A Nurse's Courage

by Maggie Holt

Orphan Mabel Court's dreams come true when she enters the Booth Street Poor Law Infirmary as a probationer nurse. But it is August 1914, and her world is about to be turned upside down. She soon meets Norah McLoughlin, another probationer, and the two girls—together with Mabel's childhood friend Maudie, now a music-hall dancer—become firm friends. As war rages across Europe, they try to keep their spirits up, but when Mabel's fiancé Harry Drover is wounded at the battle of the Somme, Mabel realizes that the life she and Harry had always hoped for is now an impossibility. Then, when Maudie falls pregnant by an officer, and Norah's young man is lost at sea, all three girls are forced to face the fact that life will never be the same again.

Genres: Historical

512 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2012

About the author

Also wrote under the name Maggie Bennett.

Reviews

[Mel Jenney · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Nurse’s Courage offers more of a grim view than many of the historical fictions I’ve read. Mabel Court works in a Poor Law Infirmary, regularly dealing with London’s poor and poverty-stricken patients. Whilst it is her long-term dream to care for children, her immediate happiness is found in her fiancée Harry, and her close friendships with Nurse Norah and actress Maudie. When WWI breaks out, it will irrevocably change all their lives in heartbreaking ways. As the narrative takes us through the war years, not only do we experience the horror that England as a country suffers, we see the girls fall in love, endure suffering and heartbreak and wonder if they will ever find true happiness again.
What’s interesting is that other books in this genre, while they do touch upon the horrors of war, often the protagonists are nearly always unaffected by death and trauma of those close to them. Holt’s book differs from others as all of the women do deal with death and events that change the course of their lives. And that feels much more realistic and believable, so I believed in their characters much more. And it was nice to see that Mabel got her happy ending, with a man who seems like he loves her-ish? Though I must admit their romance while filled with much longing was resolved too quickly.
The reason for my 3 star review was that sometimes the writing style really didn’t sit comfortably with me. While the descriptions of nursing and the poor was vivid, emotional and sensitive, the sex scenes were uncomfortable at best, and sickening at worst. While connections with characters were believable, the dialogue was very unrealistic and caused me to completely lose my enjoyment. That and Harry seemed like a classic case for Freud to diagnose, his obsession with associating Mabel in a motherly way but at the same time wanting to snuggle into her breasts constantly - grim reading in all honesty.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, and it’s more unflinching perspective of living through a time of national tragedy. But I have read books where I connected to the characters more and was more invested in their personal journeys, and where the writing style was more mature. So I’d give this a good but average 3.5 stars.

[Anne wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book has the reader on the end of their seat

I chose this rating because the book had my full attention throughout. It was like a emotional roller coaster with the reader waiting and hoping that everything would work out for the characters.

[PAULINE J LONG · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good read

I found this book extremely difficult to put down sometimes

I can relate to all the difficulties encountered in nursing children with diphtheria as I had the disease myself when I was about six years old

[Fay Stade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Takes place during WWI in London. Starts with young probationer nurses in a hospital in the poorer section of London. Their lives are tough but they are resilient and we walk with them through the war and experience the loss of family and loved ones.

[Jane Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing read

This book takes you through a life of a poor girl called Mabel who hasn’t had a good start in life. How she works through the First World War and how she comes out the other end. Brilliant read.

[Aurelie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a real gem. If I can add one star, I will do.

We are immersed in the heart of the life of Londoners during the First World War. It is delicate, well written, just what is needed to not let go for a single second this book.
A favorite! A must read for the lovers of this period!

[Mrs L A Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I chose the rating for this book because it's a fabulous story. I loved it. I just did not want it to end. I would have loved a second book to carry on the characters. No recommend the book to anyone who loves a good storey.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really sad book about the difficulties that a population faced in the First World War, about the tragedy in their lives and the resilience of the human spirit. Worth a read

[Kerry O’Nians · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good

[Shirley Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read, albeit a long one! A tale of troubled past and war-torn England. Likeable characters and although it was a little bit predictable, the end was wrapped up beautifully.

[shirley pickin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book was hard to put down got nail biting in places enjoyed it very much.

[Michelle Horn]

really good book,

[Margaret]

Great read

[Carol B Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread

I have read this book before so it says a lot that I wanted to read it again. Anyone who enjoys Bob's Ser in we kind should like it.

[Sandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

cheap book rounder type of book but the story is very realistic and the characters very genuine.