Sisters of the East End

By: Helen Batten

Narrated by: Annie Aldington

'A second’s silence and then an almighty scream. It was the most moving thing I had ever seen…. A baby, a real live baby, another human life had entered the world. It didn’t seem possible and yet I had witnessed it with my very own eyes.'

Born into a happy working-class North London family in the mid-20th century, Katie is determined to 'do something' with her life. Working in the impoverished East End in the 1950s, she meets the Sisters of St John the Divine – a community of nuns dedicated to nursing and midwifery. The Sisters have been present at births, cared for the sick, and laid out the dead of the East Enders for a hundred years, and Katie soon joins them to start her journey to becoming Sister Catherine Mary.

As a nurse and midwife, Katie learns to deal with everything from strokes to breech births. Tragedy is never far away, but there are also moments of pure joy as lives are saved and the Poplar residents rally round. As a young novice Katie rallies against the vow of obedience, yet over the years learns much about the nature of dedication and love.

Full of desperate hardship, humour and compassion, Katie’s story brings to life the unique world of these nursing Sisters in London’s East End.

Sister Catherine Mary’s story was written by Helen Batten after in-depth interviews with today’s Sisters of the Community of St John the Divine.

©2013 Helen Batten and the Community of St John the Divine 2013 (P)2013 Random House Audiobooks

Spectacular

The story is so full of compassion that draws you into the lives of these communities and families. There is such genuine love, empathy and dignity that was given and received by the families Cathrine Mary and other sisters touched.

Rare find!

I absolutely loved this story. Had me in tears many times. I wish there were more like this one.

Loved it!

Historical. Educating, entertaining.... Extremely well written and read! I'm a student midwife and was excited to find this book... Now on to try and find a similar one.

Loved It

Not what I expected, but found myself engrossed in her journey. Feel good ending.

Very enjoyable

Since I am a fan of “Call the Midwife” I thought I would give this book a try. I was not disappointed.