What do you think?
Rate this book
The District Nurse #1
The District Nurses of Victory Walk
The compelling bestseller from the author of The Mersey Daughter and Winter on the Mersey.Alice Lake has arrived in London from Liverpool to start her training as a District Nurse, but her journey has been far from easy. Her parents think that she should settle down and get married, but she has already had her heart broken once and isn’t about to make the same mistake again.
Alice and her best friend Edith are based in the East End but before they’ve even got their smart new uniforms on, war breaks out and Hitler’s bombs are raining down on London.Alice must learn to keep calm and carry on as she tends to London’s sick and injured, all the time facing her own heartache and misfortune while keeping up the Spirit of the Blitz…
Alice and her best friend Edith are based in the East End but before they’ve even got their smart new uniforms on, war breaks out and Hitler’s bombs are raining down on London.Alice must learn to keep calm and carry on as she tends to London’s sick and injured, all the time facing her own heartache and misfortune while keeping up the Spirit of the Blitz…
417 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2018
431 people are currently reading
508 people want to read
About the author
Annie Groves
40 books171 followersPenelope Jones Halsall aka: Caroline Courtney, Penny Jordan, Lydia Hitchcock, Melinda Wright
Penelope "Penny" Jones was born on November 24, 1946 in a Preston, Lancashire, England.
She had been a keen reader from the childhood. She was a storyteller long before she began to write romantic fiction.
She has earned a living as a writer since the 1970s when, as a shorthand typist, she entered a competition run by the Romantic Novelists' Association. Although she didn't win, she found an agent. She published four regency novels as Caroline Courtney, before changing her name to Melinda Wright and then she wrote two thrillers as Lydia Hitchcock. Soon after that, Mills and Boon accepted her first novel for them, Falcon's Prey as Penny Jordan. However, for her present historical romance novels, she has adopted her mother's maiden-name to become Annie Groves. Almost 70m of her 167 Mills and Boon novels have been sold worldwide.
Now Penny Halsall lived in a house in Nantwich, Cheshire. She worked from home.
Penny died on 31 December 2011.
Penelope "Penny" Jones was born on November 24, 1946 in a Preston, Lancashire, England.
She had been a keen reader from the childhood. She was a storyteller long before she began to write romantic fiction.
She has earned a living as a writer since the 1970s when, as a shorthand typist, she entered a competition run by the Romantic Novelists' Association. Although she didn't win, she found an agent. She published four regency novels as Caroline Courtney, before changing her name to Melinda Wright and then she wrote two thrillers as Lydia Hitchcock. Soon after that, Mills and Boon accepted her first novel for them, Falcon's Prey as Penny Jordan. However, for her present historical romance novels, she has adopted her mother's maiden-name to become Annie Groves. Almost 70m of her 167 Mills and Boon novels have been sold worldwide.
Now Penny Halsall lived in a house in Nantwich, Cheshire. She worked from home.
Penny died on 31 December 2011.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
April 30, 2019
This story is set in England in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Alice and Edith are best friends and went to nursing school together. They are assigned as District Nurses to the East End of London at Victory Walk when World War II begins.
The book is well written and researched. The characters are most interesting. The story contains humor, drama and historical information including the state of nursing and medical in 1939-40. The book was easy to read. I am particularly curious about the role of the District Nurses. If you are interested in historical fiction set in London in the early 1940s, this book is for you. I understand that Anne Groves is a pseudonym for Penny Jordon Halsall (1946-2011). Halsall is a well-known British novelist.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is eleven hours and eighteen minutes. Alex Tregear does a good job narrating the book. Tregear is a voice actor and audiobook narrator.
The book is well written and researched. The characters are most interesting. The story contains humor, drama and historical information including the state of nursing and medical in 1939-40. The book was easy to read. I am particularly curious about the role of the District Nurses. If you are interested in historical fiction set in London in the early 1940s, this book is for you. I understand that Anne Groves is a pseudonym for Penny Jordon Halsall (1946-2011). Halsall is a well-known British novelist.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is eleven hours and eighteen minutes. Alex Tregear does a good job narrating the book. Tregear is a voice actor and audiobook narrator.
June 8, 2018
Absolutely brilliant story written by Annie Groves set around the lives of the district nurse in wartime Britain. A story of friendship,love,loss and hope that I really enjoyed reading. Recommended.
