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One Pair of Feet
'I envy anyone yet to discover the joy of Monica Dickens ... she's blissfully funny' Nina Stibbe
Series: Virago Modern Classics
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Check link for latest rating. ( 656 ratings, 67 reviews)
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Format: Paperback / softback
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A charming, funny and fascinating account of a young trainee nurse during the Second World War.
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Description
INTRODUCED BY LISSA EVANS
'I envy anyone yet to discover the joy of Monica Dickens. She's beady eyed, big hearted and blissfully funny' Nina Stibbe
One Pair of Feet is not just a spirited and entertaining account of the training of a hospital nurse in wartime but a fascinating glimpse into a time and a culture so recent and yet so utterly changed' Marina Lewycka
As the effects of the war raging in Europe begin to be felt at home in London, Monica Dickens decides to do her bit and to pursue a new career, and so enrols as a student nurse at a hospital in rural Hertfordshire. By nature clever and spirited, she struggles to submit to the iron rule of the Matron and Sisters, and is alternately infuriated and charmed by her patients. That's not to mention the mountains of menial work that are a trainee's lot. But there are friends among the staff and patients, night-time escapades to dances with dashing army men, and her secret writing project to keep her going.
'Monica's naked curiosity and general bolshiness are easy to identify with, and as a narrator she always tells us what we're longing to know - it's like listening to a friend's anecdote, and egging them on' LISSA EVANS
If you enjoyed One Pair of Feet, you will love the novel that followed it. My Turn to Make the Tea, Monica Dickens's lively and entertaining novel about life as a cub reporter on a regional newspaper, is also published as a Virago Modern Classic.
Series: Virago Modern Classics
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
One Pair of Feet by Monica Dickens receives praise for its humour, moving narrative, and fascinating insights. Critics appreciate Dickens' keen observations of English life and her capacity to combine hilarity with a heartfelt account of wartime nursing. The book is lauded for its engaging storytelling, offering a nostalgic and entertaining glimpse into a rapidly changing era.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780349016016
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 21 April 2022
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Virago Press Ltd
Contributors:
- Introduction by Marina Lewycka
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 30.0mm
Width: 126.0mm
Height: 196.0mm
Weight: 206g
Pages: 256
About the Author
Monica Dickens MBE (1915-1992) was the great-granddaughter of Charles Dickens. Expelled from St Paul's Girls' School, she was then sent to a finishing school in France, before returning home to life as a debutante.
She then spent two years as a cook and general servant, which she wrote about in her first book, One Pair of Hands (1939). The book published when she was twenty-four, was a bestseller and established her reputation as a writer. During the Second World War, Dickens trained as a nurse and again successfully recounted her experiences in One Pair of Feet (1942). In her career she wrote over fifty books for both adults and children, including the Follyfoot series. For twenty years, Dickens also wrote a much-loved column for Woman's Own. She was involved with the NSPCC, the RSPCA and the Samaritans.More from Biography & Memoir
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