A. J. Cronin (1896–1981)

I can enjoy vintage fiction works that have something important to say, even when the writing styles may be dated—as is the case with this classic novel. What's more, it isn't a short or fast-paced read, but Andrew's experiences in the first phases had me interested enough to see where his journey would go.

It was something to watch his idealist's eyes open to lamentable realities concerning the state of the medical field he'd entered. Then with the thickening of the plot, the heightening of the conflict, and my growing care for some of the characters, I truly became invested.

And I appreciate a flawed protagonist; it isn't my thing for lead characters to come off as virtually perfect. Still, during the phase when Andrew changes into a fairly colossal jerk, although the author does show the gradual process of Andrew's reasoning and how he justifies himself on his way down, I found it a little hard to put up with his jerkiness and keep reading.

Also, I'm not a fan of the story's handling of the character Christine, ultimately, or how some critical matters play out in her marriage to Andrew. A big part of the issue may come down to this 1937 novel being a product of its period, as the author aimed to write a morality tale during a time when the culture/media promoted certain "wifely ideals."

On a different note, while the instances of more colorful language are left to the reader's imagination, I'd say that as the characters' uses of "damn" and "hell" in their nonliteral senses eventually increased, they became repetitive to the point of excess.

Nevertheless, I was sure that Andrew's journey as a man and as a doctor would come around in this story that, again, has something important and meaningful to say. I wasn't disappointed on that front.

Plus, the reading made me curious to watch the 1983 British television mini series based on the novel. So! We'll see how that goes.

(Does that screen adaptation handle Christine's character any differently? Just asking. If you happen to know the answer—don't tell me.)… (meer)

Read for our local book group. Compelling reading at times, about a young, idealistic doctor starting out in a Welsh mining village in the 1920s. He learns a lot, makes friends (and enemies), and his idealistic principles are challenged - even abandoned for a while.

The characters and situations are realistic, based on the author's own experiences, and demonstrate some of the horrors of medicine before the NHS. I didn't really relate to any of the characters, and found some of the events shocking, but definitely think it's worth reading.

I'd give it three and three-quarters stars if I could!

Longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-citadel-by-aj-cronin.html… (meer)