The Midwife's Sister: The Story of Call The Midwife's Jennifer Worth by her sister Christine Paperback – 3 Feb. 2022

This book is a fascinating insight into the lives of two remarkable women, one of whom, Jennifer Worth (née Lee), went on to write the Call The Midwife trilogy of her memoirs and went on to be dramatised in the BBC Television series of the same name. Written by Christine Lee - Jennifer's sister - it gives a fascinating account of their early childhood, teenage years and their early paths as young adults before the writer describes her own path through life and her enduring relationship with her sister. It sets out a clear narrative of suffering, diverging values and life choices, and the eventual reconciliation following the fractured sibling relationship before the inevitability of death itself.The author deftly describes the bifurcation of their bond from her point of view and this can, and does, lead to her to describe her sister in somewhat unflattering terms. I notice that has been commented upon by others on here in a critical way and I think is unfair. It doesn't take much empathy to understand that the two women's values diverged and it is obvious that Jennifer's time as a trainee midwife in Poplar with the Sisters of St John the Divine, together with her exposure to terrible poverty, disease and suffering, had a profound effect on her subsequent values and her path through life. This divergence, with one sister becoming more, shall I say, Calvanist in her philosophy to life, and the somewhat decadent approach of the other, was bound to arouse tension! How could it not?And, of course, despite the suffering they endured early on, these two women were relatively privileged and wealthy. I have heard it said that sometimes it is better to be miserable in comfort than in destitution, but I am certain now that Jennifer's experience of the misery of others, often in abject poverty is the one thing that drove the sisters apart for so many years.This book gives a clear account of those differences in values, and the experiences that led to those values forged, as they were, in early childhood experiences. It gives an account of two courageous, determined and compassionate women who are deserving of our admiration, and shines a light on the one woman who, ultimately, started all of this public interest herself - Jennifer Worth. This is well worth a read and I recommend it wholeheartedly.

Definitely a page turner for me having read all Jennifer Worth's books. An interesting read.

Interesting reading.

Great read book arrived quickly.

Sadly another family member riding on Jennifer Worths successful books

Having read Call the Midwife I really wanted to find out more about Jennifer Worth, the author of the books, and especially the context of what brought a middle class girl from Hertfordshire to work in the East End in the late 1950s. Well, this book has been a revelation! I have devoured it in 2 days, and now feel inspired to read 'Letters to the Midwife' too. Christine and Jennifer are both talented writers and have led very full lives; lives of extreme contrasts, and a childhood that went from a joyful family life to an unimaginably fragmented and distressing period of their lives. They have both shown such resilience, courage and character, and it was so interesting to read about the twists and turns that have shaped their lives.I was also intrigued about the love affair that Jennifer had had at just 15, touched on in her own book, and subtlety depicted in the TV series, and her sister covers this in a very sensitive way. Through the book I have found two fascinating women who have remained true to themselves. This is after all Christine's autobiography, not a biography of Jennifer, and they have both led lives that I'm sure will have been inspiring to their children, to many people who have met them, and will continue to inspire their readers too.

This book tells the story of two incredible lives, two sisters so close yet so far apart. From a broken home that neither completely recovered from to fame from writing and sculpture.

A very interesting insight for those who appreciated the "Call the Midwife" series of books and Jenny Worth (Lee's) other books. Perhaps may not be as readily appreciated as a stand alone book if you haven't read the others. But nevertheless an informative read. I had initially thought this book was just written by someone climbing on the bandwaggon of someone else's success but found it to be a very good background and placed the "Midwife" books in perspective.

I loved that this story was based on life experiences. Makes one realize how far we have come and where we used to be.

This is an incredible book. To put into writing your family's history- their strengths, their pain, their survival through circumstances of which is a true miracle that these sisters not only survived but triumphed is truly amazing that Christine Lee could write with such clarity and honesty. You are completely 'there' in their world and you cannot put the book down. This is a book about how we as human families interact, struggle and survive. It really is a modern 'Kill a Mockingbird' of they intimate interaction of family members. Through it all.. there was a father who said 'you can do anything if you work hard enough'. My father, my adoptive father, gave me that gift too. It is why, no matter what the challenge, you find an answer to triumph not just for yourself but everyone you touch. It is called Love.Dr. Patricia Kane

I liked this, but bear in mind it's the sister's auto-biography, it's not really the biography of Jennifer Worth.

If you are a fan of "Call The Midwife" then this book may put a damper on the positive role Jenny plays. This book goes to show life isn't as nice as it is portrayed on TV. The book mostly focuses on Jenny and her sister, Christine's lives before and after being a midwife. And they did not live the lovely life featured on CTM. In fact they both had very dark lives.I did enjoy the book however. It was a side of CTM that one doesn't get to see. And you actually learn Jenny was only a midwife at the Nonnatus House for 3 months. Still it wasn't that well written. Jenny definitely got the writing talent in that family. Even though Chris was a very accomplished artist.

Fascinating history of two sisters with an amazing history and a look at a strata of English society not often available, especially to American readers. It shows the very difficult circumstances underlying the events in "Call the Midwife".