Product Description

Richard Gordon's acceptance into St Swithan's medical school came as no surprise to anyone, least of all him - after all, he had been to public school, played first XV rugby, and his father was, let's face it, 'a St Swithan's man'. Surely he was set for life. It was rather a shock then to discover that, once there, he would actually have to work, and quite hard. Fortunately for Richard Gordon, life proved not to be all dissection and textbooks after all...This hilarious hospital comedy is perfect reading for anyone who's ever wondered exactly what medical students get up to in their training. Just don't read it on your way to the doctor's!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #138471 in Books
• Published on: 2001-06-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 156 pages

Review
'Uproarious, extremely iconoclastic' - Evening News 'A delightful book' - Sunday Times

About the Author
Richard Gordon is best-known for his hilarious 'Doctor' books and the long-running television series they inspired. Himself a qualified doctor, he worked as an anaesthetist, ship's surgeon and then as assistant editor of the British Medical Journal before leaving medical practice in 1952 to take up writing full time. Many of his books are based on these experiences in the medical profession and are all told with the rye wit and candid humour that have become his hallmark.

Customer Reviews

A classic comedy.
The success of "Doctor In The House" spun-off not only into long running film and television series, but also even led to radio and stage adaptations. In the light of this, it's not surprising that the original novel sometimes gets forgotten. This neglect is a bit unfair, as, divorced from the spin-off's, Gordon's novel remains a classic in its own right.

I first came across Richard Gordon's "Doctor" books as a boy in the 'eighties, re-reading them this year became a very nostalgic experience. Fans of the movie might be surprised that the main character is not Simon Sparrow, but one "Richard Gordon", but aside from this, the supporting cast is familiar from the films, Grimsdyke and Sir Lancelot Spratt are all present and correct (though the book suggests a sad fate for Spratt which thankfully Gordon later had second thoughts about) and it's impossible to read about them without picturing Kenneth More and James Robertson Justice in your mind.

There is no plot as such, instead the narrative is constructed of autobiographical anecdotes and experiences of (presumably as this was published in 1952) pre-war medical school. A genuinely funny book which in the last fifty or so years has almost become a social document.

Extremely witty while packed with knowledge
This wonderful book by Dr. Richard Gordon is extremely amusing at the same time though it gives one an insight into what really goes on at medical school. Although the area and the name of the shool is fictional it is based on Richard Gordon's experiences and it makes us realise just how much hard work and training goes into a medical career. This is a must read book which I recomend to all and don't worry about any medical jargon because it's extremely straightforward.

Peter McCann

'Prospect' for a similar read
I've always enjoyed the 'Doctor' books by Richard Gordon. They're classic comedy, with well drawn characters and comic situations.

If you enjoyed them too, try 'Pets in Prospect' by new author Malcolm D. Welshman. His style is not dissimilar to Gordon's although they are set in a veterinary rather than human surgery.