The Hive

Originally published in 1967 as 'A Starch of Aprons', 'The Hive' is a nursing drama in which the author, a former nurse, convincingly evokes the claustrophobic atmosphere of the wards of the Royal Hospital in London. Elizabeth Manton, a new Matron, arrives and is determined to change the hospital and the lives of the nurses working in it. The nurses' pent-up emotions and desires are constricted by hospital routine and Matron re-kindles her own affair with a consultant. When a tragedy almost occurs, however, she is forced to reconsider her position.


About the Author: Claire Rayner, nurse, agony aunt and prolific author was born in London in 1931. Married in 1957, she began writing when she left nursing with the birth of her first child. Claire had a long and varied career. Her concern and insight into medical issues led her to launch a number of high-profile campaigns including raising awareness of incontinence, tackling the problems of migraine and the Medical Passport scheme. Her gift for communication resulted in probably her best-known role as agony aunt for problem pages in 'The Sun', the 'Sunday Mirror' and 'Today' newspapers. She was also a frequent contributor to radio and television broadcasts on matters of health, relationships and contemporary morality. She regularly spoke on matters relating to care of the elderly in her capacity as Commissioner to the Royal Commission on Long Term Care of the Elderly. Claire is the author of over eighty books, which range from fiction to a broad range of medical subjects, from sex education to home nursing and family health. As a journalist she contributed to many popular magazines including 'Woman' and 'Woman’s Own'. She also had work published in professional journals including 'The Lancet' and 'Nursing Times'. Among her fiction work is the ambitious twelve-volume series ‘The Performers’, the six-volume ‘The Poppy Chronicles’ and the five-volume 'George Barnabas' series. Her fiction is characterised by meticulous research and the credible, well-rounded characters.