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"Vigil in the Night" is the poignant and moving tale of two nurses—of Anne, who devoted herself to serving others, and of her younger sister, Lucy, who meant to get everything in life for herself. When Lucy’s negligence causes the tragic death of a young patient, Anne takes the blame to protect her young sister—an act that threatens to destroy the brilliant nursing career that lies before her. But then Anne meets an idealistic young surgeon who takes an interest in her; and although one of the oldest and most honored traditions of the medical profession is that the relationship between doctors and nurses remain strictly impersonal, doctors and nurses are, after all, human beings—and sometimes that tradition breaks down.

With his keen understanding of the human condition, his deep moral conscience, and his extraordinary narrative skill, A. J. Cronin imbues "Vigil in the Night" with all the qualities that have made his many other novels worldwide bestsellers.

Unknown Binding

Published January 1, 1972

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About the author

A.J. Cronin

237 books492 followers
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

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5 stars
118 (35%)
4 stars
97 (29%)
3 stars
85 (25%)
2 stars
26 (7%)
1 star
7 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Chrissie.
2,811 reviews1,419 followers
December 6, 2023
THE CENTRAÖ FOCUS OF THIS BOO IS THE STRONG BOND BETWEEB TWO SISTERS, THIS I COULD NIT RELATE TO, BUT THE MEDICAL INFORMATION IS INTERESTING AND THE STORY IS GRIPPING.

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*The Keys of the Kingdom 5 stars
*The Stars Look Down 5 stars
*A Thing of Beauty 4 stars
*The Citadel 4 stars
*Adventures in Two Worlds 4 srats
(autobiography)
*The Judas Tree 4 stars
*The Spanish Gardener 4 stars
*Hatter's Castle 4 stars
*Beyond This Place TBR
*Three Loves  TBR
*The Northern Light TBR
*Vigil in the NightTBR
*Grand Canary TBR

Duologies:
1,The Green Years 5 stars
2.Shannon's Way 3 stars
--------------------
1.A Song of Sixpence 5 stars
2.A Pocketful of Rye 3 stars
Profile Image for Rachele booklab.
8 reviews76 followers
July 26, 2021
Questo libro mi è piaciuto così tanto che avrei dato 10 stelle! Probabilmente perché il tema mi sta particolarmente a cuore visto che studio infermieristica, ho provato un amore, un orgoglio è una tenerezza infinita.
Certo lo stile di scrittura non è super moderno, nonostante questo la storia ti cattura fin dalla prima pagine e non puoi far altro che divorare pagina dopo pagina.
Probabilmente uno dei libri più belli letti quest’anno 🤍
Profile Image for Lydia.
40 reviews
May 13, 2022
An einem Tag durchgelesen! ☀️
Profile Image for Zorana Mitrović.
107 reviews53 followers
January 4, 2020
Kad zaređam sa lošijim knjigama samo se setim da ima još Kroninovih i Stajnbekovih knjiga koje nisam čitala pa mi bude lakše.
Doduše, ovo je njegov kraći roman i nešto slabiji od prethodnih koje sam čitala, al' iz principa neću da mu dam manje od 5 zvezdica.. Kroninov stil pisanja je jedna posebna uživancija za moj um, žao mi je samo što film koji je rađen po ovoj knjizi nisam uspela da nađem i pogledam, al' valjda će se pojaviti u nekom trenutku.
Profile Image for Pinsky.
4 reviews
July 23, 2010
It is shocking to read about what nurses have had to go throw to win their current status. Lets not forget: there were days when things were really tough for them.

This book shows the exciting story of an excellent nurse who aims to improve nurse's life quality, which is deplorable.

Now, talking a bit about the reading itself, I would just say that I couldn't put this book down. The reading is easy, fast and extremely though-provoking.

It also shows that when things don't go as you expected, there is always a light of hope, hoping you'll see it. And, at the end, probably you are going to get what you aimed to, but at that very moment, it just wasn't "the right time" for it to happen.

This is what I learned from this book: even when everything is against you, and life is hard, you still can be happy, just because you do what you love to do, that is giving care to people, always, even when you are not wearing your uniform. And it always goes with some reward, you just have to find it (that's the hard part)! ...And never give up, because you never know what could happen next; from hard times, move on; never give yourself away, because life is beautiful, you deserve to live it, and you were born to do something useful with it! You never know what's coming for you...

