cleg11's review against another edition
5.0
Thanks to netgalley for the chance to read this book.
This book appealed to me as a nurse working through the coronavirus pandemic and being redeployed. It made me realise the impact it has had on both myself, colleagues and family. A brilliant memoir of one nurses experience.
This book appealed to me as a nurse working through the coronavirus pandemic and being redeployed. It made me realise the impact it has had on both myself, colleagues and family. A brilliant memoir of one nurses experience.
emmajohns12's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC copy in exchange for my review.
This is a memoir based on the diaries of intensive care nurse Anthea Allen, who worked on the front line of St. George’s hospital in South London during the peak of the Covid crisis.
I struggled with this book a little bit. It is definitely an interesting read and it gave us an in depth look into the life of a critical care nurse on the frontline of the Coronavirus pandemic and the first few chapters had me intrigued. Some of the recounted events were heartbreaking, she spoke of the patients they lost and those they managed to save, as well as how cutbacks and budgets meant they didn’t have the resources, beds or staff needed. I like how she spoke of the camaraderie of the staff and how the pandemic brought them all together, almost like one big family. As this book was wrote from Anthea’s emails which she used to document this period, i understand that a lot of things will be repeated such as how the nurses are incredible and heroes etc. However about half way through the book I found it to became too repetitive, it was far too long and I quickly lost all interest in reading it and it became almost a chore just to finish it.
I think this would definitely be a good book for years to come to show future generations the extent and impact of the coronavirus and despite my opinion of this book, I have huge respect and admiration for Anthea and all of the NHS staff that played their part in the fight against the coronavirus. These are the people that went above and beyond to ensure people had the best care possible and they should be recognised for their efforts during such a difficult time.
This is a memoir based on the diaries of intensive care nurse Anthea Allen, who worked on the front line of St. George’s hospital in South London during the peak of the Covid crisis.
I struggled with this book a little bit. It is definitely an interesting read and it gave us an in depth look into the life of a critical care nurse on the frontline of the Coronavirus pandemic and the first few chapters had me intrigued. Some of the recounted events were heartbreaking, she spoke of the patients they lost and those they managed to save, as well as how cutbacks and budgets meant they didn’t have the resources, beds or staff needed. I like how she spoke of the camaraderie of the staff and how the pandemic brought them all together, almost like one big family. As this book was wrote from Anthea’s emails which she used to document this period, i understand that a lot of things will be repeated such as how the nurses are incredible and heroes etc. However about half way through the book I found it to became too repetitive, it was far too long and I quickly lost all interest in reading it and it became almost a chore just to finish it.
I think this would definitely be a good book for years to come to show future generations the extent and impact of the coronavirus and despite my opinion of this book, I have huge respect and admiration for Anthea and all of the NHS staff that played their part in the fight against the coronavirus. These are the people that went above and beyond to ensure people had the best care possible and they should be recognised for their efforts during such a difficult time.
emilybneale's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
4.5
readingthruthewards22's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
lucyluelovesbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
kath61's review against another edition
3.0
Whilst so grateful to all the Keyworkers who continued providing services throughout the pandemic I don't think this quite works as a book. There are too many repetitions and worthy remarks. That, I think is the fault of the editors rather than the author as this is a collection of emails.
hanna's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
4.25
A bit repetitive at times but such a tender and real insight into a nurse's life during Covid. I especially appreciated how many different parts of live Allen touched upon, like how old people or young teenagers were struggling in their own ways during Covid. As someone who spends way too much time in hospitals or doctor's offices, she also made me feel much more comfortable with the moments there, that are embarrassing for me but just normal for the nurses. They really hold the whole medical world together. I feel like this is a book that I could show to my kids in the future to make them understand the weird world we lived in during the height of the pandemic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Death
Moderate: Car accident, Self harm, Animal death, Pregnancy, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Death of parent
dogearedtatty's review against another edition
3.0
This book came about as the result of an initial email to friends and neighbours, asking for biscuits for the Critical Care nurses. Over time, it became a weekly email to an increasingly wider group, detailing what it was like in the hospital during the pandemic. As somewhat of an outsider (I worked as admin in the NHS pre-pandemic, and spent time visiting family in hospital during the pandemic), I had a basic idea of what it must be like. And this confirmed that, as well as showing the incredible team work and effort that nurses go to to care for their patients. Don’t get me wrong, I do think they are remarkably caring and hard working.
But.
At times, this felt like it was saying nurses were the only thing - it sometimes glossed over the knowledge and expertise that doctors and consultants have. Is it different knowledge to that of nurses? I’m sure it is. But it’s no less valuable for that. This felt at times like it was doing a disservice to doctors and consultants. Especially when there were these two quotes that really struck me as disrespectful:
“It feels to us old ones that they are still children, and the odd one comes with attitude and immaturity. One doctor - young and pretty - seems to have just tumbled out of boarding school and med school, and has much to learn about life, people and medicine. She fainted after two hours in the Covid area. Nurses raised their eyebrows. We are tough and strong and made of a different fabric.”
—Judging much? What if she was unwell?
Or how about “the best moment this week was when I asked a consultant to help clean a patient who had profuse diarrhoea in the extreme. [...] The consultant was gagging despite the FFP3 mask and visor, Burt we jokingly said we assessed her as competent to clean up poo and laughed at her poor constitution.”
—Well I bet that made her feel SO much better...
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review. Like another reviewer, I have mixed feelings about this book, which is why it’s got 3 stars rather than 4.
But.
At times, this felt like it was saying nurses were the only thing - it sometimes glossed over the knowledge and expertise that doctors and consultants have. Is it different knowledge to that of nurses? I’m sure it is. But it’s no less valuable for that. This felt at times like it was doing a disservice to doctors and consultants. Especially when there were these two quotes that really struck me as disrespectful:
“It feels to us old ones that they are still children, and the odd one comes with attitude and immaturity. One doctor - young and pretty - seems to have just tumbled out of boarding school and med school, and has much to learn about life, people and medicine. She fainted after two hours in the Covid area. Nurses raised their eyebrows. We are tough and strong and made of a different fabric.”
—Judging much? What if she was unwell?
Or how about “the best moment this week was when I asked a consultant to help clean a patient who had profuse diarrhoea in the extreme. [...] The consultant was gagging despite the FFP3 mask and visor, Burt we jokingly said we assessed her as competent to clean up poo and laughed at her poor constitution.”
—Well I bet that made her feel SO much better...
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review. Like another reviewer, I have mixed feelings about this book, which is why it’s got 3 stars rather than 4.