Reviews

The House of God by Samuel Shem

bumbliu's review

The only thing the author does is describing nipples every 2 pages not to mention the amount of racist and sexist content, im surprised i even got as far as 200 pages into the book.......

clare_tan_wenhui's review against another edition

dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

While this book does a competent enough job of deconstructing the myth of the sacred medical professional, the humour could have been delivered in a manner that was far less crass and episodic, which these elements had severely compromised the reading experience to appreciate this book.

saywhatyouwill's review

medium-paced

2.0

kporo23's review

DNF

was given this at the start of med school and as someone who is entering residency decided to start it now and hates everything about it. just really outdated, not “proving a point” or like “black comedy”, just not what’s needed in the medical field anymore

malte_rnative's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

gar kein bock auf assistenzarzt-zeit jetzt

doctorlauren12's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

rach_lle's review against another edition

objectification of women

mrsdryoder's review

5.0

I love this book more and more every time I read it.

ratluri's review

challenging informative lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I found the book very quirky, in a good way. The nicknames were funny and made me smile. The beginning of the book was very eye-opening, how complicated patients were, relationship between doctors and nurses, the difficulty of the shifts. By the middle of the book, I became worried. I got so scared how bitter healthcare would make me in my own journey. Berry noticed this in Roy as well, he was becoming a machine. He worked to kick patients out of his units and the care strayed away from compassion. I thought about how I can deal with the struggles of healthcare through medical school and residency. It’s going to be hard, difficult patients, coworkers, annoying healthcare issues. And I still don’t know how, but this book has encouraged me to consciously think about that throughout my education and career. The ending of the book was fantastic. It was very hopeful, showing that there is a way to overcome bitterness in healthcare. It also helped me find a different definition of compassion, it’s not just being nice and kind, but simply being present. “Being with” is a powerful force to think about in my professional and personal life. I appreciate the honesty Dr. Shem puts into this book and I plan to read it again during my medical training. 

elevyn's review

dark emotional hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Insightful peek into our medical system from the provider viewpoint.