Eva Marie L. (babyjulie) - , reviewed on 5/12/2010 + 336 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 3

(from my goodreads.com page)....
Okay, this may get detailed. This is the type of book that I should have slowly been commenting on while reading, unfortunately I've been busy the past few days and haven't been on-line enough to do that. :(
I'll first say that I think Holland takes the whole 'medicate everyone' thing far too seriously. I guess someone in her profession has to but she seems a little overboard with it if you ask me. Something else that goes along with that, I don't agree that everything has to have some underlying reason. Holland seems to think that if such and such happens it's because of something in the persons childhood. Sure, a lot of times that's completely true, but not all the time. I think she might do herself justice by easing off a bit in that arena but then again, I'm sure she doesn't want my opinion.
Next, I want to say something to the people who may read this who haven't read the book yet but are wondering if they should because of the negative reviews they've read. You may very well not like Holland (I did) or the book (I did) BUT..... for the most part, I think that maybe the reviews I've seen here haven't been all the way honest. They're actually based in fear IMO. Allow me to explain:
No one wants to know that a doctor is human. No one wants to know that a doctor has gotten high in the past. No one wants to know they may treat a patient in an unproffessional way. Who wants to know that a doctor has sex in their call-room on shift?! No one! But.... I challenge anyone out there to find me another doctor who would admit their faults like Holland does here. I suspect no one can. The honesty emanates from this book loudly. LOUDLY.
Holland mentions situations where she could have been a much better doctor. She tells of talking to her psychiatrist and trying to overcome the need to be a certain way, to be a better person and doctor. I don't know about everyone else but I have yet to see or hear any doctor yelling out their shortcomings. I was literally shocked at some of what she admitted. But you know what? I'd rather have the truth, as frightening as it may be, than a lie that makes me feel better.
Doctors are human just like us. They have bad days, they have things to deall with also. Becoming a doctor takes none of that away. Fears don't magically remove themselves from your psyche when you get your degree.
I'd be pleased to have a doctor like Holland and I'll tell you why - because I know I wouldn't get any bullshit from her. I'd get the truth.
Yes, I think she turns to medication too easily. (Sadly, from what I've seen most do.) Yes I think she needs to try to turn off the psychiatrist in her and try to realize something, just sometimes, things happen just because. But overall, this book is a very honest account of what any doctor might have to deal with. It's not spectalar writing - did anyone assume it would be going in? I didn't. But it's not bad writing my any means. She's very likable IMO which made it a lot more fun to read and understand her life.
I loved the peppered in bits about the patients, however sad most were. Here's my advice if anyone wants it - read it yourself. The negative reviews (I suspect) are coming from fear. From scared people who didn't want to hear about a doctor being human and doing human things. Understandable in a way. But don't let that turn you away from this book - it has a decent message and if you're interested in medicine, this profession, Bellevue itself, plain old memoirs, etc. give it a try.
There are few books I'll pay full price for and this is one of them. I bought it on a whim and don't regret it. I wish Dr. Holland the best of luck with her private practice and everything else. She most certainly deserves it

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