Shadows of the Workhouse (The Midwife Trilogy #2)

I got the first book because I was a fan of the PBS series. It was darker than the series but I still enjoyed it. When this one came on sale right after I finished the first one, I got it as well.

Assuming that a lot of the people who consider buying the books are doing so because they like the series, I feel compelled to warn you that this book is very much darker than you are likely expecting. I don’t like to do spoilers so I’m not going to get into details. I’ll just say that while the series isn’t always lighthearted and can be pretty gritty, this is much darker than the series gets. I’d say it even crosses over into disturbing in parts.

It’s well written and I wouldn’t tell you not to read it but I would advise caution if you’re thinking of getting it as a gift for someone.

This is the second book in the series. It focuses on the impact of the workhouses on the lower classes, focusing on three individuals who spent their childhood years in one. Peggy and Frank are brother and sister, and Jane works with the nuns. In addition to their stories, the author details the history of the workhouse and how it changed over time, and what issues arose with those changes. Franks cancer diagnosis shows how bonded he and Peggy are and their traumatic childhood separation and Franks determination to provide for his sister shows a quiet heroism. Their story is complex and may be difficult for some readers. Jane also has a past in the workhouse and was friends with Peggy. She went from a bright outgoing child to a fearful, timid adult from her experiences. With some help from Sister Julienne, Jane finally finds some happiness. Sister Monica Joan also plays a key role in the story and her aberrant behavior lands her in trouble with the law.

I rarely end a book in tears, but this one really got to me. It raises 1000 questions about the good of social programs and public works, as well as the evils. Yes, evils. The epilogue explains it quite well. There was good, but there was also great neglect and lack of oversight for these poor people. Why couldn’t there have been kinder and more compassionate treatment? Why were the rules so harsh to families? Couldn’t families have been allowed to see one another and visit one another? Those who grew up in the work houses under cruelty became the masters who were cruel. Given that everyone was terrified of going to these work houses, why didn’t the government inspect them and make radical changes? This underscores the fact that governments throw money at a problem and consider it done and never count the cost for what it takes to really make them work well. There seems to have been no attempt to transition people out of the work houses and it became a hopeless way of life. This is how politicians assuage their consciences about the poor. Better to send a welfare check.

SHADOWS OF THE WORKHOUSE is probably my favorite of the trilogy. Worth’s narrative is far darker than the PBS series, and yet also richer in many ways, dotted with bright bits of humor, faith, and her unsentimental glimpses into the durability of the human spirit. She documents “near history”: a world now gone, that would be forgotten except for her saving pen, which brings to life the people of two generations ago, their incredible poverty, and the incredible misfortunes that some suffered, as well as the incredible gallantry shown by others who were determined to bring help and assistance. All told in a quiet, unassuming way. Worth’s account is uplifting, but not in the overly sweet way of so-called “inspirational” books (which I loathe) of today. She tells a dark story and tells it in a straightforward way, but that makes the bright lights of faith, compassion, belief in duty, all the more bright and startling. This book was a page turner for me.

Unlike the other two Call the Midwife books that I have read, this book tells the life stories of two characters that the author encountered working at Nonnatus House. The first, Jane, is a quiet, fearful young women. She fears her own shadow, and cannot be trusted with any responsibility due to her fear of making a mistake. The other character, Mr Collett, a soldier who fought in the Boer war, begins as a client needing a nurse, and becomes a true friend to the author.

Jane’s story is the story of the workhouse, a horrible institution that punishes people for being poor. Starting out life as bubbly, charming, intelligent little girl, Jane’s spirit is completely broken by the inhumanity of the workhouse system.

The soldier, Mr. Collett starts out as a patient, but moves into the category of friend as his wounds heal. His life story is gradually revealed as her visits become more social than professional.

Both stories reveal the humanity of the people who came into contact with the sisters and nurses of Nonnatus House, until changing economic times forced the end of the East End and the need for the services of Nonnatus House.

Galaxyaudiobook Member Benefit

- Able to comment

- List watched audiobooks

- List favorite audiobooks

- Bookmark will only available for Galaxyaudiobook member