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The Language of Kindness

A Nurse's Story

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The Language of Kindness

By: Christie Watson
Narrated by: Christie Watson
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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 Health Care Health Medicine

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
The Language of Kindness has made me laugh and made me cry. And it has given me all the feelings in between. It is absolutely beautifully written. Christie’s voice reading it drives home the love and authenticity that obviously fuels her passion as a nurse. And as a student nurse it has fuelled my passion too. Could not recommend highly enough. Now excuse me while I listen to it a fourth time. And fifth.

A book you can go back to over and over again

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Wow what a book, I wish I had read this book during my nursing training and in my first years as a nurse! It makes we want to return to nuring but at the same time I have never shed so many tears while listening to a book. Well written, will definitely read again.

Unforgettable!!!

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This book is honest and what a great insite into the world of nursing. I loved the narration from the author, easy to listen to! Highly recommended!!

Fantastic book! Loved it so much!

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A soon to be graduated nurse
It put so simply things I have learnt clinically but also about life and how that makes me a good nurse. It was beautiful to hear nursing described in such a way it was just what I needed.

Simply Beautiful

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As a freshly graduated nurse starting out in the field, this book spoke to me at a deep level. Christie narrated her story with such passion and brilliance I couldn't get enough. Even if one is not a health professional, they will still have a firm understanding and subsequent admiration of the role and life of nurse through the author's thorough explanation of medical terminology in layman's terms. 5 stars. Have recommended to everyone I know!

This Book Took Over My Life 'Til Finished

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