This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay
This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay – Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor. Before reading the book I was expecting to read something similar to Unnatural Causes by Richard Shepherd, a remarkable book written by a forensic pathologist. The only connection between the two books is that both authors were doctors.
He did raised some very valid points about the real life of a doctor, that include paying a lot on the hospital parking meter, spending a lot of time working, no beds for medical staff to have a rest on very long shifts.
Kay wrote the book as a list of entries from a diary. Some of which sound a bit overstretched. I also don’t agree with him on some aspects like his thoughts on private care. What he described actually happens in other countries too. I imagine this is the norm in all countries, don’t actually see a problem with this, as long as everybody is aware on what they pay for. I remember having a discussion with a friend about giving birth in a private clinic and she dismissed what I told her because I don’t have children. After a bit of research she told me that I was right and the procedures in the clinic are just as I told her they would be.
Kay wants to be funny, he is now a comedian. That approach makes him look uncaring and I don’t think that is the case, especially after reading the last chapter. But he swears a lot, don’t know why, and this is one of the reasons I gave it a lower rating. Another reason is that the book is not revealing some unexpected issues and nor it was serious enough to help me empathize with him.
This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay
Details about the picture: –
My rating: 3/5 Stars.
Would I recommend it: Yes
Published by: Picador
Year it was published: 2017
Format: Paperback
Genre(s): Memoir
Pages: 280
About the author: Adam Kay is a writer and comedian. He writes extensively for TV and film. His first book “This is Going to Hurt” is out now.
Website & Social Media Links: www.adamkay.co.uk
I’m torn with this one as I did enjoy parts of it but it felt so disjointed, rushed and repetitive at times. A lot of the humour felt forced and some of the stories felt so exagerrated it left me wondering if even half of it was true. It was a quick read and I did enjoy parts but meh, just wasn’t what I expected!
Sarah 🙂
Hmm, I’m not a fan of gratuitous swearing but that seems to be a trend among the comedians, they think they are funny because they can swear. It might be funny occasionally, but mostly tedious. I’m curious to discover that you didn’t rate this book highly. It’s been on my to-read list, as the ladies in our local book shop were were enthusiastic about it. Don’t think I’m going to buy it yet, if I come across it in the library, or if I see it in the charity shop, then I might read it.
I agree with you. For me, swearing is many times just a simpler way to say something that would be so much better said with a few more words.
I’ve got it from a charity shop, so it was a bargain. After reading the other one, Unnatural causes, where the Dr. there was so caring and emotionally involved, it was a bit of let down to see that a Dr. dealing with live people can make fun of some of them. The book is not terrible, I still recommend it, but it’s not amazing either.