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The Language of Kindness

A Nurse's Story

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About this listen

Random House presents the audiobook edition of The Language of Kindness: A Nurse's Story, written and read by Christie Watson.

Christie Watson was a nurse for twenty years. Taking us from birth to death and from A&E to the mortuary, The Language of Kindness is an astonishing account of a profession defined by acts of care, compassion and kindness.

We watch Christie as she nurses a premature baby who has miraculously made it through the night, we stand by her side during her patient’s agonising heart-lung transplant, and we hold our breath as she washes the hair of a child fatally injured in a fire, attempting to remove the toxic smell of smoke before the grieving family arrive.

In our most extreme moments, when life is lived most intensely, Christie is with us. She is a guide, mentor and friend. And in these dark days of division and isolationism, she encourages us all to stretch out a hand.

 Medical Medicine & Health Care Industry Professionals & Academics Women Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking Funny Health Care Health

Critic reviews

If it's taken a very long time to get a memoir written by a nurse, then it was certainly worth the wait. I have rarely read anything that has moved me as much or taken me by the hand so confidently into an unknown world, teeming with life and haunted by death... A remarkable book that I will be pressing on everyone I love (Allison Pearson)
A powerful insight into the life of nurses (Robbie Millen)
It made me cry. It made me think. It made me laugh. It encouraged me to appreciate this most underappreciated of professions more than ever ... A gently remarkable book… it’s a privilege to have Christie as our guide (Adam Kay)
Wonderful (Sebastian Faulks)
A deeply compassionate book… It will leave you weeping as well as hopeful (Helen Davies)
An amazing book -- terrifying at times, but tender and truthful. Let's be thankful for wonderful nurses -- and writers -- like Christie Watson (Jacqueline Wilson)
Compared with the recent rash of doctor memoirs, this is a far quieter and more thoughtful book (Kathryn Hughes)
I challenge anyone to get through all 336 pages without shedding a tear for what those who work in "the most undervalued of all professions" have to witness ... Expect her stories [...] to linger with you many days after the final chapter (Jackie Annesley)
A remarkable book about life and death and so brilliantly written it makes you hold your breath (Ruby Wax)
A poignant and powerful account of what it’s like to be a nurse. It’s a profession that touches all our lives delivering expert and compassionate care from the cradle to the grave. A must-read for nurses and those interested in understanding the true art and science of nursing (Professor Jane Cummings, Chief Nursing Officer for England)
All stars
Most relevant
I couldn't put this book away. And listened to it every moment I had to spare.

A sincere, honest, sometimes sad story, and gives us an insight into what life is like for nurses who are really called to their vocation.

Every nursing student needs to read this book.

It certainly helps the reader understand the language of kindness.

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such a lovely story of Christie's career and a great piece of writing, so relatable as a nurse you have to read it! x

loved it

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This book has been.like a trip down.memory Lane for.me. lots of similarities. thank you for your kindness. and honestly. I particularly enjoyed the mental health part. took.me right back to some.of.my patients.. it was funny too. because without humour we could never function.as nurses.
I wish you.luvk for the future and all you student nurses coming up.

excellent description.9f.being a nurse

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Incredible book, well narrated and honestly captures the essence of real life in the NHS

incredible book

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This book simply confirms what most of us know...simply indispensable .
you get the care and attention you expect when your in hospital.
do you return the kindness?
say thank you to the nurse's who gave you kindness .with a card' handshake a cuddle next time you visit any NHS establishment .
and finally as my late mother said
"listen to the doctor but trust the nurse"

listen and learn

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