Shadows of the Workhouse by Jennifer Worth

My rating:

The English workhouses first saved their lives then proceeded to break them, separating families, chipping at the little pride that remained, whipping the dreams out of their inmates.

Many were strong and brave enough to leave and live, their souls tainted by the shadows cast upon them by the fear, and the shame of the workhouse. And these shadows pervaded society as a whole, decades after the formal abolition of workhouses in 1930.

In this easy to read sequel to “Call the Midwife”, Jennifer Worth tells funny, sad, touching, candid accounts of the workhouse through her patients’ stories as she works during the 1950s for “Nonnatus House”, with bright and surprising nuns in the East End.

Nurse Lee shines through as a woman of her times, both a young rebel and accepting of post-war London realities.

And of course, there’s dear old Mr Collett, a generous and grateful old patient with whom Jennifer Worth becomes friends.

I really enjoyed this second instalment.

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