July 2, 2018
District nurses
What a story war, love ,loss ,and the district nurses it had it all a must for readers who love war sagas and nursing 5 STARS.
What a story war, love ,loss ,and the district nurses it had it all a must for readers who love war sagas and nursing 5 STARS.
June 3, 2018
Having been a lover of books from the Annie Groves pen name i was looking forward to this new book.It is a beautifully written story of life as a District Nurse during the second world war,of the friendships forged and of love.Alice and Edith are best friends and formed a close bond since training together.When they arrive at Victory Walk they are met by the superintendent and made to feel at home given an idea of what their job will be they embark on a new chapter in their young lives.I can highly recomend this book and can't wait for the next book.Well worth the 5*
July 22, 2018
Enjoyed this book. but felt the writing wasn't the same under the new author who now writes since Annie Groves Died in 2011.
Having read books when Annie was writing them I can see the differences.
still a good book don't let this put you off, A nice new series about 3 nurses in WW2 .
The story line is good and is a nice read, just isn't the same for me since Annie Died as was so used to her writing style.
rated 3 stars.
Having read books when Annie was writing them I can see the differences.
still a good book don't let this put you off, A nice new series about 3 nurses in WW2 .
The story line is good and is a nice read, just isn't the same for me since Annie Died as was so used to her writing style.
rated 3 stars.
July 31, 2018
With some reluctance and anxiety I embarked on another Annie Groves series. The reluctance comes from the fact that last two series suffered from Casteel syndrome. Any VC Andrews fans will know what that is for those who aren't it's when a series changes author in the middle and even though the new author is good they don't have the same vision for the characters and storylines as to the original writer. Now with this new series my hope is that this series will not have the same fate.
The story begins in early summer 1939 as Alice and Edith begin their work at the Victory Walk district nurses home in the East End of London. Alice is serious and prefers to stay in at night with a good book to going out (My kind of girl) while Edith is fun loving and enjoys breaking curfew and flaunting rules. The girls soon settle in and meet fellow nurses Mary a flighty type with her head is the clouds or the sand so who is at times infuriating, Fiona who is in charge, Gwen her deputy who is stern serious and looking for any slip ups from her nurses and Gladys the maid. Each of them have their own stories from Alice who is mending a broken heart to Edith eager to escape from a large poor family and Fiona and Gwen who hope to avoid the devastation of the last war as another one looms on the horizon. While on her rounds Alice meets young mother Kathleen, whose husband has gone off to sea and has left his wife and child to fend for themselves. Through her Alice and Edith also meet the Banhams and friendship and romance blooms. As war is declared new friends depart for the various armed forces, the nurses assist in evacuations, teaching first aid and tending those wounded in blackouts wondering if the war will be over before it really began. But with the spring of 1940 the Nazis are on the March and Dunkirk brings the first casualties and tragedy to the home front. This was a promising book and I'm hopeful it will continue to impress. Ending just after the evacuation of Dunkirk before the blitz and reality of war really sets in it'll be interesting to see where this story goes.
The story begins in early summer 1939 as Alice and Edith begin their work at the Victory Walk district nurses home in the East End of London. Alice is serious and prefers to stay in at night with a good book to going out (My kind of girl) while Edith is fun loving and enjoys breaking curfew and flaunting rules. The girls soon settle in and meet fellow nurses Mary a flighty type with her head is the clouds or the sand so who is at times infuriating, Fiona who is in charge, Gwen her deputy who is stern serious and looking for any slip ups from her nurses and Gladys the maid. Each of them have their own stories from Alice who is mending a broken heart to Edith eager to escape from a large poor family and Fiona and Gwen who hope to avoid the devastation of the last war as another one looms on the horizon. While on her rounds Alice meets young mother Kathleen, whose husband has gone off to sea and has left his wife and child to fend for themselves. Through her Alice and Edith also meet the Banhams and friendship and romance blooms. As war is declared new friends depart for the various armed forces, the nurses assist in evacuations, teaching first aid and tending those wounded in blackouts wondering if the war will be over before it really began. But with the spring of 1940 the Nazis are on the March and Dunkirk brings the first casualties and tragedy to the home front. This was a promising book and I'm hopeful it will continue to impress. Ending just after the evacuation of Dunkirk before the blitz and reality of war really sets in it'll be interesting to see where this story goes.
