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  • The Language of Kindness

  • A Nurse's Story
  • By: Christie Watson
  • Narrated by: Christie Watson
  • Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (678 ratings)
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The Language of Kindness cover art

The Language of Kindness

By: Christie Watson
Narrated by: Christie Watson
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

Christie Watson was a nurse for 20 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. 

©2018 Christie Watson (P)2018 Penguin Audio

What listeners say about The Language of Kindness

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Honest and thought provoking

After 80+ audible listens, this is the first time I’ve felt compelled to leave a review. This book is such an honest reflection on life within the NHS, at a time of great change and uncertainty. It’s emotionally charged without being overly dramaticised because it doesn’t need to be. The calm delivery despite at times the deeply moving content in my experience sums nurses up to a tee. Unsung heroes. I wish I could thank the author for putting into words how I and many of my NHS colleagues feel at work each day and writing this very human reflection.

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48 people found this helpful

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Emotional rollercoaster

Enlightening insight into the compassion and kindness of nurses. Left me in awe of the commitment nurses have for their profession and the emotional sacrifice they make everyday. Warning - this book may make you buy friends in nursing boxes of chocolates/bottles of wine.

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25 people found this helpful

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Nurse reviews nurse

Christie’s tales remind me of the highly privileged position we are in as nurses. Nurses work with the extremes of profound tragedy and grief; soaring joy and the miraculous. All this, mingled with the piss, shit, pus, vomit, blood, wretchedness, compassion and love which is the daily grist of nursing. Christie has experienced and describes it all without ever losing humanity or balance, demonstrating deep insight into nursing and the real value of our most important nationalised industry - NHS. Inspiring!

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16 people found this helpful

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An emotional and uplifting read.....

Such a rollercoaster of a read, it made me smile, laugh, cry and feel so grateful for kind, caring, Nurses who every day make a difference to someone’s life 😊

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14 people found this helpful

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Beautifully written & moving & account of life as an NHS nurse

After reading this book I first wanted to hug my children, then my parents, then a nurse. Christie Watson’s story of her 20+ years working as a nurse within the NHS is beautifully, almost poetically written, yet is easily accessible & engaging. Through stories of individual patients, and looking back on the history of nursing Christie encourages us to look more closely at a profession we will all encounter in our lives, either as a patient ourselves, or visiting a loved one in hospital. Nursing is undoubtably an incredible profession to work in, but we must also understand that at times it is a very difficult job, both physically and emotionally. This is an incredible book that everyone should read. Thank goodness for our NHS and thank goodness for nurses.

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10 people found this helpful

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Want a good read? Look no further

Super! Absolutely true to life. A compulsive listen! Unreservedly recommended! Just sorry it is ended.

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9 people found this helpful

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Excellent book on nursing and life

As a third year nursing student, having almost ten years experience as a care assistant, this book spoke very deeply to me. So many experiences were recognizable, and Watson puts it all so beautifully into words. That's impressive because so often, the healthcare system face us with people and situations that are both so wonderful and horrible that we are often at a loss for words. It made me proud of the profession I'm entering, and humbled me with respect to the responsibilities I'm about to undertake when this year is over.

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7 people found this helpful

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A wonderful book about nursing

So lovely to read the memories of a nurse. I could relate to so much that Christie has witnessed. And it made me realise that the people we meet through our nursing career stay in our hearts forever. I also forget that the empathy which comes so naturally to me is not present in everyone and that it is the most essential quality for anyone who wants to become a nurse.

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6 people found this helpful

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It certainly helps the reader understand the language of kindness.

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.

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4 people found this helpful

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Wonderful!

After hearing Christie speak at an so eloquently I was sold on this book. I was not let down, Christie captures the rollercoaster of emotion that is nursing wonderfully!

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4 people found this helpful