When she gets her chance, Dora is amazed but the world of the Nightingale isn't exactly as she imagined, something that becomes obvious when she starts sharing a room with Helen and Millie.
Helen's mother is in the board of trustees of the hospital and likes to control everything that Helen does - from how long her hair is to how starchy her uniform should be - and, as a result, Helen is extremely reserved and none of the other girls in the nursing program like her.
Millie - or Lady Camilla - left her aristocratic home and matchmaking grandmother behind to become a nurse, but she's constantly having trouble in her clases as the instructors don't like her rebellious and carefree attitude.
But, agains the odds, they start forming a friendship between them.
Second Glance: The Nightingale Girls sounded plenty fun when I first read the official burb, and it said that people who liked Call the Midwife (and we all know I do) would like this series. So I went in thinking it would be something like that.
But it really wasn't, I mean, it had similar elements to it but I have always found the over all tone of Call the Midwife to be overwhelmingly positive and hopeful, and there were times when Nightingale Girls was a little too dour and sad and, lets face it, depressing.
The writing was good and I grew to like all the girls eventually, they all had their demons to face, and I even liked the director of the nursing program. I just wish there had been a bit more fun in the story.
It did bring the 1930's hospital environment to life so that was a plus.
But it really wasn't, I mean, it had similar elements to it but I have always found the over all tone of Call the Midwife to be overwhelmingly positive and hopeful, and there were times when Nightingale Girls was a little too dour and sad and, lets face it, depressing.
The writing was good and I grew to like all the girls eventually, they all had their demons to face, and I even liked the director of the nursing program. I just wish there had been a bit more fun in the story.
It did bring the 1930's hospital environment to life so that was a plus.
Bottom Line: The Nightingale Girls was okay. I won't be rushing to buy the next one in the series but I'm glad I read this book all in all.
Great review, I might not be able to read it if it's depressing though :( I do want to watch Call the Midwife though, I haven't seen it yet!
ReplyDeleteCall the Midwife is awesome!! I really love it :D
DeleteOh, I agree, part of the reason I love Call the Midwife so is that even through all the strife and misery, the outcome is ultimately optimistic. I'm not sure I would be too keen on a version that was depressing either.
ReplyDeleteIt really got depressing sometimes! And I never feel depressed after a Call the Midwife episode :P
DeleteSounds very interesting...I like the time period. I just might try this one out sometime.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame it was on the sad side, but I guess this will be good for fans of the show, who don't have any episodes left to watch!
ReplyDeleteMands @ The Bookish Manicurist