September 6, 2022
I was at a loss for words at the end of this book until I found out it’s the first in a series so I’m pretty stoked about that now. It couldn’t just end like that. This book starts off with two friends getting interviewed to become district nurses in a new town. At the same time, a possible war is brewing and they’re not sure just how bad it may get. Until the papers declare that their country is at war, they are going to meet new people, see what their new town has to offer, and just have some fun. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out during the series. Reading not only how their careers play out but also their friendships and relationships. Will they also have the honor to enlist and provide their services elsewhere or will they feel obligated to continue to care for the less fortunate in their town?
February 10, 2019
This book portrayed a story of a nurse during times of poverty and threats of war, and how real it could be. However, I had moments of laughter and compassion, which truly put me inside the story, as if I was right there with them. And lastly, the characters are ones you fall in love with, with their own unique personalities, and they underwent a mature change throughout the whole novel.
I totally recommend this book if you love some romance, historical fiction, and friendship.
I totally recommend this book if you love some romance, historical fiction, and friendship.
December 15, 2024
I like light historical novels about nurses so I pounced when I saw The District Nurses of Victory Walk free for Kindle some time ago. While it’s definitely light, there is very little nursing content at all and the characters and story don’t have much depth to them at all. What could have been good fun ended up being frustrating as it was difficult to separate characters and create images in my head of the setting.
Edith (Edie) and Alice are new district nurses in East London in the late 1930s. Alice is nursing (no pun intended) heartbreak while Edie is out for a good time. Early in the novel, Alice helps a young mother called Kathleen and then she and Edie become friends of the family. Unfortunately, the medical parts tend to start and end with Kathleen and a couple of other episodes. The focus is initially on Alice, Edie and their colleague Mary’s social life and then moves towards prepping for World War II. The girls fall in love, make new friends and generally settle into their lives.
The characters unfortunately are generally caricatures/stereotypes without much depth. Alice is the good girl, Edie is the flighty one who settles down for love and Mary is particularly clueless. We also have the daring young man Harry, the quiet but handsome one (brother Joe) and the boy next door who Kathleen should have married instead of her abusive husband. In the nurses’ home, there’s grumpy (with a reason not revealed until the end) Gwen and superintendent Fiona, friendly but firm. Initially, the story is quite coherent focusing on Alice and the other nurses but as it goes on, it became more fractured. It’s like each chapter is its own short story or serial and they don’t flow on well from each other. There were also large time jumps, particularly after the war started which emphasised the lack of cohesiveness. The story is vaguely interesting, and would do if you were on the beach or not feeling well, but it lacked heart for me. I didn’t really care for the characters or feel that I wanted to continue with the series. There’s no detail to make them individual, any extra beyond basic description seemed formulaic. It’s not Call the Midwife – if you want stories focusing on nurses with well-drawn characters, the Nightingales series by Donna Douglas or Fetch Nurse Connie by Jean Fullerton are much more interesting.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
Edith (Edie) and Alice are new district nurses in East London in the late 1930s. Alice is nursing (no pun intended) heartbreak while Edie is out for a good time. Early in the novel, Alice helps a young mother called Kathleen and then she and Edie become friends of the family. Unfortunately, the medical parts tend to start and end with Kathleen and a couple of other episodes. The focus is initially on Alice, Edie and their colleague Mary’s social life and then moves towards prepping for World War II. The girls fall in love, make new friends and generally settle into their lives.
The characters unfortunately are generally caricatures/stereotypes without much depth. Alice is the good girl, Edie is the flighty one who settles down for love and Mary is particularly clueless. We also have the daring young man Harry, the quiet but handsome one (brother Joe) and the boy next door who Kathleen should have married instead of her abusive husband. In the nurses’ home, there’s grumpy (with a reason not revealed until the end) Gwen and superintendent Fiona, friendly but firm. Initially, the story is quite coherent focusing on Alice and the other nurses but as it goes on, it became more fractured. It’s like each chapter is its own short story or serial and they don’t flow on well from each other. There were also large time jumps, particularly after the war started which emphasised the lack of cohesiveness. The story is vaguely interesting, and would do if you were on the beach or not feeling well, but it lacked heart for me. I didn’t really care for the characters or feel that I wanted to continue with the series. There’s no detail to make them individual, any extra beyond basic description seemed formulaic. It’s not Call the Midwife – if you want stories focusing on nurses with well-drawn characters, the Nightingales series by Donna Douglas or Fetch Nurse Connie by Jean Fullerton are much more interesting.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
September 5, 2018
A realy great read enjoyed every page.
