Preview
  • 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 (2,838 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.
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Audible Questionnaire with Cynthia Erivo

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About the Creator

Patti Callahan Henry is the NYT best-selling author of fifteen novels, including Becoming Mrs. Lewis and Surviving Savannah. She is the recipient of The Harper Lee Distinguished Writer of the Year award as well as the Christy Award Book of the Year and The Alabama Library Association Book of the Year. Patti is the co-creator and co-host of the weekly web show and podcast Friends and Fiction. Once a pediatric clinical nurse specialist, Patti is now a full time author and lives in Mountain Brook Alabama.
Photographed by Bud Johnson Photography

What listeners say about Wild Swan

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So Worthwhile!

A wonderful telling of Florence Nightingale's early life, before she became known as the 'lady with the lamp'. Her struggles against societal and familial expectations were touching and inspirational. This is a great story to enjoy with your family or classroom.

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Excellent short read

Wild swan is an excellent but short read. I would’ve liked if this book went into more depth. All in all what was provide in this book was very interesting as well as informative about Florence Nightingale.

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Very interesting and inspiring.

Read with great interest her story. I felt inspired to climb my next mountain and achieve a dream.

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Wonderful, inspirational, motivational

Perfect length and wonderfully written. The narrator had a lovely voice and played the part well.

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Afterward is inspiring

Although it felt slow in a place or two (which actually may help the listener understand Nightengale's hopelessness), the afterward was brilliant and inspirational. As I write this review we are in the 2nd year of the pandemic, and this story has given me hope and historical relevance. Thank you, Ms Callahan.

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Needs to be a full novel!

Excellent! Narration was perfect and story was a tease. I so wish this was a full length novel.

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Powerful Story

The eloquence with which Patti tells the incredible and powerful story of Florence Nightingale is beyond words. You will be inspired by this life story. As a narrater, Cynthia is superb.

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Inspirational

A beautiful narration by a voice that was captivating telling a story that was inspiring.

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Wild Swan

As a nurse, the story filled in blanks in the myth of my hero. I never knew how much she had sacrificed.

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Florence Nightingale's Back story

This short novel is interesting insight into how
Florence Nightingale became a nurse and the sacrifices she made to pursue her calling and the barriers she overcame

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