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harini's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
The story was engaging and that's honestly the only thing that kept me reading this book. I liked the characters too but none were my favorites. The writing is what let the book down for me. It was a tad dull for my taste and dragged on.
I would still recommend this book as the story is something that everyone needs to read.
The story was engaging and that's honestly the only thing that kept me reading this book. I liked the characters too but none were my favorites. The writing is what let the book down for me. It was a tad dull for my taste and dragged on.
I would still recommend this book as the story is something that everyone needs to read.
joemaggs's review against another edition
5.0
A brilliant book that will really make you think; not only about just how far we’ve come to have the NHS but also about what’s more important in life - money or a sense of purpose. Manson is an extremely imperfect hero - this book is truly of its time and so we see the protagonist shackle his wife into the misogynistic role of standing by her husband despite his aggression, mistreatment and infidelity, all while putting him and his ideas on a pedestal and having his tea ready at the end of the day. It’s a shame her character is not allowed to develop at all, really - she simply serves as a vehicle through which Manson is idolised. The book is thoroughly interesting and you’ll feel immersed in the time, and will definitely experience a rollercoaster of emotions - for me particularly it was sheer frustration and disappointment at Manson’s actions. Overall, a great book that excellently explores the nature of medicine at the time while navigating what is essentially one of life’s biggest questions - what do you hold most dear?
pxr014's review against another edition
4.0
More of a 3.5 star book. I opted to give it 4 stars because it did resonate with me, especially towards the beginning.
I was recommended this book by one of my PSUCOM interviewers almost 2 years ago. We bonded over being readers, but quickly realized that we had very different taste in books (not a bad thing!). She recommended several books to me, but this was the one that stuck out to me and that I got from the library a week after my interviews. It has sat on my bookshelf ever since, until recently, when I decided to give it a go.
Apparently, this book is something of a classic when it comes to medical novels. I am amazed at the impact it had in the UK at the time (1930s and 40s), highlighting many of the issues of the healthcare system. In fact, this book was an inspiration for the introduction of the NHS, the way Upton Sinclair's [b:The Jungle|41681|The Jungle|Upton Sinclair|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1332140681s/41681.jpg|1253187] prompted the federal government to investigate the meatpacking industry and thus inspired the eventual creation of the FDA (never say a book can't have large impacts on society! Although unfortunately Sinclair's goal with his novel was very different from what the federal government ended up instating; but that's a different story for a different review).
As with most compelling stories, this one is still very relatable, especially in the US. It's been close to 100 years since this book was written, but Cronin's criticism of the healthcare system of the UK in the 1930s, in which doctors are sometimes incompetent or uncaring, in which money often comes before the health of patients, in which the poor and uneducated are not given the care they deserve, still holds true in 21st century America. As someone who will be starting my own journey into physicianship soon, the book has given me a lot to think about. I anticipate I'll probably re-read this book, although perhaps in the more distant future.
But I'm not just a budding doctor; I'm also a reader, and boy, do I have some issues with this book when it comes to the writing. There's a reason why this book, despite the very real impact it had when it was written and the pressing matters it discusses, has largely become forgotten.
The book starts out in a very promising way. I loved all of the characters, who were pretty well fleshed out. At one point, the main character and his friend decide that the only way they're going to get a leaking sewer replaced and thus save the town from the enteric fever that has been spreading is to blow it up. Having 2 doctors sneak over to a sewer in the dead of night and drop some dynamite in it to save their patients--within the first 50 pages--is a pretty promising start. However, as the book progressed, the characters became flatter and the plot more repetitive. Andrew would face some injustice, he would get angry, he would do something against the status quo, he'd get in trouble, but then because he was so good at his job/did the right thing, he'd somehow land a higher position, then at the new position, the cycle would start over. This was broken by Andrew's descent into depravity in the last quarter or so of the book. I understand that Cronin was trying to highlight the faults of the system, but his plot (which was lovely at first) became so mundane after about 200 pages in. The last half of the book was such a slog. The newer characters became one-dimensional, Andrew became annoying, and the plot slowed down. The biggest injustice Cronin committed, however, was towards Christine, who started out as one of my favorite characters and ended the book as a trope. She went from fiery, smart-as-a-whip schoolmarm to the devoted but neglected wife whose constancy serves as a moral anchor for the wandering husband. She deserved better.
That being said, Cronin was really good with scene, and even in the lowest points of the story, moments would shine through that reminded me why I enjoyed the book so much in the first place (like when Andrew takes Christine to the Plaza for a disastrous meal). The ending wasn't too bad. Unfortunately, it was a bit preachy in places (again, more so toward the end), culminating in Andrew's page and a half long monologue on the state of the healthcare system.
Not a bad book. It made me think. I liked the characters. It had so much potential to be a really outstanding book, but it didn't quite get there.
I was recommended this book by one of my PSUCOM interviewers almost 2 years ago. We bonded over being readers, but quickly realized that we had very different taste in books (not a bad thing!). She recommended several books to me, but this was the one that stuck out to me and that I got from the library a week after my interviews. It has sat on my bookshelf ever since, until recently, when I decided to give it a go.