June 30, 2018
First read by this author apparently taken over by another author following the death of original author Anyway this is an easy read with not a lot going on and without depth of characters in my opinion I would recommend it as a light read or beach read
May 24, 2019
This didn’t get any better at the second time of reading. Having previously read Jean Fullerton’s excellent ‘Fetch Nurse Connie,’ and ‘Wedding Bells for Nurse Connie,’ I was expecting something equally as good.
The fact that they are Queen’s Nurses comes second to being involved with the Banham family and the three nurses various romantic threads. The nursing stories are very brief, there is absolutely no flavour of being in pre WWII East End London or any era of the East End as it once was.
It’s been so long since I read any of the original Annie Groves’ books that I cannot really tell if the story flowed like hers did, but I can never understand why another author is given the right to take over that name. I can only compare it to when Elizabeth Elgin died and an author completed a book she was working on. It was obvious where one finished and the other began. The name should have been retired.
The idea for this book was obviously hanging onto the coattails of the success of ‘Call The Midwife,’ but unfortunately like an unsuccessful soufflé it has collapsed dramatically.
I guess I will read the next book only to see if my suspicions are proved correct, but I doubt I shall get anymore excited over it than I did about this one.
The fact that they are Queen’s Nurses comes second to being involved with the Banham family and the three nurses various romantic threads. The nursing stories are very brief, there is absolutely no flavour of being in pre WWII East End London or any era of the East End as it once was.
It’s been so long since I read any of the original Annie Groves’ books that I cannot really tell if the story flowed like hers did, but I can never understand why another author is given the right to take over that name. I can only compare it to when Elizabeth Elgin died and an author completed a book she was working on. It was obvious where one finished and the other began. The name should have been retired.
The idea for this book was obviously hanging onto the coattails of the success of ‘Call The Midwife,’ but unfortunately like an unsuccessful soufflé it has collapsed dramatically.
I guess I will read the next book only to see if my suspicions are proved correct, but I doubt I shall get anymore excited over it than I did about this one.
June 9, 2018
Over the last few years I have rediscovered my teenage passion for books about nurses at the same time as discovering a new love of women's fiction set in the wars.
This book ticks both boxes as it tells the story of nurses Alice and Edit as well as the families they help in their role as district nurses. The story is well written with believable characters and I hope there will soon be more books in the series
This book ticks both boxes as it tells the story of nurses Alice and Edit as well as the families they help in their role as district nurses. The story is well written with believable characters and I hope there will soon be more books in the series
June 11, 2018
Fantastic start to a new series
This book was a great start to what I hope is a new series by Annie Groves. Despite the change of author this was still written in true Annie Groves style. It immerses you in a period in time that must really have been filled with so much uncertainty whilst showing you the courage and strength of the people it affected. I would definitely recommend it.
This book was a great start to what I hope is a new series by Annie Groves. Despite the change of author this was still written in true Annie Groves style. It immerses you in a period in time that must really have been filled with so much uncertainty whilst showing you the courage and strength of the people it affected. I would definitely recommend it.
December 21, 2018
A good read
The book made you feel that you were there going through all the problems of nursing patients then the war then losing a person you love cannot wait to read more
The book made you feel that you were there going through all the problems of nursing patients then the war then losing a person you love cannot wait to read more
October 10, 2018
If you can imagine “Call the Midwife” set during WW2, this is basically what you have here. Alice has just arrived in London to start her District Nurse training. She is a serious girl who is recovering from a recent break-up and is determined not to make the same mistake again. She is accompanied by her best friend Edith who likes to work hard and play hard, constantly breaking rules and getting as much fun out of life as she possibly can. This book chronicles their lives and loves as war breaks out and London becomes a war-torn city.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are well-developed and believable and there is tenderness and compassion as well as a good dose of old-fashioned fun. Many of the storylines concerning the patients are heartbreaking, but there are plenty of heartwarming moments to counter the sadness and despair. Outside work the nurses know how to enjoy themselves and this provides a welcome break from the appalling situations which they encounter during their working days.
There is not really anything to dislike unless you are looking for a book that is going to challenge your intellect. It is a very easy read but none the less enjoyable for that.
