Η δύναμη της δημιουργίας

by A.J. Cronin, Σάκης Σταύρου (translator)

(...) Κάποτε σήκωσε το πρόσωπό του και τα μάτια του έψαξαν τις κόλλες. Πάνω-πάνω το όνομα που έβλεπε δεν ήταν δικό του. Παίρνοντας λίγο θάρρος συνέχισε παρακάτω ούτε και το επόμενο ήταν. Σαν κοίταξε όμως λίγο πιο κάτω...η καρδιά του χοροπηδούσε σε τρελό ρυθμό λες κι ήθελε να φύγει από τη θέση της. (...)

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Classics, Scotland

199 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1940

About the author

Archibald Joseph Cronin was a Scottish novelist, dramatist, and non-fiction writer who was one of the most renowned storytellers of the twentieth century. His best-known works are The Citadel and The Keys of the Kingdom, both of which were made into Oscar-nominated films. He also created the Dr. Finlay character, the hero of a series of stories that served as the basis for the long-running BBC television and radio series entitled Dr. Finlay's Casebook.
-Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A.J._Cronin

Reviews

[Quynh-Nga Pham]

I've read the Vietnamese translation of this book 1 year ago and felt really touched. Choosing between what you want to be and what others expected you to be are so tough, so I really admire the main character because he's chosen to live true with his own dream.

[arcobaleno · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tutto è bene quel che finisce bene...
Volevo rilassarmi dopo un mese trascorso con la Signora Dalloway. In effetti tanto quella lettura era risultata lenta e complicata, quanto questa è apparsa (almeno a me) scontata e banale; prevedibile e con una fastidiosa dose di buonismo: i bravi sono subito riconoscibili, il medico vince tutti i concorsi e sacrifica la brillante carriera per la generosa e pura arte. Un che di falso eppure ovvio; di casuale eppure prevedibile. Tutto scorre senza guizzi, senza approfondimenti. In definitiva, una lettura... pruriginosa. Cronin letto dopo quarant'anni fa tutto un altro effetto!

...e l'ultimo chiuda la porta!

[Cao Đức Hiếu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quyển này có bản Việt là "Những năm ảo mộng." Ngắn gọn nhưng hay dã man ý, lột tả nội tâm nhân vật rất xuất sắc, và miêu tả những cảm xúc ngoài tình yêu ra cũng cực kì tuyệt vời.

[Manuela Rotasperti · Rating 3 out of 5]

"𝐀 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐨 𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐨 𝐩𝐢ù 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐞; 𝐦𝐚 𝐠𝐢𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐮𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐮𝐢 𝐧𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐨 𝐩𝐢ù 𝐧𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞, 𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐮𝐢 𝐧𝐨𝐧 è 𝐩𝐢ù 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐬𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐥 𝐟𝐮𝐨𝐜𝐨."

Duncan Stirling è un giovane scozzese che insegue il sogno di diventare medico, nonostante la menomazione fisica ad un braccio, conseguenza di una poliomielite avuta da bambino. Il suo cammino per realizzarlo avrà diversi ostacoli, tra cui la madre ostica e scettica che lo caccia di casa ed il futuro collega Overton, benestante ed arrogante, che cercherà di screditarlo. Ma potrà contare sull'aiuto di Anna Geisler, profuga austriaca e famoso chirurgo, nonostante la divergenza di pensiero sull'efficacia di macchinari a discapito dell'intervento umano.

Un libro scorrevole e leggero, che si legge velocemente. La trama è molto lineare e si rivela fin troppo scontata e prevedibile. Sicuramente la seconda parte del libro diviene più interessante ed accattivante, anche se non ci sono veri e propri colpi di scena. A.J.Cronin utilizza uno stile descrittivo, sia di personaggi che ambientazioni. Una #lettura che mi è stata consigliata e che ho apprezzato per la fluidità ed il messaggio: la tenacia ed il coraggio di inseguire I propri sogni... anche se non mi ha particolarmente coinvolta.

