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alexblackreads 's review for:
Call the Midwife: A True Story of the East End in the 1950s
by Jennifer Worth
I picked this book up kind of on a whim. I happened across an episode of the show and it made me curious what the book would be like. I actually find childbirth and pregnancy kind of horrifying, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It was honestly a bit surprising.
More than anything, it was the medical discussions and social issues that drew me in. I don't know anything about London in the 50s, so hearing about consequences from work houses or the people in poverty or immigrants lifestyles was all so fascinating. And I know very little about medical standards today, so hearing discussions on midwifery vs doctors and the various practices they engaged in was also really informative. And I didn't cringe more than once or twice at the graphic descriptions, which I'll consider a win.
Honestly, the bit I struggled with most was Worth's personal stories. I liked the outside stories, but whenever she had a chapter that focused on her personal life, I found myself bored and wanting her to get back to her patients. I just didn't get anything out of hearing about her living her life. Usually those are my favorite parts of memoirs, but I couldn't get into Worth as a person. I was much more interested in what the book did outside of her.
There were also a few moments that seemed questionable to me in terms of Worth's condescension toward the working class she was helping, or thirteen year old pregnant brides who don't speak the language. It has been a minute since I read this book, so I'm struggling with coming up with specific examples, but there were moments that made me uncomfortable. It makes sense, though, since she did come of age in the 1950s.
Overall I did really enjoy this and would recommend it if you're interested in medical information or the time period. I found it fascinating. I was originally planning on continuing on with the series, but unfortunately my library doesn't carry the other two books as audiobooks and I don't care quite enough to make it a priority as a physical book. But it was a really worthwhile experience and I learned a lot from this one.
More than anything, it was the medical discussions and social issues that drew me in. I don't know anything about London in the 50s, so hearing about consequences from work houses or the people in poverty or immigrants lifestyles was all so fascinating. And I know very little about medical standards today, so hearing discussions on midwifery vs doctors and the various practices they engaged in was also really informative. And I didn't cringe more than once or twice at the graphic descriptions, which I'll consider a win.
Honestly, the bit I struggled with most was Worth's personal stories. I liked the outside stories, but whenever she had a chapter that focused on her personal life, I found myself bored and wanting her to get back to her patients. I just didn't get anything out of hearing about her living her life. Usually those are my favorite parts of memoirs, but I couldn't get into Worth as a person. I was much more interested in what the book did outside of her.
There were also a few moments that seemed questionable to me in terms of Worth's condescension toward the working class she was helping, or thirteen year old pregnant brides who don't speak the language. It has been a minute since I read this book, so I'm struggling with coming up with specific examples, but there were moments that made me uncomfortable. It makes sense, though, since she did come of age in the 1950s.
Overall I did really enjoy this and would recommend it if you're interested in medical information or the time period. I found it fascinating. I was originally planning on continuing on with the series, but unfortunately my library doesn't carry the other two books as audiobooks and I don't care quite enough to make it a priority as a physical book. But it was a really worthwhile experience and I learned a lot from this one.