I have not read any Annie Groves before but will certainly keep a look out for more. I hope that this book is the first in a series.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are well-developed and believable and there is tenderness and compassion as well as a good dose of old-fashioned fun. Many of the storylines concerning the patients are heartbreaking, but there are plenty of heartwarming moments to counter the sadness and despair. Outside work the nurses know how to enjoy themselves and this provides a welcome break from the appalling situations which they encounter during their working days.
There is not really anything to dislike unless you are looking for a book that is going to challenge your intellect. It is a very easy read but none the less enjoyable for that.
I have not read any Annie Groves before but will certainly keep a look out for more. I hope that this book is the first in a series.
May 1, 2022
I can already tell this is going to be a great series! It has all the makings of a sure fire favourite for me and I absolutely loved this one. I can’t wait to get started on the others and I’m so glad there’s more to look forward to!
I have no idea why, but I always find wartime themed books so comforting. The strength and the camaraderie, the banding together to get through such terrible times and the sense of community make for such a heart warming read. This one was no different.
In the District Nurses of Victory walk, we follow Alice and Edith as they move to their new homes and initiate themselves into the ways of distract nurses. We get to know the other nurses and frequenters of victory walk, lovable Edith, Mary and even stern Gwen are all great characters and you develop attachments to them all!
I also love how we got to know some of the patients and follow their stories, lives and families. You get such a feeling of intertwining community spirit and the whole book was just so entertaining. I always enjoyed going back to it after having to put it down, and there was plenty in there to keep you reading! I loved it and I know I’m definitely going to happily finish this entire series and keep hoping for more!
I have no idea why, but I always find wartime themed books so comforting. The strength and the camaraderie, the banding together to get through such terrible times and the sense of community make for such a heart warming read. This one was no different.
In the District Nurses of Victory walk, we follow Alice and Edith as they move to their new homes and initiate themselves into the ways of distract nurses. We get to know the other nurses and frequenters of victory walk, lovable Edith, Mary and even stern Gwen are all great characters and you develop attachments to them all!
I also love how we got to know some of the patients and follow their stories, lives and families. You get such a feeling of intertwining community spirit and the whole book was just so entertaining. I always enjoyed going back to it after having to put it down, and there was plenty in there to keep you reading! I loved it and I know I’m definitely going to happily finish this entire series and keep hoping for more!
July 30, 2022
I was intrigued by this book as I love anything written about District Nurses to the East End of London. The book is set around the nurses doing their rounds at Victory Walk as World War II begins. It follow two main characters who are best friends Edith and Alice and they are both nurses who went to nursing school together.
I thought the book was well written and researched, I found myself really getting invested with the characters and their stories. The story definitely showed you the state of nursing in 1939-1940. I loved learning about all the patients and their stories. The book also has a small bit of romance which is always nice to read about but it doesn’t take over the main storyline.
This book is the first in a six book series so I will definitely pick up the other books in the series as I would like to see what happens to the characters and how the story unfolds. In terms of this book I did find certain parts of this book to be slightly slow which made me find myself not picking this book up as much as I would of liked it, I loved the authors writing style but I wasn’t always picking this book up due to the speed of the story.
I will definitely be picking up the second book to see what happens next.
I thought the book was well written and researched, I found myself really getting invested with the characters and their stories. The story definitely showed you the state of nursing in 1939-1940. I loved learning about all the patients and their stories. The book also has a small bit of romance which is always nice to read about but it doesn’t take over the main storyline.
This book is the first in a six book series so I will definitely pick up the other books in the series as I would like to see what happens to the characters and how the story unfolds. In terms of this book I did find certain parts of this book to be slightly slow which made me find myself not picking this book up as much as I would of liked it, I loved the authors writing style but I wasn’t always picking this book up due to the speed of the story.
I will definitely be picking up the second book to see what happens next.
August 16, 2023
The District Nurses was a relational, insightful, and feel-good story that follows district nurses and the community they serve in the East End of London in the shadow of the beginning of World War II. The nurses work hard to care for the community, grapple with current events, and navigate relationships as many of them start their first professional jobs. The book keeps up a good pace and endears you to the characters quickly. The community is full of diverse personalities which add a lot of color to the story. Highlighted characters come from a variety of backgrounds and situations that capture an engaging subset of the human experience. This historical novel would likely be enjoyed by those who like stories based on a community of characters, Call the Midwife, World War II context, coming together in the face of adversity, clean romance, non-gory medical scenes, and the power of family (both biological and chosen).
