Q for those who've read THE HOUSE OF GOD

[docjolly]

Hi Everyone,

I am reading Samuel Shem's "The House of God," and I've come across some things in the book that trouble me...

In the last chapter that I read, Dr. Basch, Shem's alter ego, just injected KCl intravenously into Saul, a terminally ill cancer patient, to relieve his suffering.. For right now, he is the only one who knows of it, and is struggling with his own conscious about it...

I was told that the book is an account of Shem's own internship while in residency..

Is this confession about murdering a patient really true? I'm figuring that it would be silly for Shem to actually admit that he knowingly took a patient's life..if this is the case, then, is anything in this book actual truth?

(Disclaimer: Please don't bark at me for asking..I'm really not certain if this book is truth or fiction..)

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[Wardens]

Maybe that's one of the beaufiul results from writing the book that way. He can always deny it.

 

[TheFlash]

Hi Everyone,

I am reading Samuel Shem's "The House of God," and I've come across some things in the book that trouble me...

In the last chapter that I read, Dr. Basch, Shem's alter ego, just injected KCl intravenously into Saul, a terminally ill cancer patient, to relieve his suffering.. For right now, he is the only one who knows of it, and is struggling with his own conscious about it...

I was told that the book is an account of Shem's own internship while in residency..

Is this confession about murdering a patient really true? I'm figuring that it would be silly for Shem to actually admit that he knowingly took a patient's life..if this is the case, then, is anything in this book actual truth?

(Disclaimer: Please don't bark at me for asking..I'm really not certain if this book is truth or fiction..)

This book is available from the Fiction section of your bookstore. Fiction = not actual events, even if it's loosely based on reality.

 

[docjolly]

This book is available from the Fiction section of your bookstore. Fiction = not actual events, even if it's loosely based on reality.

Well,

It always tickes my heart to know that people are kind enough to respond to my questions in such a sweet, helpful manner..(and define words for me, as well!) thank you

 

[TheFlash]

Apparently you needed the help. You're welcome. That book is an obvious satire.

 

[docjolly]

Apparently you needed the help. You're welcome. That book is an obvious satire.

Well,

I did receive help from Mbess481..Your response was unnecessary and it really didn't address my concerns..But thank you for posting, nevertheless

 

[TheFlash]

Well,

I did receive help from Mbess481..Your response was unnecessary and it really didn't address my concerns..But thank you for posting, nevertheless

*sigh* You specifically say, "I'm not certain if this book is fact or fiction." I addressed that, didn't I? It's fiction. In the afterword, he even says that even though the book is a manifestation of his internship, it is by no means the truth. I mean, really. If you think he was having sex with nurses on a daily basis, "doing nothing" for seriously ill patients and winning the **MVI**, you need to get a brain check. Like I said, it might be loosely based in reality, but is Shem's personal satire of his internship year.

 

[docjolly]

For those of you, like Mbess481, who've read other Shem books, do you have any thoughts about the book? I'd appreciate your responses

 

[Premedtomed]

For those of you, like Mbess481, who've read other Shem books, do you have any thoughts about the book? I'd appreciate your responses

I read the book long time back, so i don't remember correctly. But, I think this could be the author's way of blurring reality and fiction (perhaps) -writers like to do that.

Other than that the book is a satire like Catch 22

May be he wants to say that this could happen/you may do it! Residency is terribly frustrating

Just enjoy it, I don't think he ever did something like this. It's just his imagination speaking

 

[Odaroloc]

I think a real interesting aspect is that during residency, thoughts about killing patients crossed his mind...not only to relieve their pain but his own as well. I loved HOG, and think it should be required reading, although some find it repulsive.

 

[thewebthsp]

Interesting...Shem is similar to HaShem which is Hebrew eponym for God...

Does that mean Steve Bergman is calling himself Sam God?

Heh.