

Acts of kindness goes a long way. See things through to the end. Judging people is a tricky thing; it comes back to bite you and say you were off. Loving people includes hands and feet, and learning to love well.

Who was your favorite character and why?

the girl. )(...and the mother & old sister!)
She was a good pivotal charachter.

What about Nicola Barber’s performance did you like?

refreshing.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cried when the old man passed; point taken.

Any additional comments?

"you loved well" in the end summed it up.
Life is messy, you love in a messy world, you will end up doing pretty good in the end.
man, wish others can read this.

Wonderful book !

I have watched this series on PBS so wondered if I should buy this book , gosh I am so glad I did, I listened to it almost in one go and I am very sorry it's finished .

To me a narrator is of prime importance and Nicola Barber is out of this world , just love her voice and will certainly buy more books read by her.

The story was good and it's interesting to see how the NHS had made such a difference to England.

Great book you won't regret buying it , I am off to get one of the other 2 in this series .

A picture of British History

The narrator, brought the reader into the story, with her words and accents. The story allows the listener to live British history of the poor from the early 1900s to the 1950s

Social history

This memoir focuses mainly on recollections pertaining to survivors of the workhouse system in London (as the title suggests). The stories are more brutal and less uplifting than the birth-focused stories in the previous book and the television show, so be prepared for an emotionally difficult read. It is an excellent reminder of what the reality of life was before the advent of social welfare programs. Essentially, it's hours of stories about child and elder abuse (and the lifelong ramifications of that abuse) with some anecdotes about Sister Monica Joan thrown in.

so worth it

fabulous capsules of history that keeps you spellbound.. narrator is amazing and brings it all to life..

wonderful book to listen to

Loved it! A beautiful, heartbreaking, hilarious picture of what the past was like for a nurse in 1950s London.

Shadows of the workhouse

I learned so much, even though much of it was sad. It was fascinating. Delynn

Historical Novel Exposes Poverty in British Workhouses

Shadows of the Workhouses tells a very long story about the poor living in a section of London and the workhouses where many were confined. Each chapter tells another story. But it’s not a book one would want to read in one sitting because some of those stories hold too many facts to take in. Narration was excellent Recommend.