Apparently, this book is something of a classic when it comes to medical novels. I am amazed at the impact it had in the UK at the time (1930s and 40s), highlighting many of the issues of the healthcare system. In fact, this book was an inspiration for the introduction of the NHS, the way Upton Sinclair's [b:The Jungle|41681|The Jungle|Upton Sinclair|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1332140681s/41681.jpg|1253187] prompted the federal government to investigate the meatpacking industry and thus inspired the eventual creation of the FDA (never say a book can't have large impacts on society! Although unfortunately Sinclair's goal with his novel was very different from what the federal government ended up instating; but that's a different story for a different review).
As with most compelling stories, this one is still very relatable, especially in the US. It's been close to 100 years since this book was written, but Cronin's criticism of the healthcare system of the UK in the 1930s, in which doctors are sometimes incompetent or uncaring, in which money often comes before the health of patients, in which the poor and uneducated are not given the care they deserve, still holds true in 21st century America. As someone who will be starting my own journey into physicianship soon, the book has given me a lot to think about. I anticipate I'll probably re-read this book, although perhaps in the more distant future.
But I'm not just a budding doctor; I'm also a reader, and boy, do I have some issues with this book when it comes to the writing. There's a reason why this book, despite the very real impact it had when it was written and the pressing matters it discusses, has largely become forgotten.
The book starts out in a very promising way. I loved all of the characters, who were pretty well fleshed out. At one point, the main character and his friend decide that the only way they're going to get a leaking sewer replaced and thus save the town from the enteric fever that has been spreading is to blow it up. Having 2 doctors sneak over to a sewer in the dead of night and drop some dynamite in it to save their patients--within the first 50 pages--is a pretty promising start. However, as the book progressed, the characters became flatter and the plot more repetitive. Andrew would face some injustice, he would get angry, he would do something against the status quo, he'd get in trouble, but then because he was so good at his job/did the right thing, he'd somehow land a higher position, then at the new position, the cycle would start over. This was broken by Andrew's descent into depravity in the last quarter or so of the book. I understand that Cronin was trying to highlight the faults of the system, but his plot (which was lovely at first) became so mundane after about 200 pages in. The last half of the book was such a slog. The newer characters became one-dimensional, Andrew became annoying, and the plot slowed down. The biggest injustice Cronin committed, however, was towards Christine, who started out as one of my favorite characters and ended the book as a trope. She went from fiery, smart-as-a-whip schoolmarm to the devoted but neglected wife whose constancy serves as a moral anchor for the wandering husband. She deserved better.
That being said, Cronin was really good with scene, and even in the lowest points of the story, moments would shine through that reminded me why I enjoyed the book so much in the first place (like when Andrew takes Christine to the Plaza for a disastrous meal). The ending wasn't too bad. Unfortunately, it was a bit preachy in places (again, more so toward the end), culminating in Andrew's page and a half long monologue on the state of the healthcare system.
Not a bad book. It made me think. I liked the characters. It had so much potential to be a really outstanding book, but it didn't quite get there.
ilyap's review against another edition
4.0
Muy interesante el enfoque que aporta sobre las sociedades médicas del principio del siglo anterior. Personalmente, el ritmo que llevaba el libro al principio hacia que fuese un poco difícil de leer pero a medida que va avanzando te vas enganchando más al estilo del autor. Cristina y Denny mis personajes favoritos.
epictetsocrate's review against another edition
3.0
Spre sfârșitul unei după-amiezi de octombrie a anului 1924, un tânăr îmbrăcat în haine cam ponosite căta, cu o privire fixă, prin fereastra unui compartiment de clasa a treia a trenului aproape gol care, pornit din Swansea, urca opintindu-se din greu pe panta văii Penowell. Manson călătorise toată ziua, venind dinspre nord, schimbase trenul la Carlisle și Shrewsbury, totuși era foarte agitat în această ultimă parte a plictisitorului drum care ducea către sudul Țării Galilor. Căci la capătul drumului, în acest ținut straniu și mutilat, îl aștepta postul lui ― primul din cariera sa medicală.
Afară se stârni o ploaie cumplită, care acoperi asemenea unui oblon munții ce se înălțau de amândouă părțile căii ferate cu un singur terasament. Piscurile lor se pierdeau în necuprinsul cenușiu al cerului, dar povârnișurile ciopârțite de puțurile minelor coborau negre și posomorâte, întinate de mormane mari de zgură peste care câteva oi murdare rătăceau de colo-colo, în speranța deșartă că vor găsi ceva de păscut. Cât vedeai cu ochii, niciun tufiș, nicio urmă de vegetație. În umbra crescândă a serii, copacii păreau niște stafii pitice și descărnate. La o cotitură a căii ferate, fulgeră pe neașteptate strălucirea roșie a unei turnătorii, luminând un grup de muncitori, ale căror busturi goale se încordau, în timp ce brațele se ridicau pentru a lovi. Deși această scenă se pierdu repede în spatele siluetei neprecis conturate a suprastructurii unei mine, ea lăsa în urmă o impresie de forță vie și intensă. Manson trase adânc aer în piept: simțea crescând în el drept răspuns o energie nestăvilită, o bruscă și covârșitoare voie bună, țâșnită din speranțele și făgăduielile viitorului.
