The House of God
By Samuel Shem & John Updike
- Release Date: 2010-09-07
- Genre: Fiction & Literature
Description
By turns heartbreaking, hilarious, and utterly human, The House of God is a mesmerizing and provocative novel about what it really takes to become a doctor.
“The raunchy, troubling, and hilarious novel that turned into a cult phenomenon. Singularly compelling…brutally honest.”—The New York Times
Struggling with grueling hours and sudden life-and-death responsibilities, Basch and his colleagues, under the leadership of their rule-breaking senior resident known only as the Fat Man, must learn not only how to be fine doctors but, eventually, good human beings.
A phenomenon ever since it was published, The House of God was the first unvarnished, unglorified, and uncensored portrait of what training to become a doctor is truly like, in all its terror, exhaustion and black comedy. With more than two million copies sold worldwide, it has been hailed as one of the most important medical novels ever written.
With an introduction by John Updike
Reviews
A good read, especially for doctors.
5By YosweetmamaThis is a brutal recounting of a year as a medical intern at a top notch hospital in the late 1970's. it examines man's inhumanity to man. Having been an intern at about the same time, I found it a fairly accurate depiction of what I experienced. It is fascinating, funny, and heartbreaking.Poignant
5By Arjuna's applesRead it.Awesome!
5By Kateisgreat918This book is amazing. I am a circulating nurse in the operating room. This book was recommended to me by a nurse anesthetist and I read it in less than a week. You won't be disappointed.Amazing
5By ewimanewiApplying to medical school now. Best book I've read in a while. I was crying at times, laughing heartily, and always stimulated. Recommend 100%MD oblivious
5By twhuffLoved the book, read it when it 1st came out. And MD, keep that attitude and you will find your career quite difficult.Astonishing
5By Clayreed30One of the best books I have ever read.The House of God
5By Lake0070I must be one of the last of my colleagues to read this book! I am a nurse practitioner and have spent most of my career in academic hospitals working with surgical residents. While I recognize the fiction in this book, I also appreciate the truth expressed about medical education and the "abc"s of residency - accuse, blame and criticize. The advice offered to doctors at the end of the book is priceless! That being said, this book had me laughing out loud about how we, the caregivers, learn and cope with caring for hospitalized patients! A must read for doctors and nurses alike!!!Amazing
4By Dexter2917A gross, in depth look at the crazy world of a medical intern. Very smart, funny, and educational. Tells you what really goes on in a internship.