I hope this humble review may have helped you.
Profile Image for Rossella Iovino.
23 reviews1 follower
August 16, 2020
Letto una prima volta quando ero poco più che ragazzina e riletto da adulta ora.
Una storia che fa arrabbiare abbastanza anche a distanza di tanto tempo: non si può non parteggiare per queste donne/infermiere costrette a subire un trattamento tanto umiliante da parte di una società cieca e per l'eroina in particolare.
Uno spaccato di vita di un'epoca lontana, che, talvolta, per certi versi, tanto lontana non è.
Profile Image for Limon.
15 reviews3 followers
September 14, 2024
Realmente es un libro fantástico, si ya tenía una visión muy positiva sobre el personal de salud, este libro me llevó a empatizar aún más con ellos, sobre todo con las enfermeras, que realmente en la década de los 30 en Inglaterra vivían en condiciones deplorables, que nadie merece vivir. Tomando en cuenta la tamaña vocación de estas mujeres me parece repulsivo el trato que reciben a lo largo del libro.
Sin embargo considero un problema en el subplot del interés romántico, que se critica constantemente el orgullo de los personajes, cuando de verdad, la orgullosa insoportable es Lucy, que es incapaz de actuar bajo el sentido común con tal de tener beneficios de por medio. Yo creo que incluso con el acto de redención que tiene al final del libro, podemos hablar de sus intereses vanidosos detrás de su buen actuar. Me dio real pena leer el pobre actuar de todos los personajes tras la muerte de Lucy, tanto del doctor Prescott como de Anne, aunque entendí sus motivaciones detrás de su actuar.
Ahora, eso es lo maravilloso de este libro, uno logra empatizar verdaderamente con los personajes, no es ajeno al lector porque incluso si tienes ganas de acogotarlos, la horrorosa realidad con la que se enfrentan y el contexto descrito te hace justificar el actuar de todos. Menos de la estúpida de Lucy, que al final, con su muerte, igual le ganas un poco de cariño.
No es el libro más famoso de A.J. Cronin, pero está relatado de forma maravillosa, lo que claramente habla increíble del autor. No puedo esperar a leerlo nuevamente.
A todo esto, me leí la primera página el 29 de agosto y del 13 al 14 de septiembre el resto del libro, me tenía desde la segunda página totalmente atrapada.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
2,142 reviews28 followers
April 10, 2021
................................................................................................
................................................................................................
VIGIL IN THE NIGHT, By A. J. Cronin.
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Cronin begins by jumping directly into what is usually, perversely, labelled a sacrifice, for personal and sentimental reasons of loyalty, but is an ethical horror - a clean person taking the blame for someone guilty, not by mistake, but due to fault of character. Horror is this faulty character being allowed to continue in position of responsibility that the person doesn't quite appreciate.

Fortunately the narrative snaps out of it sending the protagonist to a better situation in a larger place with much to attend to, much to learn, and much to face in life.

Cronin deals this time, too, with the world of medical profession and hospitaks, surgeries and patients, but the protagonist is a nurse, istead of his usual doctors; and he deals with the travails they faced for years - neglect of their needs and more.

A couple of twists past, it all ends satisfactorily, in almost every way.
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Profile Image for Dorcas.
677 reviews231 followers
December 1, 2020
When Anne took the blame for the death of a child that wasn't her fault, it was to protect the reputation of her sister. It worked in a way. Although her sister, Lucy continued to make some iffy choices in her life, her future remained in her own hands.

For Anne, the "mistake" meant instant dismissal but because she had up until then maintained a flawless record she was able to procure a job in another city and continue her heart's passion.

Her career takes her to Manchester, then London and finally a TB clinic in the country. There is romance along the way and also always close at her heels, the possibility that her hidden shame may rise up and ruin her future.