[Vincenzo Colasante · Rating 3 out of 5]

L'autore ci porta in Scozia, non lontano da Edimburgo, in quel dolce paesaggio collinare che da lì a poco si tramuterà nelle Highlands, più o meno negli anni '50. Seguiamo la vita di Duncan Stirling (nota esiste un paese con questo nome in Scozia) dalla giovinezza all'essere uomo. Duncan è nato in una famiglia povera, padre allegro ubriacone scozzese e madre rigida come l'acciaio, ed ha anche un braccio offeso dalla poliomielite. Ma vuole diventare medico e la storia ci narra le sue vicissitudini verso il suo obiettivo. La scrittura è dolce e scorrevole e con semplici descrizioni ci trasporta nei luoghi e ci fa conoscere i personaggi, ben delineati anche e mai realmente approfonditi. Sembra quasi di rivedere La Cittadella con Alberto Lupo nella miniserie tv degli anni '60 ad opera della RAI, anch'essa tratta da un romanzo di Cronin

[Dr.J.G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

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THE VALOROUS YEARS by A. J. Cronin.
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Quintessential Cronin, this grabs one at heart immediately, with hard work of an aspiring medical student and poverty of good Scottish people, countered by a few villains, being at heart of the work. Cronin manages here to include an awareness about state of affairs in central Europe, in the form of a refugee who happens to be a brilliant surgeon, her texts read by aspiring students.

As gripping as this work is, there is an unpolished quality that belongs to his earlier work, perhaps, especially noticeable in later part, after the protagonist is already a successful and respected professional, about to attempt the top rung of the ladder to success in his professional career. It keeps showing, too, as the old cliche of a dilemma is brought up, related to a worthy country practice vs the top rung. This continues with escalation, too. And while the end is quite satisfying, the not quite true opposition set up between a country practice vs a hospital chair with use of modern technology for diagnosis is, while common in literature and films, still remains a thorn.
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April 05, 2021 - April 07, 2021.
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[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duncan Stirling hat einen Traum: er möchte Arzt werden und die Menschen heilen. Die Erfüllung dieses Traums scheint unmöglich. Selbst wenn er das Geld für das Studium aufbringen kann- wie soll er mit seinem durch Kinderlähmung verkrüppelten Arm durch den praktischen Teils des Studiums kommen? Aber Duncan gibt seinen Traum nicht auf und tut alles, um ihn wahr werden zu lassen.

Das Buch stammt aus den 50er Jahren und man merkt ihm das Alter deutlich an. Die Sprache wirkt altmodisch, die Handlung ist geradlinig und vorhersehbar und die Rollen sind klar verteilt. Trotzdem ist das Buch zu keiner Zeit langweilig. Richards Kampf gegen die starren Strukturen der Universität, die den Krüppel für minderwertig hält und ihm das Studium nicht zutraut und die Vorurteile gegen seinen weiblichen Professor gibt es sicherlich so heute immer noch.

Auf den romantischen Teil der Geschichte hätte ich verzichten können. Der war sehr hölzern und kam mir ein bisschen wie ein Seitenfüller vor. Da hat sich Duncan sehr ungeschickt angestellt und der Autor hat es nicht geschafft, diese Ungeschicklichkeit schön oder interessant zu erzählen. Aber das ist nur ein kleiner Minuspunkt, insgesamt hat mich der Roman positiv überrascht.

[Darjeelingdo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Duncan, jeune homme issu d'une famille modeste qui rêve de devenir médecin malgré son bras paralysé , à force de travail et de volonté et avec le soutien d'une grande chirurgienne réalise son rêve et même au delà. Aux portes de la « gloire » professionnelle, il s'interroge sur ses choix de vie.

Cronin est un auteur complètement oublié aujourd'hui mais que j'ai lu avec plaisir à l'adolescence et trouver ce roman dans une boîte à livres m'a fait monter une bouffée de souvenirs !

