That's just about the best summary I've ever read.
I got through the book, but I was disappointed as well. I strongly suggest you read Mount Misery, it's Shem's "redemption" of his character from House of God. Shem spoke at an AMSA convention a while back and really left an impression on me. He's one of the "good guys," and he still "believes in healing medicine."
Interns, Residents, and friends on the other side, what do you think of Shem's novels?
FWIW, Mount Misery did not get the critical praise that the prior book did. I (and most readers) wouldn't put it on the same level. Just FYI "Samuel Shem" is a pen name -- there is no such person with that name.
You guys seem to have issue with the fact that the guy didn't sum up his point in one paragraph, rather than craft a book that millions enjoyed. I think you need to stick with authors you are comfortable with, because you apparently don't "get" this style of writing, which has been revered by many generations of American readers. That you don't care for it is fine -- you are free to read whatever you like. But don't delude yourself into thinking that the author is "committing literature" or "encoding fiction" on you like that is some crime. This isn't a text book. It's a story, encompassing a period of the author's life in the depths of internship. If you really think a book that merely says, "internship sucks, you become jaded, the end" is better than a strongly written novel with a healthy dose of reality mixed in, then I'm sorry but you simply aren't a very sophisticated reader.
It's troubling that you feel that the author was trying to "impose literature on you" as if he's sneaking something in, or "encoding fiction" as one of you called it. Don't think of literature as a bad thing. It's what all writers should be striving for, and generally are striving for. If you are not writing literature, you are writing garbage. The goal of all writers is to be the next Hemingway, Dickens, Fitzgerald, not to merely get a point across. You simply are looking for a take-home message rather than enjoying a novel. Which is unfortunate -- the take-home message is only a tiny tiny fraction of any novel, and generally not the critical part. Most people read for the enjoyment of it, not to get the message. Good writing is 95% entertainment, 5% message. If you flip the percentages you get a textbook, not something you read for enjoyment, and not something that ever will grace the bestseller list. Don't read a novel trying to figure out the message, read a novel because it's a good read (as this one is). You will enjoy reading a whole lot more if you take this approach.
Your analysis is sort of like tuning in Jerry Springer at the end for his wrap up message, rather than watch the trainwreck that is his show. Or looking up the box scores of a sporting event rather than watching the game, because you just want the conclusion, not the entertainment -- if you go through life doing that, you miss the best part. Don't look at literature as a negative -- it's the
goal. If you don't like "literature", you probably shouldn't be commenting on what's a good book, because honestly "literature" is the gold standard in writing. If you feel the author has achieved "
literature" you are praising his work as having reached the pinnacle of his art form. Basically if you call the work literature it is a kin to calling it literary genius. So it's kind of humorous that you throw around that word like it's an insult and that he's trying to sneak something by you.
I don't know who told you to read House of God for the message, or as if it's a textbook on internship. I think your approach to that book probably tainted your ability to enjoy it. It is a novel, with a lot of reality mixed in. It isn't about the message, it's about a year in the author's and others lives. It's a good read, nothing more. Don't read it for the encoded message. Read it because you like to read and this is a fascinating story, well written, revered by many, about a topic that you probably should find interesting. If you read it for any other purpose, you miss the boat (as some posters in this thread clearly have). FWIW, you may enjoy it more after internship -- it's a better read once you can relate to the experiences. But don't kid yourself into thinking this is a "bad book" because some of you guys approached it oddly.
Best of luck.
