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The War Nurses

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The War Nurses

By: Anthea Hodgson
Narrated by: Harriet Gordan-Anderson, Jo Van Es
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About this listen

In 1941, country girls Minnie Hodgson and Margot McNee set sail from Perth, Australia, for Singapore in search of adventure, full of excitement and keen to do their part working as nurses to the fallen soldiers in a time of war. What they encounter is an army of new friends and the terrors of a city under siege.

When the Japanese attack and Singapore falls, they are forced to flee aboard the Vyner Brooke. The ship is bombed, resulting in utter devastation. Separated in the mayhem, one group of nurses find themselves in prisoner-of-war camps for the duration of the war, surviving on their wits, with humour, dignity, loyalty and determination. But another group of young Australian nurses - the girls on the beach - are washed ashore on Bangka Island, where they will meet a fate that must never be forgotten.

Inspired by the author's own family story, this is an unforgettable novel of enduring friendship and boundless courage, based on the shocking true events of the Bangka Island Massacre. It is both a riveting tale and an important tribute to our brave nurses who sacrificed so much during World War II.


©2023 Anthea Hodgson (P)2023 Penguin Random House Australia Audio 20th Century Fiction Historical Fiction War Imperial Japan Singapore

Critic Reviews

'A powerful and absorbing story of friendship and courage, bringing to life a history that should never be forgotten. I could not put this book down, even as it broke my heart.' Kelly Rimmer

'A beautifully woven story which absolutely broke my heart and then mended it in the most bittersweet way.' Amazon

'The Drifter heralds the arrival of a strong and fresh new voice in Australian rural literature.' Book Muster Down Under
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The narrator was great! A tale of extreme Japanese cruelty . A band of resilient women. Wish the story was just a horror story but it really happened 😩😤

A survival challenge

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Spectacular!! What a rollercoaster of emotions! So well written, aa absolute credit to the author.

Loved it

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I loved this book I cried. I laughed, but most of all, the knowledge I learnt from this book will stay with me forever. What a great read.

The history

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Anthea Hodgson does the wonderful war nurses complete justice in the riveting novel. It contains truths, laughs, tear and love between the trauma of war life. I couldn't put it down!

A harrowing but unforgettable read.

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I had to start this book twice before I got into it, but so glad I did. What a beautiful story of friendship, bravery, and love.

Brave women that should never be forgotten

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So insightful, brilliant history, a story needing to be told, and one I’ll never forget. Great narration.

Must read

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Amazing story, mainly true, of kindness, strength, love and humanity in the face of the most inhumane treatment.

Inspirational

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I have known of this story in factual, non fiction history and was eager to read this 'fictionalised' version. I was not disappointed. I listened almost uninterrupted from beginning to end.
I would highly recommend this excellent telling of a dark period of world history.

Very well written

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It was a fabulous book. It told real stories about the war. About the war nurses.

The War Nurses

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I loved the reading of this true story which brought the characters of the Australian nurses alive for me. When I was there listening, feeling their fear and degradation, smiling at their joking with each other, but above all the love for each other and their fellow internees and patients. I cried for them because I knew this really happened and I felt the anger for the evil cruelty. The whole period of those dreadful times for those brave girls, reminded me of how terrible war is and how many suffered in those World War 2 times. It was so good also to read the epilogue, and the credits, thank you for that Anthea, I felt for you too.

Wonderfully read true story of courage and resilience

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