Memoir
I Can't Save You: A Memoir by Anthony Chin-Quee
Genre: memoir, medical, nonfiction
Publication: April 4, 2023; Riverhead Books
My comments:
I thought that Anthony Chin-Quee, a Black surgeon, wrote this revealing and honest memoir with distinct audiences in mind. The medical community, for one, starting with those at the very top who make and keep the policies that affect the wellbeing of the others - the doctors, medical students, would-be medical students, hospital staff, and the patients themselves.
Then there are the very personal parts in the memoir that tackle his relationships with others, whether while training and working as a surgeon, in his personal life or in the dysfunctional, multi-racial West Indian family in which he grew up.
I view the book as a wake up call to the medical community in how they train and treat their staff and what they expect that may be just too much - the long hours working without sleep that could endanger both patient and doctor, for instance. The writing is intense as the author describes in a brutally honest way what he had to face with his patients, with other doctors and staff members, in the operating room, and in the hospital while working dangerously long shifts. Granted, some of his descriptions have some humor, in a kind of way.
And the other wake up call is to the society at large, which continues, based on his experiences, to seriously undermine and underestimate people of color, and their abilities and potential.
This book is a must read also, as I see it, for would be doctors, or for those already in the middle of their profession. It's an eye opener for newbies that is frank and honest, even in its brutal, no holds barred descriptions.
At the end of the book, I was happy for the author that he found his true path, benefiting from his grueling and challenging training to do what he truly loves - writing and using his way with words, leaving behind a debilitating profession, a toxic family member, and forming his own perfect family.
I finished the book with more appreciation for my own doctors and specialists, realizing what they must have gone through, the gauntlets they have to run, to reach and stay where they are.
About the Author
Anthony Chin-Quee, M.D., is a board-certified otolaryngologist with degrees from Harvard University and Emory University School of Medicine. An award-winning storyteller with The Moth, he has been on the writing staff of FOX’s The Resident and a medical adviser for ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. --This text refers to the hardcover edition.
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Sounds like a very powerful and thought-provoking memoir. I could never be a doctor.
ReplyDeleteYou have to be pretty tough and can't empathize too much, I believe.
DeleteI've thought for a long time that it's crazy how we work these people in such long shifts. Especially since I've had experiences with the medical community lately due to my mom's appointments/ procedures, hearing nurses talk about the nursing shortage here, how many of them want to completely leave the profession...
ReplyDeleteIt's been pretty rough for the medical people these past several years.
DeleteThe strange thing is that the education of doctors has been criticized for the same reasons for something like 100 years. Too little sleep. Too much responsibility. A need to withdraw empathy. Numbness. All the problems never change. Book after book doesn't change anything.
ReplyDeletebest, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Sigh! I never pushed my son, who might have been interested, into studying medicine as I knew what he would have had to endure.
DeleteIt has only gotten worse in the last few years (the being overworked part). Great review!
ReplyDeleteCringe, cringe, at the last few years. Smiles and thanks for liking the review.
DeleteSome of them are not, but, oh well.
ReplyDeleteVery nice review! Personally I would like my doctor to be well-rested and happy at all times!
ReplyDeleteI guess private practice doctors?
DeleteThe awful conditions of doctors are due to our society's focus on money over all other values. It's horrifying to hear the conditions that doctors are forced to undergo. It's sad---no, more, it's tragic---that we do this.
ReplyDeleteSometimes the patients are horrific too, it seems from the book, in how they care or don't care for themselves!
DeleteThis book sounds fascinating. My son's life is a medical one, filled with doctors and nurses, and we have encountered both wonderful doctors and not so great.
ReplyDeleteThis definitely caught my attention - "in the hospital while working dangerously long shifts." My son recently had three surgeries - all three were necessary, but the third surgery was actually to correct a mistake that the surgeon had made, and I wonder if his mistake was due to working such the schedule that I am sure had been working.
I guess we can't make a conjecture without all the facts! And even then....
DeleteGreat review! This sounds like an interesting book.
ReplyDeletePassion and candor is what I say about the writing.
DeleteI love a medical memoir and this sounds really good. Unfortunately, none of my libraries have it. But I just listened to a sample on audible and loved it! The author narrates himself and I've just added it to my list. Bet I'll be using a credit soon... thanks for letting me know about this one.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your comments on the audio! Sounds fantastic.
DeleteThe medical system here certainly could use some improving.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart
We all agree!
DeleteOooh! This sounds like an interesting read! Great pick!
ReplyDeleteHere’s my Sunday Post
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Thanks for visiting, Ronyell
DeleteBeing in the medical field is difficult on any level. Sounds like an interesting read. Love your new background, Harvee!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rachel. Time for a change
DeleteSounds like a worthwhile read.
ReplyDeleteMary @Bookfan
sounds like an eye opener
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fabulous memoir. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds fascinating. It always boggles my mind the long hours medical professionals sometimes work. Especially the ER doctors and nurses.
ReplyDeleteThis book reminds of a couple of other titles written by doctors. Gabor Mate, in his most recent book discusses the trauma all interns deal with. I imagine it is much worse for Black, Indigenous and other people of colour. Vincent Lam won the Giller Prize for his first book. Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures. Their work shows us why there is a shortage of doctors.
ReplyDeleteI reviewed Vincent Lam's novel on Vietnam, where his family originated. As a doctor, he was a little nonplussed by my review and I think didn't expect my take on his book. (You never know what readers will get from a book). I gave his book a 5 and I did like it a lot.
DeleteThis certainly sounds interesting. So glad you shared it. Happy Reading!
ReplyDeleteNot my usual read but it sounds very interesting! Thanks for sharing, Harvee!
ReplyDelete