This could have been a five star book if it had been filled out with more character development like we see in many of the author's other works. However, it was a fast, riveting read and I enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Prim Hardbottle M.E..
175 reviews2 followers
April 16, 2024
Deutscher Titel: Die Schicksalsmacht
Gut zu lesen… ich mag eigentlich keine Liebesstories, deswegen die 3 Sterne. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Das Buch handelt von Anne und Lucy (zwei Schwestern), beide Krankenschwestern in England. Aufgrund Lucys Nachlässigkeit stirbt ein Junge im Krankenhaus an Diphtherie und Anne nimmt die Schuld auf sich. Annes Weg führt in mehrere Krankenhäuser und lässt sie Doktor Prescott treffen, einen Chirurg. Das Buch handelt von den misslichen Arbeitszuständen und Lebensbedingungen der Krankenschwestern in England im vorigen Jahrhundert. Im späteren Verlauf des Buches arbeiten Anne und Lucy in einem Notlager für epidemische Meningitis. Dort erkrankt Lucy selbst und stirbt, doch zuvor rettet sie einem sterbenden Kind doch noch das Leben. Natürlich auch eine Liebesgeschichte zwischen Anne und Doktor Prescott, die sich ganz am Ende finden.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mcowbookstoreguy.
67 reviews1 follower
June 8, 2024
A pair of sisters, Anne and Lucy, work together in a U.K. hospital. Anne, a superb nurse, takes the blame for a horrific negligence on her sister's part. She moves to another city and another nursing post, excelling again--and again suffering for the wrongs of another. Close to Anne's heart is the social cause of improving the working conditions of her fellow nurses, and as the book progresses she works faithfully toward this goal as well as other benevolences.

This short Cronin novel, serialized in 1939, demonstrates how close a talented writer who knows his subject (the medical field) can veer into melodrama without producing an entirely wasted book. It's wholesome, harmless, and an effortless read. Still, having been slightly curious about Cronin for some time, I quickly realized I should have gone with his most successful book, The Citadel.
Profile Image for Anna.
731 reviews14 followers
June 7, 2019
Disappointing little book, whipped up quickly I’m sure, by the author of The Citadel, for the readers of Good Housekeeping magazine back in 1939. It reeks of (male)physician paternalism and superiority over (female)nurses. It does talk about the unionization of nurses in the UK, to overcome the apparently horrid conditions and wages suffered by nurses of the time. Anyhow, the book was filled with stereotypes, and was probably loved by the readership of GH at the time. But luckily things are somewhat different now( although bullying and sexual harassment of nurses by physicians is still a thing) It was an amusing little glance back to how things were. Not up to Mr Cronin’s standards, in my opinion.
Profile Image for Nourhan.
182 reviews46 followers
July 29, 2022
الشقيقتان (Vigil in the night) - ا.ج.كرونن،ترجمة: محمد عبد المنعم جلال، ١٩٣٩م
Rating: 3.5

"آن لي" و "لوسي" أختان تعملان بالتمريض.
"آن" طموحة و ملتزمة و تعشق مهنتها و تحلم بأن ترقى فيها لأعلى الدرجات. تضطر لأن تتحمل الخطأ الطبي لأختها الأصغر لتحمي مستقبلها و تضطر إلى مغادرة المستشفى الذي تعمل بها و تبحث لنفسها عن بداية جديدة.