Alors certes les personnages sont un peu caricaturaux, le happy end trop prévisible , c'est plein de bons sentiments et de valeurs aujourd'hui mises à mal (le refus des compromissions, la recherche du bien commun, l'attention aux autres…) mais c'est aussi une réflexion sur le bonheur et les choix à faire pour y parvenir et sans doute aussi pour Cronin,médecin lui-même, un plaidoyer pour une médecine humaniste et proche des gens.
C'est bien écrit et ça rappelle de bons moments de lecture ! 3,5/5

[Socrate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dintr-o privire o zări pe Margaret pe creasta colinei, prea târziu ca să se mai întoarcă din drum. Ducând coşul greu pe braţul său valid, crezuse că poate trece neobservat în coborârea sa spre râu. Dar câinele fetei îl mirosise deja pe al lui.

― Duncan! exclamă tânăra fată. Ei! Duncan Stirling. Pentru ce te eschivezi?

Trebui să se pornească şi să se întoarcă. Cât era de drăguţă cu rochiţa sa scurtă de twed şi pantofiorii de lac! Părul îi strălucea în soare.

Încercă să se scuze.

― Nu te-am văzut, Margaret.

Cu amândouă mâinile, surâzătoare, ea se apăsă pe bastonaşul său, privind ciudata siluetă atât de sărăcăcios îmbrăcată, fruntea mare bombată şi ochii profunzi.

― Doctorul Euen Overton este la pescuit, zise ea. Merg în întâmpinarea lui. Nu l-ai văzut?

El clătină din cap şi ea izbucni în râs:

― Nu prea eşti vorbăreţ pentru un băiat cu care am fost colegă de clasă. Pariez că este vorba de slujba ta cea nouă care se pare că ţi-a sucit capul.

[Tevilda]

I did really enjoy this story and interesting to know the role the author played im the NHS of the UK

I’ve read two books written by actual doctors and this one was definitely the better of the two however I found it amusing that both authors decided to make a doctor who was up against impossible odds and stunted in some yet yet simultaneously have every women in love with him.

Aside from that, good story with some parts that had me put the book down in frustration with the main character’s occasional poor decision (which was integral to the story

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the other Cronin novels I have read—The Country Doctor, The Citadel, and Further Adventures of a Country Doctor—this novel depicts the dedication of a man to overcome obstacles, seek medical education and provide excellent care for patients. Interestingly, this young man, while comprehending textbooks and exhibiting talents in observing and analyzing disease symptoms, demonstrates a complete inability to read and understand women!

[Mathilde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ce livre m’a enseigné l’importance de bien se poser la question entre ce que l’on veut faire, et ce qui nous rapporterait le plus. En d’autres termes, c’est l’histoire d’un médecin torturé par, d’une part, son ambition qui le pousse à devenir le célèbre directeur de la Fondation Wallace de médecine, et d’autre part, son amour pour une femme, qui lui permettrait par ailleurs de satisfaire sa passion pour la médecine comme contact humain.

[Jerry Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than I thought it was going to be. Read quite well and was fast paced. The book is a little sexist, though I suspect it was probably more on the progressive side for its time. For what it is, I can't really fault it for anything other than the dash of sexism here and there, which is disappointing, but I knew it was going to be there just from the cover alone.

[J V Woods · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read

A bit like a condensed The Citadel. So very predictable but I suppose it was a way to earn some easy money writing a chapter in a magazine as a serial. Plot similar to The Citadel so Cronin was plagiarising his own work.

[Antonia Ivanova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Невероятна и прекрасна книга! Връща ме към истински ценното в този свят - добротата, помощта един към друг, следването на мечтите и отстояването на принципите си.
"Всичко идва за този, който умее да чака!"

[Lucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming page-turner

It's a really great read. The book offers hope when a true calling wins over a fear and uncertainty and when a deep sense of humanity wins over cold ambitions.

