Reviewed by Lianne on
The reader follows Dora, Millie, and Helen, as they go through their probationary period and first year with classes, become accustomed to what is required of them, learn to deal with patients and staff, and interact with each other. Each main character comes from a different socioeconomic background, but they are all similar in that they want to excel as nurses. They have their ups and downs with the profession, whether it be failing a practicum or getting in trouble and having to go before the Matron, but I love how their friendship with each other grows that they’re able to support each other by the end of the novel.
Their individual storylines were interesting and I was invested to reading how it all works out for them. Helen undergoes quite a major character journey from being under her mother’s formidable persona with a very quiet, compliant persona to becoming a woman who makes her own decisions regardless of her mother’s opinion and finding happiness along the way. Millie also goes through a journey of responsibility and finding herself in a wee bit of a love triangle (sort of); I think I find her the most endearing of the three because she just wants to do her own thing despite coming from an aristocratic family. Dora’s story was the darkest, not because of her working class background and her difficulties fitting in, but because of her stepfather and his presence in her life.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading The Nightingale Girls. I was wholly invested in their stories and cared for many of the people in their lives. I highly recommend this novel for readers of historical fiction and fans of Call the Midwife and other related medical period dramas.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 15 April, 2015: Finished reading
- 15 April, 2015: Reviewed