الرواية أسلوبها واضح و سلس ذات إيقاع هاديء و لطيف. و بما أن مؤلف الرواية طبيب، فقد اوضح خلالها بصورة جلية أهمية و متاعب مهنة التمريض و المصاعب التي تواجهها الممرضات. الرواية تُظهر جزاء المثابرة و حُسن الخلق و بها مواقف تظهر أهمية الذكاء الاجتماعي في التعامل مع الناس.
الرواية فقط يعيبها تواتر أحداث قوية أقرب إلى المثالية في الربع الأخير منها، و لكن اعتقد ان الكاتب قد قصد غلبة الخير و المثالية في النهاية. الترجمة جيدة جدا مع القليل من الاخطاء.
Profile Image for Christine Sinclair.
1,256 reviews15 followers
July 31, 2020
An excellent story of nurses and doctors and the difficult choices they must make in their careers. Anne Lee shines in this fast-paced, dramatic tale of life and death decisions, and the difficult lives of hard-working, underpaid nurses in the pre-Union era in England. There's romance, too! I look forward to seeing the 1940 movie version, starring Carole Lombard, in a rare serious role, and Anne Shirley, who took her stage name from the first character she played in films, Anne Shirley, a.k.a. Anne of Green Gables!
Profile Image for Huda Alotaibi.
258 reviews65 followers
July 12, 2019
أحداث الرواية مترابطة تحكي عن قصة شقيقتين وكفاحهم في عالم التمريض والصعوبات التي واجههوها لخلق بيئة أفضل . الترجمة تضمنت كلمات عامية على غرار الروايات الصادرة من دور مصرية لذا لم استغرب وجود كلمات( عبيط، غندور 😀 ) فيها
Profile Image for Gea Collura .
2 reviews1 follower
January 16, 2022
Libro inaspettatamente stupendo che ti tiene attaccata alle pagine fino alla fine.
Storia per niente banale con molti colpi di scena e inoltre la storia d’amore l’ho trovata molto realistica.
Libro molto consigliato e penso uno dei più belli che ho letto recentemente.
74 reviews1 follower
May 20, 2024
Una historia bonita de una enfermera y sus aventuras, con un toque romántico. Cuando eres enfermera entiendes cada parte de la historia
11 reviews
February 12, 2025
Me gustó, era un page turner pero no tenía un hilo la historia. Muy bueno para leer en la playa, simple y rápido. Me dieron ganas de estudiar medicina o enfermería.
Profile Image for Josefa.
16 reviews3 followers
July 18, 2025
Es todo lo que quería: entretenido, tierno, liviano y con intriga permanente. Ideal para libro de vacaciones. Ahora iré por "La ciudadela" del mismo autor.
Profile Image for Kanki.
7 reviews
August 8, 2022
Grey's Anatomy 2.0 principios s.XX
Profile Image for Vassiliadi.
695 reviews14 followers
February 16, 2025
Το βιβλίο στα Ελληνικά κυκλοφόρησε με τον τίτλο Αγρύπνια μέσα στη Νύχτα.
Profile Image for Anna ⭐️.
121 reviews30 followers
January 17, 2021
Ho deciso di rileggere questo libro a distanza di anni per vedere se mi piacesse ancora tanto come la prima volta. Ebbene sì! Nonostante i 16 anni in più e il fatto che conoscessi già il finale, Angeli della notte mi ha emozionato e rapito ancora!
La protagonista è Anna, un’infermiera che dedica anima e corpo alla sua professione e ai suoi pazienti. La sua bontà, dedizione e passione le garantiscono il riconoscimento dei suoi superiori, anche quando si trova in qualche situazione spiacevole, non per causa sua. L’incontro con il fuoriclasse ma riservato dottor Prescott le sarà favorevole, e lui, nonostante l’iniziale volontà di mantenere con l’infermiera un rapporto professionale, si ritroverà coinvolto fino al collo.
Una storia romantica “all’antica”, scritta e ambientata nella prima metà del ventesimo secolo, dove i personaggi si danno del Lei e non finiscono a letto ancora prima di dirsi il nome.
Ma se pensate che il solo tema del libro sia la storia di amore, vi sbagliate. Il libro infatti si concentra molto sulla condizione delle infermiere nell’Inghilterra di quegli anni: trattate come sguattere, pagate e nutrite male, erano costrette a turni di lavori strazianti e tenute in alloggi in condizioni penose.
Forse il libro qualche difettuccio ce l’ha, ma quando la storia mi coinvolge e mi prende, i difetti non li vedo. Confermo quindi le 5 stelline.
Profile Image for Ibiwuj.
28 reviews
August 7, 2021
Un très beau livre ! Un vrai coup de cœur ! Je l’ai trouvé dans une boîte à livre et j’ai d’abord été frappée par la couverture rouge et ancienne . Je crois qu’il est très peu connue. J’ai beaucoup aimé la description du métier d’infirmière et de toutes les difficultés de vie , les relations mais aussi les clichés qu’il peut y avoir. Je conseil fortement pour tout ceux qui s’intéressent de près comme de loin à la médecine ou au métier d’infirmière.
Profile Image for Francisco.
202 reviews29 followers
December 19, 2015
No es la clase de novela que suelo leer, pero me ha gustado bastante, eso sí es bastante moralista, aleccionador tal vez, lo que no lo hace malo para nada, es más, me gusta pero pensé que sería necesario comentarlo.
Profile Image for Nataly Tiare.
230 reviews38 followers
June 23, 2019
(28/09/13)
Las vicisitudes de una joven enfermera son el eje central de esta estupenda novela. La vocación, los derechos laborales, la familia y el amor cruzan una historia que es entretenida y emocionante. Totalmente recomendable.
Profile Image for Ocean.
780 reviews46 followers
August 30, 2023
DNF
Vraiment très romanesque et vieillot. J'ai lu pire, soit, mais je n'ai pas eu le courage de finir ma lecture.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews

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