The Citadel

The Citadel is a powerful novel that helped change the course of modern medicine and remains one of Cronin’s most influential works.

It follows Dr. Andrew Manson, an idealistic young physician who begins his career in the impoverished Welsh mining communities. Confronted with harsh conditions, corruption, and the indifference of established medical authorities, Manson’s early zeal for public health reform is gradually eroded as he rises to success in London. Drawn into the lucrative but morally questionable world of private practice, he faces a crisis of conscience that forces him to confront the true meaning of his vocation.

Praised for its realism and social critique, The Citadel exposed deep flaws in the medical establishment of the time. Its impact was so profound that it influenced public opinion and helped pave the way for the creation of Britain’s National Health Service (NHS). Combining human drama with a call for reform, the novel remains a landmark of socially conscious fiction.