JG Donagh, a long-serving surgical care practitioner at the Cardiff and Vale Orthopaedic Centre (CAVOC) based in University Hospital Llandough, has published his debut novel The Second Light. The historical fiction book has already gained support from colleagues and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Chief Executive Suzanne Rankin, who purchased a copy via Amazon Prime.
From scalpel to pen
Donagh has been part of the South Wales surgical community since 2005, trained by consultant Mr. Christopher Wilson. He worked with the Tuesday trauma team while raising four children. Reflecting on his 26-year healthcare career, he said: 'Death is a part of our lifestyle choice, but the suffering we all encountered during the COVID outbreak was brutal. There were times we wondered how we would get through it all.'
Near-fatal accident sparked writing
Last year, Donagh suffered a severe accident and was blue-lighted to Royal Glamorgan Hospital. 'This close encounter with my own mortality made me realise that life is very short and you should enjoy the moment,' he said. While in hospital, he decided to turn short stories he had told his children into a full-length book.
The Second Light: plot and themes
Set on the Western Front in 1915, The Second Light explores psychological tensions of warfare and hidden forces beneath conflict. It is the first instalment in a planned epic series examining fate versus free will.
Community support
Chief executive Suzanne Rankin messaged Donagh: 'How wonderful and many congratulations on the successful publication of your first novel. I’m really interested to read the copy I have just purchased via Amazon Prime.' Donagh said: 'From my experience of the joys of life and death I've seen in the NHS, I do believe that it is the small wins that make life wonderful. And for me, this is a small win.'
The Second Light is available on Amazon in paperback and ebook formats.
