The Courage to Care

The handbook for compassion… a must-read book – Chris Evans
She repeatedly finds the beam of light in the darkest rooms… Watson is a terrific guide to the gritty reality of hospital life… We have never needed their [nurses’] expertise more than we do now – Helen Brown * Daily Telegraph *
Now more than ever, nurses are on our minds and in our hearts. Christie writes with beauty and compassion about how they do their jobs. When I wasn’t crying, I was marvelling – Tracy Chevalier, author of A Single Thread
Magnificent… timely and resonant… In these unprecedented times, Watson challenges the rest of us to be more like nurses and to find the courage to care, no matter who is in need – Caroline Sanderson * Sunday Express *
An inspiring book for our challenging times. It’s never been more important to care for one another and the amazing Christie Watson shows us the way – Olivia Colman
Watson writes with wry humour and a cheerful, conversational tone, but the world of care she describes - mental health wards, dying children or neglected elderly patients - is often hard to bear… [The Courage to Care] is a love letter to her profession; her admiration for her colleagues shines through every story – Stephanie Merritt * Observer *
In this timely read, Watson, a former nurse who returned to work in critical care during the coronavirus peak, tells stories both heart-in-mouth and humbling. She reveals the extraordinary, beyond-the-call-of-duty work that nurses do, and the bravery of the patients and families they care for * Daily Mirror *
I loved The Courage to Care - Christie Watson writes so tenderly and truthfully. It is a spirit-lifting read – Jacqueline Wilson
Watson has an unflinching eye for detail, and her ability to put the reader in the room means that we too bear witness… As Watson explains in her introduction, she has been talking and writing about the importance of nurses for years, but Covid-19 - which came along as she was making her final edits to the book - has made her subject more poignant and timely – Cathy Rentzenbrink * The Times *
Inspirational * Mail on Sunday *

Christie Watson is Professor of Creative Writing at UEA and has written eight books, including Tiny Sunbirds Far Away, which won the Costa First Novel Award. Her debut memoir The Language of Kindness was based on her twenty years working as a nurse, and became a Number 1 Sunday Times Bestseller. Christie is a contributor to The Times, The Sunday Times, The Guardian, The Telegraph, and TedX. Her work has been translated into 23 languages and adapted for theatre.

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