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clementinerosereads's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.5
hollysar's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
glennrj's review
5.0
Must-read memoir of an immigrant doctor in small-town Tennessee dealing with the outbreak of the AIDS epidemic
xiaqine's review
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
It was a really good read to provide a look behind the perspective of a person with HIV back in the 70-80-90s and of a foreign doctor in a small town.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Terminal illness, and Pandemic/Epidemic
expatally's review
5.0
A difficult, but inspiring book about the beginning of the AIDS epidemic, written by a very gifted author and doctor.
lilyevangeline's review
4.0
I have mixed feelings about this.
On the one hand, the parts of this I enjoyed, I really enjoyed. The first half of the book in particular was quite gripping, but things got a little slower paced and meandering towards the end. The descriptions of his patients and the conversations with them were insightful, and the portraits were honest and kind. At times, I found myself frustrated with Dr. Verghese, but I would say that as a snapshot of 5 years early in the HIV epidemic, this was exceptionally well done and quite riveting.
And, indeed, as a story of a young doctor who overextends himself during a crisis and finds himself burnt out and lost, it was also an intriguing self portrait. It's difficult not to compare it how many health professionals experienced COVID. A worthwhile read which left me with a lot of food for thought.
On the one hand, the parts of this I enjoyed, I really enjoyed. The first half of the book in particular was quite gripping, but things got a little slower paced and meandering towards the end. The descriptions of his patients and the conversations with them were insightful, and the portraits were honest and kind. At times, I found myself frustrated with Dr. Verghese, but I would say that as a snapshot of 5 years early in the HIV epidemic, this was exceptionally well done and quite riveting.
And, indeed, as a story of a young doctor who overextends himself during a crisis and finds himself burnt out and lost, it was also an intriguing self portrait. It's difficult not to compare it how many health professionals experienced COVID. A worthwhile read which left me with a lot of food for thought.
slstiner's review
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Fantastic book. I’m impressed with the authors transition from non-fiction to fiction.
liz_renneker's review
4.0
Read after I finished Covenent of Water. This is his first book and it details his experience as a young physician beginning his career in a rural community, embarking on the AIDS epidemic.