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Call the Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times Paperback – August 29, 2012

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Jennifer Worth (Author)
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Jennifer Worth (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars 1,681 customer reviews
Book 1 of 3 in the Midwife Trilogy Series
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Penguin Books; Rep Mti edition (August 29, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0143123254
  • ISBN-13: 978-0143123255
  • Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1,681 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,152 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsYou won't regret picking this book up! It'll be hard to put down.
By Story Circle Book Reviews on May 4, 2009
Format: Paperback
"Why did I ever start? Do I regret it?" Jennifer Worth asks herself in her memoir The Midwife. "Never, never, never. I wouldn't swap my job for anything on earth." Worth began her career as a midwife in the 1950s in the London Docklands.

The Docklands were poverty stricken, dirty, and recently bombed during World War II. People lived in condemned buildings among rats, grime, and violence. Worth worked out of a Nunnery, providing prenatal care, delivering babies in their homes, and checking up on the moms and babies afterward. It was a busy life with highly unpredictable hours.

One of the most memorable women in the book was Conchita Warren. Worth delivered two of her babies, numbers 24 and 25! The Warren family all lived together in a small London apartment. What was most remarkable--apart from the vast number of children--was the fact that Conchita spoke no English. Her soldier husband had met and married her in Spain and brought her home with him. "Quite suddenly, with blinding insight, the secret of their blissful marriage was revealed to me," Worth wrote. "She couldn't speak a word of English, and he couldn't speak a word of Spanish!"

Some readers may be turned off by the subject, fearing gore, blood, and other unpleasant things often associated with birth. But this is one book you don't want to judge by its cover. The Midwife is, more than anything, the story of an amazing woman in 1950s London and the people she met. I recommend this book to anyone interested in history, motivating stories, or who just wants a good read.

by Jennifer Melville
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women
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5.0 out of 5 starsTouching Tale
By Julie Peterson on July 12, 2009
Format: Paperback
When I first heard about the book THE MIDWIFE: A Memoir of Birth, Joy, and Hard Times by Jennifer Worth, I just knew I wanted to read it. I have always been fascinated by the role of midwives in our history, and I thought the idea of the author living in a convent would be interesting. too While I was thinking that I'd probably like this book, I can definitely say that THE MIDWIFE far exceeded my expectations!

This is a major aside, but it might help explain my interest in the profession of midwifery. I think women who choose midwives for their birthing option have amazing experiences. However, I have to admit that I didn't choose to go that route -- mainly because I am a major chicken and wanted an epidural. (In fact, when I was admitted to the hospital to deliver my first daughter and was asked about my pain plan, I told them DRUGS - early and often.) I find it very ironic that my daughter was actually delivered by a midwife because the doctor never made it to the delivery room in time! My husband and I agreed that the woman who delivered my daughter was a very supportive and inspirational person who made my delivery extra-special.

Since THE MIDWIFE is a memoir, I was expecting it to be all about the author Jennifer Worth. I figured that this book would include information about how the author became a midwife -- the reason behind her decision as well as lots of information on her training, etc. However, much to my surprise, this book wasn't really all about Ms. Worth. Rather, the "memoir" was filled with amazing stories about the mothers (and others) that she encountered during her years as a midwife. In addition, I was surprise by how readable this book was -- there were so many touching stories as well as humorous ones that existed within the pages of this book.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsA rare treasure
By Amazon Customer on September 5, 2008
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
I picked up this book in the London airport on a whim: I was pregnant and it took place in London-- a perfect souvenir. I was immediately drawn into this young midwife's story of her experiences in the poor areas of London during the 1950s. Since she wrote her memoir years later, the insight of an older woman adds a deeper layer to the book that really makes it a treasure. I lent this to my mother upon returning from our trip and haven't seen it since-- it's one of those rare books that will be passed around until it's well worn.
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5.0 out of 5 starsA Well-told Tale. Five Stars!
By James Denny on August 27, 2009
Format: Paperback
Jennifer Worth's tale of her time as a midwife in the Docklands of London's East End in the 1950's reads more like a Dickensian novel from the 1850's. She explains that by the early 1960's, the East-ender Cockney culture and dockworker-dominated economy in this part of London came quietly to an end. This culture had sustained itself for more than 100 years with little change, highly insulated from outside influences.

"The Midwife: A Memoir of Birth, Joy and Hard Times" is more than a tale of delivering babies. It is a work of history and anthropology as well as a personal memoir. The chapter-by-chapter blend of all these elements is told by a woman with a keen eye to all that she saw and experienced. No detail escapes her sharp eye. Each chapter is a story unto itself. The chapters roll up to an epic tale.

Why did this culture end in the early 1960's? Worth offers up three reasons for this: loss of dockyard jobs; demolition of the tenements; and arrival of the pill resulting in much smaller family size.

Huge families were still the norm in the Docklands of the East End in the 1950's as they had been for many decades. Families typically lived in two or three-room tenements, some without running water and most without a bathroom. No one practiced birth control. Young people married young.

Many of the tenement blocks were built in the 1840's and 1850's. Those that survived World War II bombing had undergone little structural alteration in the years since. This type of living would support a modest working-class family that allowed a measure of dignity in an era still largely missing the social support systems and welfare in Britain today.Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsHugely impactful

I hve read and re-read this book and it's others, each time learning something more, developing my faith deeper, and learning how to gave more than patience, but God-given grace... Read more

Published 1 day ago by Alexandra McArthur
5.0 out of 5 starsFor fans of the show on PBS

When the past season ended, I needed more, and decided to read the books. This first book did not disappoint, and makes me want for more!

Published 9 days ago by ELLIE
5.0 out of 5 starsCan't get enough Midwifery!

Only discovered the TV series a few months ago. NOW watching and/or reading CTM constantly! Love the drama, humor,and difficult topics they address.

Published 13 days ago by Deb Ivis
5.0 out of 5 starsI would recommend reading this book

This book was a pleasure to read. I recognized some of the stories from the tv show but was given more background on them through the book. Read more

Published 14 days ago by Karen L. Field
3.0 out of 5 starsThree Stars

Not as good as the tv series but I like it well enough

Published 16 days ago by Wendy J Wilson
5.0 out of 5 starsLike reading a diary

Jennifer Worth's first volume of her trilogy covers her transition from nurse at a regimented and hierarchical hospital to midwife in a convent where lay nurses work side-by-side... Read more

Published 17 days ago by Sandra M Yeaman
5.0 out of 5 starsEnjoyable

Enjoyable reading as either a compliment to the TV series or alone. Reading before the TV series might give away plots, but there is much more content and context in the memoirs... Read more

Published 21 days ago by dirocco
5.0 out of 5 starsVery sweet and heartwarming

I am familiar with Call the Midwife from the BBC series as it aired on PBS. This went more in depth with the stories of the first season. Read more

Published 22 days ago by Julia M
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Very interesting and entertaining.

Published 26 days ago by S. Dominiak
5.0 out of 5 starsExtremely interesting and enlightening - amazing to realize the...

Extremely interesting and enlightening - amazing to realize the poverty that existed in the 40s and 50s in UK.

Published 26 days ago by Elizabeth/Paul Sabbatini

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