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challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Die Nightingale-Schwestern sind alle verschieden, trotzdem versuchen sie die Kranken (und Armen) soweit zu pflegen und ihnen zu helfen, damit es ihnen besser geht. Der erste Band der Reihe hat mich sofort gepackt und ich werde auf jeden Fall noch mehr von den Nightingale Schwestern lesen. Manche Stellen waren traurig, fast schon gruselig (unglaublich schrecklich) und andere waren einfach herzerwärmend. Ich freue mich auf die Fortsetzungen.
So, this was a bit disappointing.
It took 200 pages until I had a feeling of Drama and intrigues. Before that, nothing really happened.
Even the rape Scene wasn´t good. At the beginning it just felt like: The author needed something to fill the book out and this just sounded dramatic enough.
And then... the Problems started and got solved in only a few pages. I mean... there´s the thrill?
Why 200 pages with nothing, for just another 200 too fast-paced ones?
Also I didn´t expect romance. And a love triangle.
I thought it´s about Dramas, intrigues and friendship. The nursing sisters aren´t even allowed to be in a relationship. And... each of them has a love interest at the end. Oh, one character has two.
I don´t have a Problem with romance.
But I didn´t expected it and to be honest I think this series wouldn´t need one, if the author would Focus on the Story she wanted to tell: The work and living in the Nightingale hopital.
And a love triangle? Come on. (Ok it´s not totally a love triangle. It´s only two guys interested in one woman, but I have the Feeling this will get complicated.)
So, I think I will read the next book and see if it gets better, because I like the Setting of the series and I´m curious about one of the relationships.I like Dora and Nick
It took 200 pages until I had a feeling of Drama and intrigues. Before that, nothing really happened.
And then... the Problems started and got solved in only a few pages. I mean... there´s the thrill?
Why 200 pages with nothing, for just another 200 too fast-paced ones?
Also I didn´t expect romance. And a love triangle.
I thought it´s about Dramas, intrigues and friendship. The nursing sisters aren´t even allowed to be in a relationship. And... each of them has a love interest at the end. Oh, one character has two.
I don´t have a Problem with romance.
But I didn´t expected it and to be honest I think this series wouldn´t need one, if the author would Focus on the Story she wanted to tell: The work and living in the Nightingale hopital.
And a love triangle? Come on. (Ok it´s not totally a love triangle. It´s only two guys interested in one woman, but I have the Feeling this will get complicated.)
So, I think I will read the next book and see if it gets better, because I like the Setting of the series and I´m curious about one of the relationships.
3 1/2 stars. Great for fans of Call the Midwife. Part of a series, so of course there is not complete resolution of some plot lines. I'm ok with that.
4.5 stars
1934 brings unwanted change to the Nightingale, the nursing school set up by Florence Nightingale herself, after the Matron of 30 years retires and a newcomer is selected by the Board, and with the new Matron comes a new selection of probationers.
Dora Doyle is the only one who would never have been accepted before. Oldest daughter of a working-class family, she doesn't fit in with the gently-bred students who seem to use the Nightingale as an alternate finishing school, but the new Matron sees herself in Dora, and overrides objections to bring her in. Dora's place is assured, but she has to overcome the obstacles of expenses, books and the other students to pass.
Along with Dora, we follow three other students from different backgrounds as they undergo their basic nursing training, learning how to scrub lockers, wash bedpans, deal with difficult patients and lay someone out, though there's a light touch of humor which keeps them all going. Each has family problems of her own to deal with, and has to face some troubling realities when conflict arises.
In style, these are somewhat between the Cherry Ames series and [a:Monica Dickens|189368|Monica Dickens|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_50x66-e0ba3b90c110cd67123d6a850d85373e.png]' [b:One Pair Of Feet|18161452|One Pair Of Feet|Monica Dickens|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1372947002s/18161452.jpg|25522127], with more detail and a little more harshness than Cherry comes across but with more sincerity and less flippancy than Monica Dickens portrays. Either way, we get a glimpse into the past where ward reports, Matrons and lock-in for nurses were common, and when patients were known to their nurses.
I look forward to reading the others.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
1934 brings unwanted change to the Nightingale, the nursing school set up by Florence Nightingale herself, after the Matron of 30 years retires and a newcomer is selected by the Board, and with the new Matron comes a new selection of probationers.
Dora Doyle is the only one who would never have been accepted before. Oldest daughter of a working-class family, she doesn't fit in with the gently-bred students who seem to use the Nightingale as an alternate finishing school, but the new Matron sees herself in Dora, and overrides objections to bring her in. Dora's place is assured, but she has to overcome the obstacles of expenses, books and the other students to pass.
