A hope filled and immersive coming of age story about a nurse on an uncredible journey.

"This coming of age story about a young woman running from her past and learning how to adapt amongst the harsh landscape is a heart-warming one. The characters in Hudson Bay and the surrounding communities are vibrant and lifelike, the descriptions of the setting are immersive, the conflicts and troubles associated with an isolated life are detailed clearly. I thought that there was care taken to explore, acknowledge and explore the interactions between Canadians and the Inuit communities, from the mistrust of western medical treatment and new people, the importance of learning traditions and the horrors of being sent away to hospital or to the schools, potentially never to return home. I also felt the same care was taken with Connie’s relationships, as she slowly settles and is able to accept her past and herself. This is a gentle and heart-warming coming-of-age story that you can immerse yourself in and enjoy. It’s endearing to see Connie mature over her time in the Arctic, growing confidence in herself as well as her medical skills."

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From Manchester to the Arctic is a well written novel.

Go on a journey to the Arctic with Connie in this novel. From Manchester to the Arctic is a well-written story depicting the lives and challenges of members of a small community in the Arctic. I loved the characters and their diverse personalities. Sheena brought each character to life. I liked how Connie interacted with and respected the Inuit people and their culture. She immersed herself perfectly into the Arctic lifestyle and found positive ways to overcome her homesickness. It was clear that the characters were running from something, and I was curious about what brought each of them to this cold land. Connie's reason is told in little bits and pieces throughout the plot, adding intrigue to the story."

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A gripping read.

"This was a gripping read, as I followed Connie’s journey from a naive student nurse floundering in an alien environment to the confident, assured woman she becomes. Every character is well drawn and I felt empathy for all of them - even the vicar’s wife, whose initial cold, judgemental temperament is peeled away to show her insecurities and failing health by the end. The setting is brought to life vividly: its climate, the Inuit people and their superstitions and the sense of community. I loved becoming part of their world, through Connie’s eyes, willing for her to find happiness until the end."

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"I just loved this book, it was so well written and so descriptive of the extreme beauty and harshness of the Arctic that I almost felt I was there. I simply could not put it down until I had finished it. It provides such a wonderfully unique insight into life for the Inuits and expats living and working there in the 1970s. I hope this is made into a film, it would be an amazing one! A real little gem of a book, read it, this is one you won't regret."

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An impressive insight into the life of the Inuit in Canada and the Westerners who ventured there.

"This was a thoroughly interesting book with an intriguing setting - the Canadian Arctic. I’ve long been intrigued by indigenous communities around the world and with more light being brought to communities like the Inuit and how the Canadian government mistreated them in the 20th century, this book was particularly timely in its account of life for the Inuit and the Westerners who interacted with them.
Set in the 1970s, recently qualified nurse Connie has fled Manchester for chillier climes after her ‘more than a friend’, Helen, suddenly announces she’s getting married to a man. Answering an ad for ‘a nurse wanted with a sense of adventure’, she finds herself half way around the world in the unforgiving Canadian Arctic, as the only medical care for hundreds of miles. Through her, we meet a variety of characters including Daisy, a Canadian researcher working for the government who is trying to help the local communities, and Esther, the young daughter of the local Reverend and his wife.
The plot is well done and follows a full year in the Arctic, with Connie arriving in summer when there is daylight all day and night, cycling through the dark winter months and back to summer again. As Connie learns more about the Inuit and their way of life, so does the reader - including some Inuktitut words!"

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