The Good Doctor was an entertaining book with fascinating lessons from the experiences of the titular character. It was a story of hope and misery, love and rejection, political success and defeat in the shifting reality of the post-apartheid South African steppes. The well wrought narrative is fleshed out in sparse prose.

The newly hired, spotless, idealistic doctor, Laurence Waters, is greeted by Frank Eloff, a burned-out spouse, doctor, and person, on his first day on staff. They reside in two different psychic realms despite sharing a subpar bedroom and doing medical duties in an understaffed clinic that the new political administration ignored. Frank's pessimistic evaluation of Laurence is that "he won't endure." Their story and the denouement held my interest throughout the novel. ( )

Short intense book well written but not joyful or fun. Difficult to read as there are few characters to love and South African books can be difficult ( )

Dark but exceptionally well-written, the author pulls you into a very complex character whose actions have dire consequences for many. ( )

I could only diminish the impact of this book by describing it. Suffice to say one English reviewer said it should have won the Booker - it was merely shortlisted alongside Oryx and Crake - and whilst I have not read the winner of that year, it must be a darn good book.

Rest here:

http://alittleteaalittlechat.wordpress.com/2014/04/20/the-good-doctor-by-damon-g... ( )

I could only diminish the impact of this book by describing it. Suffice to say one English reviewer said it should have won the Booker - it was merely shortlisted alongside Oryx and Crake - and whilst I have not read the winner of that year, it must be a darn good book.

Rest here:

http://alittleteaalittlechat.wordpress.com/2014/04/20/the-good-doctor-by-damon-g... ( )