it's summer break! our students have a 1,000 page challenge, and my family is joining the fun.
saturday i read call the midwife. i found it while enjoying a visit to joseph-beth booksellers.
this book is compelling, touching, and hilarious. it takes place in 1950s london when a young nurse joins a group of midwives. she hadn't known they were nuns, and has a really memorable introduction. a nonagenarian greets her, and together they happily eat a cake, the nun speaking in grandiose and obscure ways about astronomy, religion, and classic myths mixed together. soon the cake is gone. other nuns return and are surprised and dismayed to find the treat eaten. the nurse is abashed, and considers running out the door, but stays.
what follows are the author's adventures in helping families before, during, and after childbirth. although chapters have names like rickets and eclampsia, the stories are clear and very interesting (educational, too).
note that the book is for adults, including a prostitute's struggle to have her baby, when being pregnant is not allowed in her profession. in other chapters, the book's earthy humor may have tears of laughter flowing.
there are three books in all, and a pbs series.
beautiful reading!
joy to you.
I just recently added this to my reading list after enjoying the PBS series.
ReplyDeleteAs a former doula and childbirth educator, this is right up my alley! Thanks for the great review. Can't wait to try it.
ReplyDeleteThis looks fabulous. I will add it to my ever legthening 'books I want to read' list xxx
ReplyDeleteThis series is on at the moment here on a Sunday night. I haven't been watching it myself but know a few friends who love it. Will have to keep the book in mind when I'm looking for a good read. xx
ReplyDeleteKim has been watching this series on PBS and loves it. I tried to watch one episode but could not get involved, sadly. Maybe I will try the book. Thank you for the suggestion.
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