September 18, 2018
This is my first Annie Groves, although she is now no longer with us. This one is written by Jenny Shaw and I hope it is the beginning of a series as so many of Annie's were.
It is one of those delightful chatty novels that ambles along relating the lives of the district nurses and the families they come into contact with.
Set in the very early days of World War II, it describes the evacuations of children out of London and into the country, and the lives of families living in a working class suburb of London. It's hard to imagine now in these days of indoor plumbing that families had no indoor running water and had to share a toilet with the rest of the tenements. Several of the characters are involved in the remarkable rescue of the BEF from Dunkirk.
I'm going to keep an eye on this series (hopefully) and look forward to more installments.
It is one of those delightful chatty novels that ambles along relating the lives of the district nurses and the families they come into contact with.
Set in the very early days of World War II, it describes the evacuations of children out of London and into the country, and the lives of families living in a working class suburb of London. It's hard to imagine now in these days of indoor plumbing that families had no indoor running water and had to share a toilet with the rest of the tenements. Several of the characters are involved in the remarkable rescue of the BEF from Dunkirk.
I'm going to keep an eye on this series (hopefully) and look forward to more installments.
January 22, 2020
Sometimes you need a sweet (not saccharine) story that's hopeful but not twee, happy ending not guaranteed. The District Nurses of Victory Walk was of a higher quality than I expected. There was less about the district nursing than I'd have liked, but the characters were well-formed with some good development. Though it takes place in 1939 and covers Dunkirk, it's not heavy or dark, and takes the events seriously.
Overall, a delightful warm read. Recommended for fans of the Call the Midwife TV show, especially if you, like me, want a prequel with Sister Monica Joan delivering babies in the Blitz, because wouldn't that be amazing television. I have a few other British nurse/midwife memoirs on my list, and I hope those will fill the gaping void left by the Call the Midwife memoirs.
Overall, a delightful warm read. Recommended for fans of the Call the Midwife TV show, especially if you, like me, want a prequel with Sister Monica Joan delivering babies in the Blitz, because wouldn't that be amazing television. I have a few other British nurse/midwife memoirs on my list, and I hope those will fill the gaping void left by the Call the Midwife memoirs.
August 3, 2020
I've been reading another series which is set in Liverpool around the time of WWII and have been searching for more books with this setting. The District Nurses of Victory Walk fit the criteria I was searching for.
I wanted to love this book, but unfortunately I did not. When reviewing a book about WWII, it seems wrong to use the word "light", but this book truly is light. There are many characters, and most are not very developed. I think if the author had focused on the 3 nurses who are the "main" protagonists, and developed their stories more fully, it would have helped. I didn't feel very invested in any one person's individual story.
Overall, a nice book. I will continue reading the series.
I wanted to love this book, but unfortunately I did not. When reviewing a book about WWII, it seems wrong to use the word "light", but this book truly is light. There are many characters, and most are not very developed. I think if the author had focused on the 3 nurses who are the "main" protagonists, and developed their stories more fully, it would have helped. I didn't feel very invested in any one person's individual story.
Overall, a nice book. I will continue reading the series.
December 4, 2025
This is a nice, detailed look at the lead up to and outbreak of WW2 as seen by three young women who are District Nurses. The house where they all live and train is in Victory Walk, London. Blackouts cause accidents and so do drunken spouses, but disease and lack of sanitation are the main issues. One of the nurses came from Liverpool, and she oversees children being evacuated early to the countryside.
Romances start but with the young men being called up, it is clear that not every love can end in happiness.
I found this a good read for a study of the times, but often a bit slow and the tale of Dunkirk is covered briefly by a returned man who brought a small boat. We do not really see danger from the war at this point.
I read a paperback. This is an unbiased review.
Romances start but with the young men being called up, it is clear that not every love can end in happiness.
I found this a good read for a study of the times, but often a bit slow and the tale of Dunkirk is covered briefly by a returned man who brought a small boat. We do not really see danger from the war at this point.
I read a paperback. This is an unbiased review.
December 16, 2025
The District Nurses of Victory Walk (The District Nurse # 1) by Annie Groves. (Audiobook read on Everand app)
An interesting book about nurses who are working in London during the beginning of World War II. Alice and Edith are assigned to the East End of London and it shows also the lives of some of their patients and some people who quickly become their friends and for Alice and Edith potential love interest.