[Efthymia Ntv · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story has many progressive ideas but little value in terms of literature.

[Aubreesil · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 jours pour le lire haha . Histoire mignonne , ça se lit tout seul mais rien de folichon

[myriam kisfaludi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Très joli roman sur les efforts forcenés d’un enfant pauvre mais déterminé à devenir Médecin. Il fait le choix de la médecine de campagne où il se réalise complètement.

[Vassiliadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Το βιβλίο στα Ελληνικά κυκλοφόρησε με τον τίτλο Η Δύναμη της Δημιουργίας

[Kalin Nikolov · Rating 5 out of 5]

** 5,0 **

Идея/Изпълнение 4,9
Темпо 4,9
Емоция 5,0
Стил-за-жанра 5,0

[Giacomo Gubert · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARCHIBALD JOSEPH CRONIN

Ciò che ci spinge impetuosamente a leggere ancora i romanzi di Cronin, sfidando un certo rigetto che la sua fama di “buon scrittore cattolico” potrebbe avere ingenerato in certuni, sono due cose. In primo luogo la serena, facile e piacevole qualità delle sue storie: racconti di medici, di ospedali, di infermiere, di pazienti, carriere, entusiasmi, amori, vocazioni, dilemmi morali, sofferenze, gioie, di vite buone e cristiane nella Gran Bretagna degli anni cinquanta.
Poi e soprattutto lo possiamo desiderare quale antidoto al dilagare, anche a Stoccolma, di una letteratura tanto esteticamente amorale (dalla vecchia volpe di Milan Kundera alla giovinetta Silke Scheurmann) da imporsi come realtà, triste e desolante. (Che cosa é l’amore in Kundera? Meno che una passione, e non esiste che quello nel suo mondo narrativo.) La chiara intessitura morale dei romanzi di Cronin purifica la mente e il cuore e ci dà ragioni per sperare che la realtà esista ancora. Ed esista in modo eminente.
Cronin lo troverete tutto nelle vecchie biblioteche di famiglia: Bompiani ha cominciato da alcuni anni a ristamparlo: L’albero di Giuda è l’ultimo uscito. Io ho amato molto The Valorous Years e Beyond this place.

[Svilen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Won't be a lie if I say that I didn't like this book. Probably my expectations have been higher than usual comparing it unwittingly with "The Judas Tree" and "The Citadel". I found the narration to be too much intensified. Time periods changed too fast, leaving the characters somehow incomplete. The storyline seemed too simple and easily predictable, on some occasions, it even looked like a short version of "The Citadel" to me. In general, I found the book to be too juvenile (I guess this was intended in which case, I've been too late reading it :) ) but on the other hand it could be an inspiring read for kids and youngsters.

[Dorcas · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

A short novel about a man crippled by infantile paralysis who is determined to become a doctor. 

Interwoven in his life are three women: a female surgeon who endeavours to fix his withered arm, a childhood love betrothed to his enemy, and the daughter of a dour country doctor, each running like threads through the tapestry of his life.

Opposition abounds, arising from his own limitations, scandal, and the antagonism of his fellow man, but in the end these only serve to make the inner man stronger and more sure of what he truly wants in life.

A wonderful read by one of my favorite authors.

Suitable for all readers.

[Cindy Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read English version. Great study a handicapped young man who overcomes great obstacles to become a doctor.
Setting early 20th century Scotland

[Raluca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent book. At first it seemed very depressing but it turns out all right.

[Kha To · Rating 4 out of 5]

Được một người bạn của ba giới thiệu, mình tìm thấy cuốn sách ở tiệm sách cũ ở đường sách Nguyễn Văn Bình. Cuốn sách là hành trình đi tìm lẽ sống, mục tiêu nghề nghiệp của bác sĩ Duncan.

[Michelle Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

First french novel I've read. Simple and predictable, but an enjoyable first read in french...

[Nguyen Thi Thuy Tien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someday, I will read it again. I always forget my dream.