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A review by rosemarykirk
A Fortunate Man: The Story of a Country Doctor by John Berger
5.0
I’ve never read anything quite like this before; Berger’s style is simultaneously conversational and full of depth, and his essay structure is a joy. His observations are so astute and he elegantly verbalises concepts that I’ve thought about a lot but never been able to enunciate, particularly regarding the fraternal intimacy of medicine, the need to recognise patients, and the role of the doctor in suffering.
My main criticism would be of the sometimes male-centric approach and the occasional overly detailed descriptions of women’s bodies (ah the 60s).
A number of doctors have recommended this book to me, people who meet the book’s description of a “good doctor”, and like them I think it’s a book I’ll revisit a lot in my career.
My main criticism would be of the sometimes male-centric approach and the occasional overly detailed descriptions of women’s bodies (ah the 60s).
A number of doctors have recommended this book to me, people who meet the book’s description of a “good doctor”, and like them I think it’s a book I’ll revisit a lot in my career.