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A review by jainandsdiary
The Other Side : Poems about medicine and the maladies that plague it by Swapnil Paralikar, Swapnil Paralikar
3.0
The Other Side is a collection of 'Poems about medicine and the maladies that plague it' by Swapnil Paralikar, a doctor-medical teacher-poet. This collection consists of 56 poems, divided into four sections - Medicine, Mind, Pandemic and Metaphors. Each part, as the name suggests, emphasizes the emotions and circumstances attached to it.
Paralikar very craftily showcased the life of medical professionals from the time they decided to enter into the field - the student and the hostel life being an important part of it. There was a special emphasis on mental health and mental disorders, and it translates very well through the words.
There were some poems with which I felt very connected with. 'During The Blues' was one such poem where the poet talked about how in difficult circumstances, all we need is a hand to hold and when it lacks, it changes everything. The lines from the poem depict it beautifully -
"I had the blues
as I waged a lonely battle.
And when I emerged a bruised victor,
I wondered whether I deserved to suffer.
While my buddies, they turned a blind eye;
I wish I'd had them by my side."
However, at some points, I felt a little disconnected from the poems and would have appreciated them more if emotions were more translated into words. The explanations about the poetry form and structures in between at some places also hinder the experience and could have been done without them.
Overall, it's a good collection to see things from the lens of a doctor. So if you are someone who is looking forward to this experience, this book would help you.
Paralikar very craftily showcased the life of medical professionals from the time they decided to enter into the field - the student and the hostel life being an important part of it. There was a special emphasis on mental health and mental disorders, and it translates very well through the words.
There were some poems with which I felt very connected with. 'During The Blues' was one such poem where the poet talked about how in difficult circumstances, all we need is a hand to hold and when it lacks, it changes everything. The lines from the poem depict it beautifully -
"I had the blues
as I waged a lonely battle.
And when I emerged a bruised victor,
I wondered whether I deserved to suffer.
While my buddies, they turned a blind eye;
I wish I'd had them by my side."
However, at some points, I felt a little disconnected from the poems and would have appreciated them more if emotions were more translated into words. The explanations about the poetry form and structures in between at some places also hinder the experience and could have been done without them.
Overall, it's a good collection to see things from the lens of a doctor. So if you are someone who is looking forward to this experience, this book would help you.