Tuesday 31 March 2009

direct red, by gabriel weston

Wow.

It's been awhile since I sat down and devoured a book. And this was full-blown sssh I'm reading pipe down kids kind of concentration, full of sighs and irritated looks at my spouse when he asked me questions that took me away from the page. Questions like 'What did you want to have for supper?' Not picky. 'Is Cass going to that birthday party tomorrow?' Uh-huh. 'Isn't tomorrow Max and Ruby day?' Hon, ask her. 'But...' Bear! I'm reading here!

Exploring the de-humanizing and re-humanizing of a resident training to be a surgeon, this sucks you in from the beginning:

I am about to faint. Methylene Blue. Acridine Orange. I have been holding someone's neck open for seven hours.

and doesn't let go. Ms. Weston uses mercilessly taut phrasing to inform about how being a doctor doesn't mean you automatically know what to do in all situations, exclaim over examples of cockiness, and describes how teeth-gritting it is being treated like the token female by condescending male surgeons.

Full of clear-eyed commentary, this was fascinating. The author has a quick wit and obviously cares about her patients - the glimpses she lets us have of her life are amazing and will haunt you for a long time.

Direct Red, by Gabriel Weston
. Check it out.



cross-posted at my review site, All Over The House

8 comments:

Chantal said...

I have been reading a lot lately (a lot more than I usually do). I am currently reading "we generation" and I have "ten year nap" on deck. Then I have to read "the book thief" for my book club. That one I am super excited about. It looks really good. I will add this one to my list.

petite gourmand said...

this one sounds interesting.

I am currently reading Jpod for a book club and it's kind of funny, but not super gripping or anything like you described.
That's the kind of book I love.
Will have to check it out.

MARY G said...

Thank you -- I love this type of book. Now you can get back to your reading. (Once you have trained the kids that reading is an activity that is not to be interrupted, live improves. If you could ever train the husband to the same level, life would be perfect.)

metro mama said...

She is so candid, isn't she! I read this one really fast.

Woman in a Window said...

Cool. Sounds like a fresh take. I, however, am only reading blogs lately. er, not so good, eh?

apathy lounge said...

Adding it to my reading list just as soon as I can finish studying for and taking (failing) this test.

alison said...

Is it a novel or memoir? Sounds good either way. Will add to my list.

Ree said...

Oooooh, thank you! You're right about it sucking you in...

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