And Finally: Matters of Life and Death by Henry Marsh

Publication date: January 17, 2023

Matters of Life and Death

St Martins Press

(9/1/22 first published)

NetGalley

Nonfiction, digital, audio

240 pages

3.5/5

5/23/23-5/25/23

I initially found this book interesting but then developed some reservations while looking into it's publication history. Honestly, I don't know much about publishing a book but I can only speculate as to why this book keeps getting republished except perhaps it seems the first publication 9/1/2022 was by a small publisher. But, this is his third book and looks like it was reprinted Jan 2024 again in paperback. This confused me until I noticed that he has a few published sci-fi type novellas and another attempt in 2020. Although I haven't read the other books and only reviews, I can guess that this book is most likely his most personal and heart-felt one. As it appears his other biographical medical books focused on his career as a neurosurgeon and then reflections on his journey to medicine. I think his personal experiences resonated better than his attempts with non-fiction. Since he retired as a neurosurgeon, he had spent time travelling and working pro bono in Ukraine and Nepal which I am sure provided a rewarding experience for him. 

This book focuses on how the doctor becomes a patient himself with advanced stage prostate cancer. In general, most medical professionals make the worst patients and I can make this declaration as a medical professional myself. There always a struggle with the vulnerability of being the patient after years of helping others. It's easier to see the struggles in others probably more so to avoid acknowledging our own issues. 

I understand Dr Marsh's mindset of thinking like a doctor after retirement and then as a patient. It's not just an occupation but a part of your identity. I don't think it necessary for me to read his other books to understand that this one is deeply reflective on his unique and unexpected position in life as a cancer patient. There are many advances in medicine over the years and being a patient allows a perspective that one might not otherwise imagine. Denial is a powerful coping mechanism which ultimately fails us in the end. Although, I found his writing to be overanalytical I respect his dedication and need to share his life experience. I have read many books about the transformation that can occur when a doctor, particularly a surgeon, becomes a cancer patient. There is a tremendous amount of humility knowing that we all share the same destiny.  

I know my review is rather critical but I did say that medical professionals make the worst patients as well as critical thinkers.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for allowing me access to this digital book for review. I provide an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are expressly my own.

--------------------------

A Voyage to Babylon (2013) novella

Do No Harm: Stories of Life, Death and Brain Surgery (2014)

Admissions: Life as a Brain Surgeon (2017)

Under Winter Skies: The Last Journey of the Great Marquis (2017) novella

Pandemonium (2020) 

https://bookwormreviewblog.blogspot.com/2023/02/january-2023-new-releases.html