Emily R. Transue

Transue started writing this as a series of emails to friends and family while doing her residency to explain what she was going through and why she occasionally had to go on an emotional walkabout and not be completely present for them. It's not so much about the mechanics of being in residency, although that is certainly a big part, but rather about the patients, their experiences, and her own reactions to them. What I really appreciated about her writing is that she seems completely honest about her emotions and reactions, not shying away from revealing feeling stupid or ignorant or overwhelmed or tired. It's a fairly quick read since each story is only a few pages, but it packs quite an emotional punch and I've come away with, if possible, an even higher respect for the difficulties of the medical profession than I had before.… (mere)

I like to read books about medicine....sort of the busman's holiday syndrome. I actually did not care for this book as much as the other reviewers. I think I felt it was really unbalanced. She sounds like she was overwhelmed and somewhat depressed throughout much of her residency. Almost all of her stories are about patients with a bad outcome. Having worked in a major teaching hospital environment, I just don't believe that the stories were representative. She seems more disconnected than most to what she was learning. It was very readable, with some good moments, but not going to be one of the books I save to read again.… (mere)