Along with Dora, we follow three other students from different backgrounds as they undergo their basic nursing training, learning how to scrub lockers, wash bedpans, deal with difficult patients and lay someone out, though there's a light touch of humor which keeps them all going. Each has family problems of her own to deal with, and has to face some troubling realities when conflict arises.
In style, these are somewhat between the Cherry Ames series and [a:Monica Dickens|189368|Monica Dickens|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_50x66-e0ba3b90c110cd67123d6a850d85373e.png]' [b:One Pair Of Feet|18161452|One Pair Of Feet|Monica Dickens|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1372947002s/18161452.jpg|25522127], with more detail and a little more harshness than Cherry comes across but with more sincerity and less flippancy than Monica Dickens portrays. Either way, we get a glimpse into the past where ward reports, Matrons and lock-in for nurses were common, and when patients were known to their nurses.
I look forward to reading the others.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Continuing the stories of the trainee nurses from [b:The Nightingale Girls|13536867|The Nightingale Girls|Donna Douglas|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1333576335s/13536867.jpg|19098590] along with the Sisters - and patients - who teach them, this gives a great picture of hospital life as it used to be.
This book is set against the Blackshirt uprising (the British Union of Fascists), revealing how deep the hatred and racism cut even with people who'd grown up together, but the protests and fear caused by the Blackshirts are not the focus. The focus is, rightly, on the Sisters, high-ranking nurses, who not only maintain a ward but are almost its lifeblood for decades; the Night Sisters who stay on night duty rather than rotating round; and the nurses who scrub and spruce wards and patients alike before the doctors and Matron make their rounds.
It also reveals more of life for the student nurses, as the probationers end up bathing in cold water (no hot left by the time the bathroom is theirs) and the more senior nurses learn what it really means to the patients to be "made comfortable" on some wards.
We see optimism and despair in the patients, some of whom fear their fate and others who have given up on life, but through it all there is surprising kindness and compassion.
But that's not all. These nurses are people too, and we see more of their home lives and how their family have shaped their characters, creating resolve and determination or hiding secrets. There are the usual conflicts and squabbles, pride and stubbornness, and some jealousy appears in different forms, but there is also a sense of community in both the East End and in the hospital, a sense of family, and that's what makes it worthwhile.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is set against the Blackshirt uprising (the British Union of Fascists), revealing how deep the hatred and racism cut even with people who'd grown up together, but the protests and fear caused by the Blackshirts are not the focus. The focus is, rightly, on the Sisters, high-ranking nurses, who not only maintain a ward but are almost its lifeblood for decades; the Night Sisters who stay on night duty rather than rotating round; and the nurses who scrub and spruce wards and patients alike before the doctors and Matron make their rounds.
It also reveals more of life for the student nurses, as the probationers end up bathing in cold water (no hot left by the time the bathroom is theirs) and the more senior nurses learn what it really means to the patients to be "made comfortable" on some wards.
We see optimism and despair in the patients, some of whom fear their fate and others who have given up on life, but through it all there is surprising kindness and compassion.
But that's not all. These nurses are people too, and we see more of their home lives and how their family have shaped their characters, creating resolve and determination or hiding secrets. There are the usual conflicts and squabbles, pride and stubbornness, and some jealousy appears in different forms, but there is also a sense of community in both the East End and in the hospital, a sense of family, and that's what makes it worthwhile.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was approved an ARC of this book by the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This review in its entirety was originally posted at eclectictales.com: http://www.eclectictales.com/blog/2015/05/22/review-the-nightingale-girls/
The reader follows Dora, Millie, and Helen, as they go through their probationary period and first year with classes, become accustomed to what is required of them, learn to deal with patients and staff, and interact with each other. Each main character comes from a different socioeconomic background, but they are all similar in that they want to excel as nurses. They have their ups and downs with the profession, whether it be failing a practicum or getting in trouble and having to go before the Matron, but I love how their friendship with each other grows that they’re able to support each other by the end of the novel.
Their individual storylines were interesting and I was invested to reading how it all works out for them. Helen undergoes quite a major character journey from being under her mother’s formidable persona with a very quiet, compliant persona to becoming a woman who makes her own decisions regardless of her mother’s opinion and finding happiness along the way. Millie also goes through a journey of responsibility and finding herself in a wee bit of a love triangle (sort of); I think I find her the most endearing of the three because she just wants to do her own thing despite coming from an aristocratic family. Dora’s story was the darkest, not because of her working class background and her difficulties fitting in, but because of her stepfather and his presence in her life.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading The Nightingale Girls. I was wholly invested in their stories and cared for many of the people in their lives. I highly recommend this novel for readers of historical fiction and fans of Call the Midwife and other related medical period dramas.
