REVIEW: THE SOCIETY by MICHAEL PALMER
Some time late last year, December to be precise, I stumbled upon this book. I had seen it two months earlier at a rather inopportune time to read it. So, I flipped through the pages, read the opinions others had about the book—those that usually lie within the first pages of the book. TBH, I picked the book to chase sleep away, it worked. That was how I began to read “THE SOCIETY” by MICHAEL PALMER. As it usually goes,let me give you an overview of the book.
OVERVIEW
THE SOCIETY revolves essentially around the health/medical sector of the USA. It is set mainly in Boston, copyrighted 2004. There's Doctor Will Grant, a surgeon and father of two who misses the days of “raw” medical practice. Days when patients could get the attention that was required as soon as needed without the doctor having to go through and sign so much paperwork. Or go back and forth with the HMOs (Health Management Organizations) in order to broker “fair deals”. Days when patients could stay in the hospitals for as long as necessary for their total recovery after operations or treatment.
There's a killer, murdering top shots in the managed care sector, leaving alphabets behind whenever any of the killings were done. It was believed that the killer had been crossed by an HMO, probably lost a dear person. Aside being A surgeon, Will was also a member of the Hippocrates Society, expressing quite vocally his displeasure and dissatisfaction with the HMOs and their modes of operation. His vocal nature however became his downfall as he ended up being roped into the murder case and thought to be a suspect. His violent antecedent doesn't make things any better.
A phone call sets Will's life on a whole new trajectory. Somewhere along the line, he's found to have overdosed on a P
painkiller when he had an operation at hand. His license was suspended, he had legal charges against him courtesy of the patient he was to attend to at the time of the overdose. His kids were being outcast as their father was in the news for something not so good.
There's Patty Moriarty, a detective on the HMO murder cases and an equally good one. She is overseen by a couple of sexist cops (Court And Brasco) who leave her in the background of the investigation and try as much as possible to get her off the case. They eventually succeeded, she however carried on with the investigation on her own. The society is a mix of mystery, romance and thriller. It would ne very relatable by Med Students.
I think I have said just about enough. *Gasps*
THE SOCIETY revolves essentially around the health/medical sector of the USA. It is set mainly in Boston, copyrighted 2004. There's Doctor Will Grant, a surgeon and father of two who misses the days of “raw” medical practice. Days when patients could get the attention that was required as soon as needed without the doctor having to go through and sign so much paperwork. Or go back and forth with the HMOs (Health Management Organizations) in order to broker “fair deals”. Days when patients could stay in the hospitals for as long as necessary for their total recovery after operations or treatment.
There's a killer, murdering top shots in the managed care sector, leaving alphabets behind whenever any of the killings were done. It was believed that the killer had been crossed by an HMO, probably lost a dear person. Aside being A surgeon, Will was also a member of the Hippocrates Society, expressing quite vocally his displeasure and dissatisfaction with the HMOs and their modes of operation. His vocal nature however became his downfall as he ended up being roped into the murder case and thought to be a suspect. His violent antecedent doesn't make things any better.
A phone call sets Will's life on a whole new trajectory. Somewhere along the line, he's found to have overdosed on a P
painkiller when he had an operation at hand. His license was suspended, he had legal charges against him courtesy of the patient he was to attend to at the time of the overdose. His kids were being outcast as their father was in the news for something not so good.
There's Patty Moriarty, a detective on the HMO murder cases and an equally good one. She is overseen by a couple of sexist cops (Court And Brasco) who leave her in the background of the investigation and try as much as possible to get her off the case. They eventually succeeded, she however carried on with the investigation on her own. The society is a mix of mystery, romance and thriller. It would ne very relatable by Med Students.
I think I have said just about enough. *Gasps*
My Thoughts
It was quite interesting a read and a descriptive one too. The storyline was not farfetched, this is something that vould and likely does happen in reality. I applaud Palmer's subtle but still scary portrayal of cancer via a patient's experience at a cancer center. The medical aspect of the book was very, very explicit and tangible too (even if I say so myself). From events in the OR (Operating Room) and change room to the Doctor-patient dialogues and general hospital conversations. That's really no surprise, given that the Author has real-time experience (he is in the practice, at that time at least). I didn't like the rate at which the story built up though. It was rather slow. It didn't become gripping/engrossing until about the 20th Chapter—out of 35. It took me a week to finish it including skipped days. There were suspenseful moments and unexpected turn of events, making the story all the more interesting. There are some bloody/gory/nauseating scenes in the book too, just so you know. I also appreciate his use of the not so major characters to add life, light and a dash of humour to the plot. From Augie, Beano, Gordo, Watkins to Ol' Lionel. Aside the rate of plot's build up, it was not too bad a read.
I rate it at a 7—out of 10.
It was quite interesting a read and a descriptive one too. The storyline was not farfetched, this is something that vould and likely does happen in reality. I applaud Palmer's subtle but still scary portrayal of cancer via a patient's experience at a cancer center. The medical aspect of the book was very, very explicit and tangible too (even if I say so myself). From events in the OR (Operating Room) and change room to the Doctor-patient dialogues and general hospital conversations. That's really no surprise, given that the Author has real-time experience (he is in the practice, at that time at least). I didn't like the rate at which the story built up though. It was rather slow. It didn't become gripping/engrossing until about the 20th Chapter—out of 35. It took me a week to finish it including skipped days. There were suspenseful moments and unexpected turn of events, making the story all the more interesting. There are some bloody/gory/nauseating scenes in the book too, just so you know. I also appreciate his use of the not so major characters to add life, light and a dash of humour to the plot. From Augie, Beano, Gordo, Watkins to Ol' Lionel. Aside the rate of plot's build up, it was not too bad a read.
I rate it at a 7—out of 10.
On a lighter note: This book led me to two rediscoveries;
1) I could never have a career as a doctor. An OR scene made me queasy *Lol*
2) The enemy probably dines with you and pretends to care when you are in trouble.
And on that note, I end this review.
1) I could never have a career as a doctor. An OR scene made me queasy *Lol*
2) The enemy probably dines with you and pretends to care when you are in trouble.
And on that note, I end this review.
'Mina.
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