Northern Nurse

by Elliott Merrick

"Every word of it I enjoyed, and I don't think that there is a single change to be made in it," wrote legendary editor Maxwell Perkins when he read the manuscript of Northern Nurse in 1941. The public agreed, keeping it on the New York Times bestseller list for 17 weeks. Now a new edition of this classic is available from The Countryman Press.

By turns lyrical, comic, and genuinely moving, Northern Nurse tells the story of Australian nurse Kate Austen and her adventures at Labrador's Grenfell Mission. Written by her husband, Elliott Merrick, it celebrates not only the unspoiled realm of the North, but also a woman's self-fulfillment there.

Genres: Memoir, Biography

338 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1942

Reviews

[Lisa Kearns · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all of Elliott Merrick's books, and loved them all. But Northern Nurse is his best one, in my opinion. It's written in first person, as if his wife Kate were telling the story. And in fact she did tell him the story and he wrote the book.

Kate was a young Australian nurse looking for adventure in the 1920s. She accepted an assignment working in a mission hospital in Labrador, Canada, and fell in love with the local people and harsh wilderness she found there. She also met and married her husband (the author) during her time in Labrador.

Throughout the book, Kate relates in a no-nonsense voice the births, deaths, epidemics, injuries, burns and unusual medical cases she treated. She also tells affectionately of the people she served - trappers, wives, children, native Indians, fishermen, sailors, and various visitors. Some of the stories made me chuckle, and some of them made me hold my breath in suspense. She worked day and night to serve the community living around the hospital, which also served as general store and community center. The weather was dreadful most of the year, and they lived without running water, electricity, telephone, or indoor toilets. Kate reveled in the experience, often traveling hundreds of miles by dog-sled to treat sick people in out-lying homesteads. She loved the snow, ice, wind, and the dangerous ocean, and rarely complained about the primitive conditions or workload.

The only complaint I have is that the book ends rather abruptly when she meets and marries Elliott (Bud) Merrick. I wanted more! She mentions another book that talks of their early married life - and that book is True North.

I really enjoyed this book, and will always remember the story of a gutsy, capable nurse traveling halfway around the world to serve in an understaffed, underfunded hospital in the frozen land of Labrador.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with this book! For some reason it has been kept a secret and I have no idea why. The feats and situations that the main character is thrown into are unbelievable and yet this is a true story. Imagine coming from the warmth and light of Australia to the blustery majesty of the Newfoundland wilderness. This practical nurse finds herself tending to trappers, their families, and the native people with skills that only prepared her for the city life. Great adventure read!

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quality of writing is very good. The hardships and stories described in the first 100 pages were interesting, but I wasn't interested in another 150 pages of the same. The tough individualism combined with a selfless commitment to community in these people is really to be admired. Do these kind of people even exist anymore?

[T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fascinating for me, both because I aspired to be a nurse when I was young and because we traveled in Labrador. Interesting look at an incredible person in a harsh environment with lots of memorable characters.

[H Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, sweet, historical adventure.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quintessential real for anyone interested in nursing history. A new favorite book of mine.

[Christopher Wakefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn't put it down - incredible true story of a young Australian nurse who signed of to spend a year in the wilds of 1930's Labrador.

[Sonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written by the father of one of my friends who lives in the same small WA state town that I do. She is 85 now and, while having many health problems, has more energy than anyone else I've ever met. Her father wrote this book as if her mother was the author. It was first published in 1942 but the time frame was in the early 1930s when both her father and mother had signed on to work on a mission for 3 years that provided medical care for those who lived in Labrador in Northern Canada. Kate was a nurse, born in Australia and left home after she graduated from nursing school because she wanted to live an adventurous life. She worked in other countries before going to Labrador and it was close to the end of the her work there when she met her husband. Her life on this mission was practically every kind of medical emergency one could think of, plus living in a place with no running water, plenty of snow/ice, rough seas (as the medical people had many places to visit), only wood for heat, very primitive. I think what impressed me most was the good writing that told the story, and the fact that I could relate to a lot of it after living in Alaska for 36 of my life, although it was in a more modern time and I didn't have to face what her mother did, but I did know about 50 below weather, ice fog, etc. If one wants to go on an adventure vicariously, this is the way to do it! It was just a pleasure to read.

[Heidi Hanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

For all you nurses out there- this is a fabulous book. It’s an old one, but completely relevant. I promise you that after reading this book, you’ll never complain of a hard day again. It’s a well written, wonderful story of a real nurse who worked in Labrador back in the early 1900’s. Having worked in home health for the last few decades, I know what it’s like to have to know a little about a lot, but this kind of nursing takes it to a whole other level. The book was written by the husband of the actual nurse.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! I am from Labrador and many of my family members are mentioned in this story. I am also studying to be a nurse so for lots of reasons I enjoyed this book a lot. There are a few minor errors with family names, but mostly it is spot on. I recommend this book for anyone interested in the North and our ways of life, healthcare, or history.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written account of an Australian nurse’s years working for the Grenfell Mission in Labrador in the 1920’s. Long, cold winters traveling to where she is needed, but can’t leave till summer. Her first year there she has no medical back-up as the resident doctor has to leave for his own surgery.

[Jan Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite reads of all times - this book and True North are moving accounts of life in Labrador.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great adventure.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! What an adventurous and meaningful life.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't like the writing but there were some great stories within the pages.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing biography. I fell in love with the main character and her many adventures.