The reader follows Dora, Millie, and Helen, as they go through their probationary period and first year with classes, become accustomed to what is required of them, learn to deal with patients and staff, and interact with each other. Each main character comes from a different socioeconomic background, but they are all similar in that they want to excel as nurses. They have their ups and downs with the profession, whether it be failing a practicum or getting in trouble and having to go before the Matron, but I love how their friendship with each other grows that they’re able to support each other by the end of the novel.
Their individual storylines were interesting and I was invested to reading how it all works out for them. Helen undergoes quite a major character journey from being under her mother’s formidable persona with a very quiet, compliant persona to becoming a woman who makes her own decisions regardless of her mother’s opinion and finding happiness along the way. Millie also goes through a journey of responsibility and finding herself in a wee bit of a love triangle (sort of); I think I find her the most endearing of the three because she just wants to do her own thing despite coming from an aristocratic family. Dora’s story was the darkest, not because of her working class background and her difficulties fitting in, but because of her stepfather and his presence in her life.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading The Nightingale Girls. I was wholly invested in their stories and cared for many of the people in their lives. I highly recommend this novel for readers of historical fiction and fans of Call the Midwife and other related medical period dramas.
Actual rating 3.5
multiple POVs difficult to follow
multiple POVs difficult to follow
I had the series on my kindle, but have not read any when I bought this one on audible. I am now torn between reading or listening, as the narration was excellent and she made the characters come to life. All in all an enjoyable change from usual my crime and fantasy genres. I will continue with this series.
I read all of these books in about a week. As a huge fan of Call the Midwife, I love this time period and I fell in love with all the characters. I am hoping that there are more books coming soon!!!
Premier tome d’une (longue?) série, Les Filles du Nightingale pose le décor et nous emmène à la rencontre de ces jeunes étudiantes infirmières anglaises des années 30.
Dora espère quitter son quartier ouvrier, et surtout fuir son affreux beau-père pour une meilleure vie. Parmi les étudiantes du Nightingale, elle comprend vite qu’elle n’a pas reçu la même éducation que les autres, mais est bien déterminée à montrer qu’elle possède toutes les qualités requises. Helen est calme, elle s’abstient de toute sorte d’amusement. Sa mère est administratrice de l’hôpital et contrôle la vie de sa fille depuis toujours. Millie est une aristocrate rebelle qui se heurte régulièrement à l’infirmière en chef. Entre une carrière d’infirmière qu’elle souhaite poursuivre et un retour à sa vie d’avant, y aura-t-il un choix à faire?
Je ne m’attendais pas à aimer autant ce livre. Malgré quelques longueurs, j’ai dévoré cette petite brique de presque 700 pages en 4 jours.
Les personnages sont attachants et j’ai pris plaisir à les voir évoluer au fil des pages.
Entre drames familiaux, amours, disputes, désaccords et coups bas, les jeunes étudiantes font preuve de courage et de détermination dans ce milieu médical qui ne leur est pas vraiment favorable.
J’ai très envie de lire la suite !
Dora espère quitter son quartier ouvrier, et surtout fuir son affreux beau-père pour une meilleure vie. Parmi les étudiantes du Nightingale, elle comprend vite qu’elle n’a pas reçu la même éducation que les autres, mais est bien déterminée à montrer qu’elle possède toutes les qualités requises. Helen est calme, elle s’abstient de toute sorte d’amusement. Sa mère est administratrice de l’hôpital et contrôle la vie de sa fille depuis toujours. Millie est une aristocrate rebelle qui se heurte régulièrement à l’infirmière en chef. Entre une carrière d’infirmière qu’elle souhaite poursuivre et un retour à sa vie d’avant, y aura-t-il un choix à faire?
Je ne m’attendais pas à aimer autant ce livre. Malgré quelques longueurs, j’ai dévoré cette petite brique de presque 700 pages en 4 jours.
Les personnages sont attachants et j’ai pris plaisir à les voir évoluer au fil des pages.
Entre drames familiaux, amours, disputes, désaccords et coups bas, les jeunes étudiantes font preuve de courage et de détermination dans ce milieu médical qui ne leur est pas vraiment favorable.
J’ai très envie de lire la suite !