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  • Wild Swan

  • A Story of Florence Nightingale
  • By: Patti Callahan
  • Narrated by: Cynthia Erivo
  • Length: 1 hr and 54 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (22 ratings)

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Wild Swan

By: Patti Callahan
Narrated by: Cynthia Erivo
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Publisher's Summary

In this captivating historical novella narrated by Tony Award-winning actress Cynthia Erivo, New York Times best-selling author Patti Callahan Henry celebrates the life of the mother of modern nursing and one of history's greatest heroines: Florence Nightingale.

Wild Swan introduces listeners to the Lady with the Lamp long before she became a legend. In this poignant story, a young woman has just discovered her divine purpose to become a nurse, and struggles to make that dream a reality. While traveling abroad with her close friend, Selina Bracebridge - another strong woman living an unconventional life - a rare opportunity arises for Florence to practice medicine. Intellectually gifted with an advanced education thanks to her father’s progressive political views, can the daughter of a prominent English family defy Victorian societal expectations to fulfill her destiny?

Over the course of a few short years, Florence remains brave and determined in the face of all obstacles, pursuing her passion against her family’s wishes. From her parent’s luxurious countryside estate in England to her travels abroad to the German medical institute where she first began her training and fell in love with her work, we follow Florence during these pivotal early years of her extraordinary life.

©2020 Patti Callahan Henry (P)2020 Audible Originals, LLC.

What listeners say about Wild Swan

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  • Overall
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Wow, what a lady!! Very inspiring!

Florence paved the way for nursing as a professional. She strongly advocated for women and feminism and did all of these with empathy, compassion and humility. She’s responsible for one of the most trusted and respected professionals and I’m proud to be a nurse!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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lovely

A lovely little look into her life and fight to become a nurse. would of loved even more.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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A truly unique storyteller who honours legacy

I have listened to this story twice and the author has inherited something of the mantle of CS Lewis. She has kept me spellbound and inspired in every work I have read. Over all she honours the influence of God’s call on a life lived for others where humility and sacrifice are key values that challenge contemporary philosophy. Her stories reflect the uniqueness and gifted intelligence of those she writes about. The performance is excellent, captivating the listener.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Very informative

Not only an enjoyable story but also very informative. I believe the author has captured the essence of Florence Nightingale , transforming her from a woman from the history pages to someone young women of today can aspire to.

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Beautiful

such an encouraging and uplifting story, well written and read by a narrator with a gentle and soothing voice, well suited to the nature I imagine Florence had.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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a different perspective

I enjoyed this introduction to a famous character which was based around her struggle to follow her calling despite family resistance and protocols of the day. I will seek more knowledge about the amazing contribution Florence N made to the world of nursing.
The narration was lovely.

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