The book touches on the physical and mental abuse, loved ones being missing and presumed dead and ones confirmed dead. How these affects the family and their friends.
And annoying how some mothers will think their children angels no matter what they do. They will do anything they can to blame their victim to make their child look good.
An interesting book about nurses who are working in London during the beginning of World War II. Alice and Edith are assigned to the East End of London and it shows also the lives of some of their patients and some people who quickly become their friends and for Alice and Edith potential love interest.
The book touches on the physical and mental abuse, loved ones being missing and presumed dead and ones confirmed dead. How these affects the family and their friends.
And annoying how some mothers will think their children angels no matter what they do. They will do anything they can to blame their victim to make their child look good.
January 21, 2025
I picked this up in the library, as a bok by an author I had not read before. It was quite an interesting story of district nurses just at the outset of World War II, but there were a lot of small faults in the editing, which seems to have been done using a spell-checker, rather than a person. So real words are used but in sentences where they obviously do not convey the intended meaning.
It has romance running through it too, but the main focus is on two friends setting out on their career together, and their interactions with local people in Dalston where they are billeted in a nurses home.
It has romance running through it too, but the main focus is on two friends setting out on their career together, and their interactions with local people in Dalston where they are billeted in a nurses home.
April 3, 2019
I saw this on a shelf and was inspired to read it because I love the show Call the Midwife. Call the Midwife is based on the memoirs of a nurse who worked in the East End of London during the 1950's. While The District Nurses of Victory Walk didn't feel quite as authentic to me, the setting was definitely familiar from Call the Midwife. I did get attached to the characters in this book and hope to read the next book in the series.
August 14, 2019
Written from the view of nurses just prior to the start of world war 2. They are lot like the nurses from Call the Midwife.
Two friends and new nurses arrive at East London from very different backgrounds, but have their nursing in common. They meet a couple of fellas and we get to follow their story.
While the story is predictable it is very well written. I look forward to reading the next in the series, just not at our local library just yet.
A great way to pass a lovely summer day.
Two friends and new nurses arrive at East London from very different backgrounds, but have their nursing in common. They meet a couple of fellas and we get to follow their story.
While the story is predictable it is very well written. I look forward to reading the next in the series, just not at our local library just yet.
A great way to pass a lovely summer day.
October 6, 2019
Oplæser: Alex Tregar. Smuk oplæsning - dejligt.
Har man set serien på DR om Jordmødrene, er man straks inde i bogen. To nyuddannede sygeplejerske kommer til et sygepleje hus i den fattige del af London. På gamle cykler køre de rundt og plejer de syge. Vi følger dem i med- og modgang og ser hvordan de finder kærligheden. Men krigen er lige rundt om hjørnet, så det er svære tider.
Jeg er klar til at høre fortsættelsen.
Har man set serien på DR om Jordmødrene, er man straks inde i bogen. To nyuddannede sygeplejerske kommer til et sygepleje hus i den fattige del af London. På gamle cykler køre de rundt og plejer de syge. Vi følger dem i med- og modgang og ser hvordan de finder kærligheden. Men krigen er lige rundt om hjørnet, så det er svære tider.
Jeg er klar til at høre fortsættelsen.
December 16, 2023
Alice following her training joins a house of District nurses. We meet her fellow workers and some of the locals, war is imminent, soon to become reality. Friendships and romance blooms among the crowd. Alice is helping at the local school to teach youngsters hygiene rituals and soon finds herself assisting at the train station when these students become evacuees.
This book could have been awarded a three star but with all its typos got a two.
This book could have been awarded a three star but with all its typos got a two.
September 8, 2018
Heart Wrenching and Heart Warming
Love Laughter and Sorrow. Call the Midwife comes to mind and we follow the nurses in their rounds tending to the sick with passion and falling in love with equal passion. Such is the depth of the author's writing you will find yourself emerged in every page you will even smell Flo s home made stews and hear the cries of despair at Dunkirk .
Love Laughter and Sorrow. Call the Midwife comes to mind and we follow the nurses in their rounds tending to the sick with passion and falling in love with equal passion. Such is the depth of the author's writing you will find yourself emerged in every page you will even smell Flo s home made stews and hear the cries of despair at Dunkirk .
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews