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enterprisingyoungman's review
5.0
An overview of the HIV crisis in the 1980s in rural America. A collection of case studies tied with Dr. Verghese's own life journey, with masterful writing and a meandering structure that kept the flow interesting. Excellent characterizations of the patients; I almost cried at a few points.
book_concierge's review
4.0
In 1985 Abraham Verghese, a young Indian doctor specializing in infectious diseases, was working in Johnson City, Tennessee. Nestled in the Smoky Mountains, the town had always seemed exempt from the anxieties and modern American life. But that summer, the local hospital treated its first AIDS patient, and before long a crisis that had once seemed an “urban problem” had arrived in town to stay.
This is Verghese's memoir of that time. Using several case studies to illustrate, he tells the community's story as well as that of his own personal journey. It is informative, inspiring, tender, frightening, compassionate and memorable.
This is a story of courage and fear, of uninformed reactions and thoughtful response, of death and living, of bemoaning one's fate and rising to the occasion, of being an outsider and belonging to a community, of angry denial and graceful acceptance. Verghese is eloquent in describing his surroundings, patients and others in the town and surrounding area.
This is Verghese's memoir of that time. Using several case studies to illustrate, he tells the community's story as well as that of his own personal journey. It is informative, inspiring, tender, frightening, compassionate and memorable.
This is a story of courage and fear, of uninformed reactions and thoughtful response, of death and living, of bemoaning one's fate and rising to the occasion, of being an outsider and belonging to a community, of angry denial and graceful acceptance. Verghese is eloquent in describing his surroundings, patients and others in the town and surrounding area.
waynediane's review
5.0
Verghese is one of the most beautiful writers. Truly gifted! This book is a memoir of Verghese's early years as an infectious disease specialist in Johnson Tenn. At the beginning of the AIDS crisis - many true patient stories and his evolution with the disease and his practice. OUTSTANDING stories.
karinlib's review
4.0
For some reason, I read this first memoir by Verghese, after his second memoir and his book Cutting for Stone. If Verghese wrote ads, I would read them too, he is that good. My Own Country is the memoir of a doctor who has moved to Johnson City , Tennessee, to practice as an Internist. He has a fascination with Infectious Diseases, and becomes the area's leading expert on AIDS.
I love the Verghese's writing style, he writes so beautifully about medicine, that you almost want to enroll in medical school.
I love the Verghese's writing style, he writes so beautifully about medicine, that you almost want to enroll in medical school.
buttermellow's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Terminal illness, Death, and Medical content
Moderate: Blood, Infidelity, Grief, Abandonment, and Dementia
Minor: Excrement
clementinerosereads's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.5