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jessshire_cat's review against another edition
4.0
More serious than his other two books. Adam Kay is an excellent writer.
milliethemoo9189's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.25
whateverbookclub's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Still funny but knocked me back with the seriousness and raw honesty as well.
This is Going to Hurt heralded the arrival of the stand-up medic, the former doctor with dozens of bonkers stories from behind the hospital curtain. Kay has since gone on to repeat the winning formula and branched out into children's biology. Bravo, all well and good.
I was expecting more of the same from Undoctored, and this started as expected - Kay's journey from doctor into the unknown as he tells of the knockbacks and trials of a wannabe comic and writer. It was only when I realised we were hearing about Kay's own dark and quite dramatic battle with body dysmorphia and eating disorders that I realised Undoctored was a lot more than I had thought.
Still keeping his sense of humour about things, you might suddenly find yourself both laughing and with a tear running down your cheek. Male eating disorders aren't often a subject we get to read about, and hearing Kay himself relate the off-the-cuff comment on his size that spiraled into years of dangerous habits and life-threatening choices... it felt brave and was actually quite upsetting in its unexpectedness.
Kay outdoes himself later on, and to prepare readers not planning for chapters on sexual abuse, you may need to know this in advance. In talking about his realisation of his homosexuality, while married, Kay relates experimenting with this hithertofore unexplored side of himself. With slightly graphic and quite distressing results for the reader. I read the audiobook, and found this quite hard to listen to from him, though he rides it out with professionalism and distance.
So, yes. Not quite the 'guess what was up his bum' scenes from earlier books. It covers everything from Kay's own self-doubts and those of his parents and partners, his early days taking on writing jobs that seemed thankless. Looks back to student days and medical training, and even looks ahead to what he wants from life.
Still funny, he really does come up with a few zingers, but the material is also charged and unanticipated.
This is Going to Hurt heralded the arrival of the stand-up medic, the former doctor with dozens of bonkers stories from behind the hospital curtain. Kay has since gone on to repeat the winning formula and branched out into children's biology. Bravo, all well and good.
I was expecting more of the same from Undoctored, and this started as expected - Kay's journey from doctor into the unknown as he tells of the knockbacks and trials of a wannabe comic and writer. It was only when I realised we were hearing about Kay's own dark and quite dramatic battle with body dysmorphia and eating disorders that I realised Undoctored was a lot more than I had thought.
Still keeping his sense of humour about things, you might suddenly find yourself both laughing and with a tear running down your cheek. Male eating disorders aren't often a subject we get to read about, and hearing Kay himself relate the off-the-cuff comment on his size that spiraled into years of dangerous habits and life-threatening choices... it felt brave and was actually quite upsetting in its unexpectedness.
Kay outdoes himself later on, and to prepare readers not planning for chapters on sexual abuse, you may need to know this in advance. In talking about his realisation of his homosexuality, while married, Kay relates experimenting with this hithertofore unexplored side of himself. With slightly graphic and quite distressing results for the reader. I read the audiobook, and found this quite hard to listen to from him, though he rides it out with professionalism and distance.
So, yes. Not quite the 'guess what was up his bum' scenes from earlier books. It covers everything from Kay's own self-doubts and those of his parents and partners, his early days taking on writing jobs that seemed thankless. Looks back to student days and medical training, and even looks ahead to what he wants from life.
Still funny, he really does come up with a few zingers, but the material is also charged and unanticipated.
cassowary_and_sachertorte's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
narrenkaiserin's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Adam Kay‘s writing style is the same as in his other book. The swearing, the same sass and wit.
This book though doesn‘t describe his life during his time as a doctor but his struggle afterwards, with some important flashbacks. Some might not like it, but I did. Down to all the gory details (it‘s those details people liked in his other books so why not now?)
The way he describes his struggle with ED, PTSD and SA…when he finally breaks down at the GP‘s office! All with his typical Adam-humour.
I loved this book and will recommend it to all my friends who loved the other books and the tv-show!
This book though doesn‘t describe his life during his time as a doctor but his struggle afterwards, with some important flashbacks. Some might not like it, but I did. Down to all the gory details (it‘s those details people liked in his other books so why not now?)
The way he describes his struggle with ED, PTSD and SA…when he finally breaks down at the GP‘s office! All with his typical Adam-humour.
I loved this book and will recommend it to all my friends who loved the other books and the tv-show!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Sexual assault