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Shadows of the Workhouse

The Drama of Life in Postwar London

Paperback

Published: 22nd January 2009
RRP $19.99
$13.50
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In this follow up to CALL THE MIDWIFE, Jennifer Worth, a midwife working in the docklands area of East London in the 1950s tells more stories about the people she encountered. There's Jane, who cleaned and generally helped out at Nonnatus House - she was taken to the workhouse as a baby and was allegedly the illegitimate daughter of an aristocrat. Peggy and Frank's parents both died within 6 months of each other and the children were left destitute. At the time, there was no other option for them but the workhouse. The Reverend Thornton-Appleby-Thorton, a missionary in Africa, visits the Nonnatus nuns and Sister Julienne acts as matchmaker. And Sister Monica Joan, the eccentric ninety-year-old nun, is accused of shoplifting some small items from the local market. She is let off with a warning, but then Jennifer finds stolen jewels from Hatton Garden in the nun's room. These stories give a fascinating insight into the resilience and spirit that enabled ordinary people to overcome their difficulties.

About the Author

Jennifer Worth trained as a nurse at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, and was later ward sister at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital in London, then the Marie Curie Hospital, also in London. Music had always been her passion, and in 1973 she left nursing in order to study music intensively, teaching piano and singing for about twenty-five years. Jennifer died in May 2011 after a short illness, leaving her husband Philip, two daughters and three grandchildren. Her books have all been bestsellers.

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Shadows of the Workhouse
 
5.0

(based on 1 review)

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Reviewed by 1 customer

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5.0

A great read

By Krrby

from Sydney

About Me Casual Reader

Verified Buyer

Pros

  • Easy To Understand
  • Informative
  • Interesting
  • Well Written

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Gift

    Comments about Shadows of the Workhouse:

    Found this book a page-turner. The author has really captured & connected with the lives of poor & working class people from the 50's and earlier in East London. Down to earth and real.

    Comment on this review

    Be warned, it's a real tear-jerker - but it also makes you very grateful for the life we have today. [Woman]

    ISBN: 9780753825853
    ISBN-10: 0753825856
    Audience: General
    Format: Paperback
    Language: English
    Number Of Pages: 304
    Published: 22nd January 2009
    Dimensions (cm): 19.8 x 12.8  x 2.3
    Weight (kg): 0.3