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A review by lilyevangeline
My Own Country: A Doctor's Story by Abraham Verghese
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.