Se lăsase întunericul, subliniind și mai mult ciudățenia și nefirescul împrejurimilor, atunci când, o jumătate de oră mai târziu, locomotiva intră gâfâind în Blaenelly, un orășel așezat la extremitatea văii și la capătul căii ferate: în sfârșit ajunsese. Apucându-și valiza, Manson sări din tren și străbătu repede peronul, căutând cu lăcomie un semn de bun venit. La ieșirea din gară, dedesubtul unei lămpi zgâlțâite de vânt, aștepta un bătrânel cu chipul gălbejit, cu o pălărie colțuroasă pe cap și îmbrăcat într-un impermeabil lung până la călcâie. El îl cercetă pe Manson cu ochi de icteric, apoi se hotărî, oarecum în silă, să vorbească:
― Dumneata ești noul asistent al doctorului Page?
― Da. Manson. Andrew Manson, așa mă cheamă!
― Hm! Pe mine Thomas. Lumea îmi zice de obicei moș Thomas, naiba s-o ia! Am brișca aici. Urcă în ea… sau poate vrei mai bine să înoți?
Afară se stârni o ploaie cumplită, care acoperi asemenea unui oblon munții ce se înălțau de amândouă părțile căii ferate cu un singur terasament. Piscurile lor se pierdeau în necuprinsul cenușiu al cerului, dar povârnișurile ciopârțite de puțurile minelor coborau negre și posomorâte, întinate de mormane mari de zgură peste care câteva oi murdare rătăceau de colo-colo, în speranța deșartă că vor găsi ceva de păscut. Cât vedeai cu ochii, niciun tufiș, nicio urmă de vegetație. În umbra crescândă a serii, copacii păreau niște stafii pitice și descărnate. La o cotitură a căii ferate, fulgeră pe neașteptate strălucirea roșie a unei turnătorii, luminând un grup de muncitori, ale căror busturi goale se încordau, în timp ce brațele se ridicau pentru a lovi. Deși această scenă se pierdu repede în spatele siluetei neprecis conturate a suprastructurii unei mine, ea lăsa în urmă o impresie de forță vie și intensă. Manson trase adânc aer în piept: simțea crescând în el drept răspuns o energie nestăvilită, o bruscă și covârșitoare voie bună, țâșnită din speranțele și făgăduielile viitorului.
Se lăsase întunericul, subliniind și mai mult ciudățenia și nefirescul împrejurimilor, atunci când, o jumătate de oră mai târziu, locomotiva intră gâfâind în Blaenelly, un orășel așezat la extremitatea văii și la capătul căii ferate: în sfârșit ajunsese. Apucându-și valiza, Manson sări din tren și străbătu repede peronul, căutând cu lăcomie un semn de bun venit. La ieșirea din gară, dedesubtul unei lămpi zgâlțâite de vânt, aștepta un bătrânel cu chipul gălbejit, cu o pălărie colțuroasă pe cap și îmbrăcat într-un impermeabil lung până la călcâie. El îl cercetă pe Manson cu ochi de icteric, apoi se hotărî, oarecum în silă, să vorbească:
― Dumneata ești noul asistent al doctorului Page?
― Da. Manson. Andrew Manson, așa mă cheamă!
― Hm! Pe mine Thomas. Lumea îmi zice de obicei moș Thomas, naiba s-o ia! Am brișca aici. Urcă în ea… sau poate vrei mai bine să înoți?
rorycoleman44's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Characters: 3/5 the main character was a jerk but he was a very well written jerk. His wife needed more fleshing out and Ino that’s because it’s written in the 30s but still.
Relationships: 0/5 the relationship annoyed me honestly should’ve left it out of the book the romance plot was unnecessary.
Ending: 5/5 very good ending
Excitement/Can’t-Put-Downess: 3/5 slow in the middle
Total: 11/20 = 2.75 but I’m bumping it up to 3.75⭐️ and ignoring the system because the message of the book was very good and I do feel different after reading it despite the annoying romance subplot.
girlnextshore's review against another edition
4.0
Written in the 1930s, The Citadel is often cited as AJ Cronin’s most influential piece, as it is noted to have inspired laying the foundation for the UK’s health system/the NHS.
While I found some of the writing quite aged (particularly Cronin’s depiction of women), most of the issues here are still relevant in health and care.
The underlying theme that resonates is the path to ambition, wherein it begs the question how much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice for success?
While I found some of the writing quite aged (particularly Cronin’s depiction of women), most of the issues here are still relevant in health and care.
The underlying theme that resonates is the path to ambition, wherein it begs the question how much of yourself are you willing to sacrifice for success?
swdancer's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Medical trauma
Moderate: Car accident, Infertility, and Miscarriage