A number of the stories in the book are similar to stories in the autobiographical Adventures in Two Worlds. About a doctor and his life just starting out in the mines of south Wales to classy West End London. Characters could use a little more depth especially the main ones. A fairly weak plot until the til the last where it really strengthens into a pretty good heartfelt book. ( )

This thrilling novel of a doctor's life has been the subject of a Mobil Masterpiece Theatre dramatic series on PBS. "Cronin's distinguished achievement. . . . No one could have written as fine, honest, and moving a study of a young doctor as "The Citadel" without possessing great literary taste and skill".--"The Atlantic Monthly". ( )

This deeply moving novel has been a favorite of mine since I read it in my mid-teens while working towards becoming a doctor myself. I couldn't put it down and I'm prepared to admit that I cried more than once, particularly towards the end. I agree that the story is a little predictable but it's so well written that it doesn't matter. 'The Citadel' is one of the classics of twentieth century British fiction; as important, in its own way, as 'Animal Farm' or 'Nineteen Eighty-four'. I think everyone should read it, particularly modern critics of the NHS who (as collective memory fades) seem to need reminding of what came before. They might also learn a little humility.

My wife has just finished reading it ('its my new favorite novel') and she came across a few technical terms with which some readers may not be familiar. I feel so strongly about this book that I will post a short glossary in the Comments section, which I hope that other readers will find useful. ( )

This is an exceptionally engaging story of a young, idealistic doctor as he embarks on his medical practice. Dr. Manson joins a practice in a remote, isolated Welsh mining town. It is a baptism by fire. His supervising physician is incapacitated by a stroke and this doctor’s miserly wife withholds money, support and information from Dr. Manson. Manson’s idealism and enthusiasm carries him through many discouraging, lonely months. Eventually he meets a young school teacher and falls in love. Manson and Christine leave this mining town for another position and again throw themselves into medicine and village life. Eventually Dr. Manson takes his practice to London where he succumbs to the temptations of making money by sacrificing his medical integrity.

In some ways the decline and redemption of Dr. Manson is too predictable and unrealistic; however Cronin wrote The Citadel in (1937) and for that time this was a revolutionary account of an ordinary man’s life. ( )

I was completely shocked when Andrew's wife died. One of my favorite books. ( )