
A taut, intense tale of the dashed hopes of the post-apartheid era and the small betrayals that doom a friendship, "The Good Doctor" is an extraordinary parable of the corruption of the flesh and spirit.
Publisher:
Toronto : McClelland & Stewart, 2004.
ISBN:
9780802117649
9780771032738
0771032730
9780771032738
0771032730
Characteristics:
215 p. ;,22 cm.


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Add a CommentYou won’t really know where or when you are, or what exactly is happening in Galgut’s weirdly haunting parable. Somewhere in post-apartheid South Africa, in a decrepit ghost hospital that no longer functions as much more than a place of grinding resignation for a few medical workers, a new, young doctor arrives. Laurence tackles his desire for change and renewal with a remorseless energy while Frank, a long-time resident doctor at the hospital, is listlessly resigned to the irrelevance of his life. Laurence’s actions disturb the fine balance of the others’ lives where inaction and cynicism have coexisted. And in the end, don’t expect to understand who the ‘good’ doctor is.
The Good Doctor I would not classify as a "good" book. Do not pick this book if you want a stressfree experience.
The Good Doctor develops 2 very annoying characters, is vague, difficult to deal with situations. Like the hospital in the setting, and the main character Frank, this book floats along with little ambition, and at the end there is no closure. Interesting, but not my type of novel. Apparently, this novel is nominated for the Booker for this very reason.