librostace's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this was going to be a different kind of memoir than it was. The disclaimer for this review is that I work in healthcare. Most of the chapters are like case studies of different patients one might find in the ER and how many systems fail them. I already had an understanding of the lot of these issues and her description of how she organizes her day just kind of bored me.
I also found her repeated comments along the lines of "I knew I would be moving on from here" kind of irritating. Not that it's not true or relatable but somehow in this written format the tone felt off, a bit flat. I suspect I would like her more in person.
I believe someone who doesn't work in healthcare will find this more enlightening than I did.
I am looking forward to eventually reading "When Breath Becomes Air" and "In Shock."
I also found her repeated comments along the lines of "I knew I would be moving on from here" kind of irritating. Not that it's not true or relatable but somehow in this written format the tone felt off, a bit flat. I suspect I would like her more in person.
I believe someone who doesn't work in healthcare will find this more enlightening than I did.
I am looking forward to eventually reading "When Breath Becomes Air" and "In Shock."
alisonchannita's review against another edition
4.0
So captivating. I have zero firsthand experience of what it’s like to work in medicine, but I feel like Dr. Harper gives us a thorough breakdown of the miracles and heartbreaks and complications that medical professionals go through in a day.
draagon's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.0
jm_lr_s_682's review against another edition
3.0
I heard an interview with the author before I read the book and there were too many spoilers. Additionally, this book would be a gentle introduction to the medical horrors America’s health systems have subjected Black people to, but that was something I already knew. It was a fine read, but I read it a chapter at a time, it wasn’t something I couldn’t put down.
readbookswithbecca's review against another edition
3.0
Really good at times. Didn't feel a strong connection to the author though.
gtown19's review against another edition
3.0
Not typically the kind of book I gravitate towards. Overall there were some really great stories from the ER/the authors life and some nice nuggets of wisdom. I really do like the overarching theme of overcoming and healing (although she did lay it on thick at times). At points it could get slow and a little too preachy and a little holier than though (you can pick up on some ivy league educated doctor god complex at points). Makes you want to be better but also made me feel a bit bad.
stacyculler's review against another edition
4.0
The author of this memoir is a physician working in emergency medicine, and she uses the encounters she has with hospital patients, administrators, and other health care staff as a vehicle to discuss and contemplate her own personal growth. She examines the ways in which the strengths and weaknesses of the human spirit emerge during the moments in which we are broken. Times of illness, personal tragedy, and difficult circumstances can force growth, or cause despair, and the only deciding factor in this equation is our own attitude towards life.
I liked this authors’ focus on resilience, forgiveness and compassion, self preservation and self care. She made good points about allowing the other people you encounter in life the space to work through their own journey, and making the decision to reject the ability of others to drag you down in your journey. She uses the example of her abusive father…she chose to separate herself from him to protect her own heart…for many years…but when he arrived at a spot in his journey where he could seek forgiveness and possibly relationship, she determined that she was also at a point where she had room to entertain the idea of letting him back into her life.
I also appreciated her ability to acknowledge the strengths of our modern medical care system, while also accepting and celebrating the benefits of alternative and traditional treatments, lifestyle, and mind/body connection. I like a person who can have space to say, my field of study does not have ALL the answers, and may have something to gain from other perspectives.
I liked this authors’ focus on resilience, forgiveness and compassion, self preservation and self care. She made good points about allowing the other people you encounter in life the space to work through their own journey, and making the decision to reject the ability of others to drag you down in your journey. She uses the example of her abusive father…she chose to separate herself from him to protect her own heart…for many years…but when he arrived at a spot in his journey where he could seek forgiveness and possibly relationship, she determined that she was also at a point where she had room to entertain the idea of letting him back into her life.
I also appreciated her ability to acknowledge the strengths of our modern medical care system, while also accepting and celebrating the benefits of alternative and traditional treatments, lifestyle, and mind/body connection. I like a person who can have space to say, my field of study does not have ALL the answers, and may have something to gain from other perspectives.
katie_88's review against another edition
4.0
I haven’t read many memoirs, but this was an interesting one! Having a medical background myself, I could relate to many of her stories and struggles trying to prioritize care over profit and protocol. I also feel like this memoir pulled back the curtain a bit more for me on how much more of a struggle it is for a black woman medical professional. I’m grateful to the author for sharing her perspective and helping others have more of an understanding. I also appreciated her focus on as much non-medicine treatment as possible. As a pharmacist, I see so many patients with extreme poly-pharmacy, gaining new prescriptions with every doctor’s visit. As much as we know that sometimes medication is necessary, it’s meant to be an adjunct tool not your only option. Overall, Harper has an uplifting philosophy and viewpoint on life, despite her unfair circumstances that she rose above. Definitely a worthwhile read!