Rate this book

Farewell To The East End: The Last Days Of The East End Midwives (2009)

by Jennifer Worth(Favorite Author)

4.2 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0753823063 (ISBN13: 9780753823064)

languge

English

genre

Memoir & Autobiography

publisher

Phoenix

series

The Midwife Trilogy

review 1: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. All three of Worth's accounts of life on the East End of London was fascinating to me. While most of her stories are about attending to births as a midwife, she shares many details about the lives of these women and their families as well as the community attitudes and lifestyles at large. Having seen the PBS series I was familiar with many of these stories but I so appreciated the details from her writings.
review 2: 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 ... moreto (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. less

Download links for: Farewell to the East End: The Last Days of the East End Midwives

Advertising

Online stores:

Amazon

Copy in the library:

Find

Torrents:

Find

Links:

Reviews (see all)

ashi

I've been a great fan of the BBC tv series which has picked bits of stories from each of Jennifer Worth's books. It is nice to be able to read more of her excellently described memories of midwifery in post-war East End London.Also unlike the tv series which sends characters away and brings them back, Jennifer finishes off her friends' stories with what happened to each of them and where they were at he time of writing. There are both happy and sad endings, but it brings it all to a nice close.

Jay

After reading the third book of this series, I know want to read the earlier books. The stories of the midwives and nuns are fascinating. If you are faint of heart, do not care for graphic details of birth or female issues you may want to skip this series. The book provides a glimpse onto the lives and hardships of the various patients. Not written in beautiful prose, but Worth is a very good story teller.

aadi

Excellent historian and writer, Jennifer Worth.

Mandy

This is a trilogy worth reading.

allergicrat

Loved it.

Write review