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felicitydarke 's review for:
4.25 Stars!
Looking at my reading habits from last year, I realised that there was a distinct lack of non-fiction, and that I probably should really get on and try and read something out of my comfort zone. My immediate instinct was to choose this book, because I’d heard so many good things about it.
Did it live up to the hype?
Definitely. I honestly believe that this is a really important book for anyone (especially if you’re British) to read, because it highlights the everyday trials of our NHS staff, who are all too often taken for granted.
This could easily have been a drawn-out slog of a book, but it’s not. The thing that really makes it shine is Adam Kay’s writing and personality. Everything technical is explained in an uncomplicated and non-condescending way, and Kay’s sense of humour is thoroughly entertaining. I did go through a range of emotions reading it, I laughed aloud and/or cringed at some of the things that he’s seen (and sometimes felt bad for doing so, but I’m a terrible person), and I cried at some of the darkest parts. And there are dark parts, and one specific one towards the end, but there’s a trigger warning on that one that you can’t miss.
Even if you’re not usually one to read non-fiction, I highly recommend that you read this book. It’s accessible and funny and poignant, and I promise that you won’t regret picking it up.
Also, as the format of the book is diary entries, it’s a really good read for your commute, because you don’t feel like you’re stopping in the middle of the story when you have to reluctantly get off the train for work.
Overall: a funny, yet sometimes difficult story about the daily lives of the people who keep us healthy
Looking at my reading habits from last year, I realised that there was a distinct lack of non-fiction, and that I probably should really get on and try and read something out of my comfort zone. My immediate instinct was to choose this book, because I’d heard so many good things about it.
Did it live up to the hype?
Definitely. I honestly believe that this is a really important book for anyone (especially if you’re British) to read, because it highlights the everyday trials of our NHS staff, who are all too often taken for granted.
This could easily have been a drawn-out slog of a book, but it’s not. The thing that really makes it shine is Adam Kay’s writing and personality. Everything technical is explained in an uncomplicated and non-condescending way, and Kay’s sense of humour is thoroughly entertaining. I did go through a range of emotions reading it, I laughed aloud and/or cringed at some of the things that he’s seen (and sometimes felt bad for doing so, but I’m a terrible person), and I cried at some of the darkest parts. And there are dark parts, and one specific one towards the end, but there’s a trigger warning on that one that you can’t miss.
Even if you’re not usually one to read non-fiction, I highly recommend that you read this book. It’s accessible and funny and poignant, and I promise that you won’t regret picking it up.
Also, as the format of the book is diary entries, it’s a really good read for your commute, because you don’t feel like you’re stopping in the middle of the story when you have to reluctantly get off the train for work.
Overall: a funny, yet sometimes difficult story about the daily lives of the people who keep us healthy