novella42's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was my favorite book for most of my teenage years. Historical fiction with a hint of fantasy or magical realism, that I think would be a great read for anyone who enjoyed Outlander by Diana Gabaldon or Eternal Life by Dara Horn. I adored Noah Gordon's writing and the main character, leading me to read the book again and again, in spite of the fact that the medical content was always hard for me. It was also familiar, and it came filtered through the perspective of a deeply compassionate person who wanted more than anything to become a doctor to help people. I found that really comforting as a kid with a disability, who wanted to escape and travel the world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Gore, Islamophobia, Injury/injury detail, Medical trauma, Blood, Alcohol, Violence, Terminal illness, Religious bigotry, Antisemitism, Death, War, Body horror, Miscarriage, Animal death, Child death, Grief, and Sexual content
rainydayswithbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Comfort book! I can't explain exactly why I liked the book so much. The emotions are not particularly described and some situations in the book are more horrible than beautiful (read the trigger warnings!). Nevertheless, I like the story and it is interesting to follow the main character Rob for so long (from childhood to adulthood). His passion for medicine and his journey is unique. The different cultures, religions and lifestyles covered in the book are very authentically told. One gets many images in one's head of the doctors, the heat, the mud house, the market and the hustle and bustle, but also the suffering and poverty, injustice and greed for power of many people. I liked it especially from the middle of the book onwards. Although some of the actions made me gulp and shed tears, the book gave me comfort and took me to another world.π΄π«ππβοΈπ§Ώπͺ
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, War, Sexual content, Death, and Alcohol
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