What do you think?
Rate this book
Do No Harm
Everyone knows about about her stellar reputation as a gynaecologist; about her commitment to her women patients. But does anyone know about the knives? Everyone knows about Faisal about his gentle charm and his delight in his family; about his brilliance in the operating theatre. But does anyone know he's a traitor? And Gilda - everyone knows about knows that she never poops a party; that she struts about town with her cackling posse; that she's a loyal friend. But does anyone know about the rubber? But there's someone who really does know Virginia, who knows all about her because they've been this close from birth. Someone who knows what she does when they're alone together. What they do with the rosewood box. With the belts. Who knows that good doctors can go bad. Just as she did in Monster Love, her brilliant debut about a horrible crime in a harmless setting, Carol Topolski goes behind the busy routine of a hospital to build a dark, compelling portrait of a good, upright life going horribly wrong...
326 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2011
5 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
Carol Topolski
3 books18 followersCarol Topolski is a British psychoanalytic psychotherapist. Her many previous roles include working on the Woodstock festival, in advertising, and as a prison teacher, nursery-school director, director of a rape crisis centre and refuge for battered women, probation officer and film censor. She lives in London and is married with two daughters and two grandchildren.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 6, 2011
A compelling and intriguing story, but a little too leisurely in its execution. (A common fault in most modern literary fiction I feel). Readers attracted by the blurb, as I was, may be disappointed to find that the narrative drive only really gets going well beyond the halfway point, after pages and pages of very well-written but ultimately superfluous character background and scene-setting. We are introduced, often in considerable detail, to characters or events which serve no real purpose within the story, and while this allows us to admire Topolski's undoubted skill and imagination, I found it immensely distracting as a reader. Also I kept tripping over multiple anachronisms in the period setting. Perhaps I'm being pedantic but I found this evocation of the 1940s and the 1970s, the two eras in which the book is set, far from convincing. Perhaps the most significant stumbling point is the fact that surgical laparoscopy - a key element in the book's denouement - was almost unheard of in ordinary British hospitals until well into the 1980s. But there are many other such niggling inconsistences, each one a comparatively minor detail, but with an annoying habit of getting in the way of suspension of disbelief in the story.
January 17, 2012
Carol Topolski’s first novel was called Monster Love. It was extraordinary. Dark. Disturbing. Flawed. But still extraordinary.
And so when I saw Do No Harm, her second novel I was torn. I was intrigued, but I was also a little scared.
In the end, of course, I had to pick it up. I found a very different book, but those four words still applied.
Dark. Disturbing. Flawed. Extraordinary.
Do No Harm is the story of a doctor.
Virginia Denham is a doctor at the very top of her profession: she is a consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology in a big London hospital.
Her patients were reassured by her interest and understanding, and by her professionalism.
Her colleagues and her staff were equally impressed by her professionalism, and by her intelligence and skill.
But she had a secret life, and she guarded her privacy ferociously.
A stunning opening chapter revealed a model professional, and a deeply flawed and disturbed woman. An accident waiting to happen.
The chapters that followed moved backwards and forwards through time to build a detailed picture of Virginia’s difficult life.
She was an extraordinary character: complex and frighteningly real.
I wanted to understand that character, to know what made her, and the suspense was palpable.
In the end something did go wrong. And it was devastating.
I’m deliberately holding back details.
Because this is a novel driven by characters rather than plot. And to tell any more than I have would, I think, be telling too much.
A disturbing story of a consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology is not for everyone, and I half wished that I hadn’t picked it up.
The writing, the characterisation, the suspense – so much in this book was brilliant. I had to keep reading; I had to know.
I just felt that the balance was a little off: the balance of plot and character.
A flaw, but not a fatal flaw.
Because I really can’t think of another author who deals with such difficult subject matter with such insight and intelligence.
And now I am torn between pushing such dark books away and wondering what Carol Topolski will write next …
And so when I saw Do No Harm, her second novel I was torn. I was intrigued, but I was also a little scared.
In the end, of course, I had to pick it up. I found a very different book, but those four words still applied.
Dark. Disturbing. Flawed. Extraordinary.
Do No Harm is the story of a doctor.
Virginia Denham is a doctor at the very top of her profession: she is a consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology in a big London hospital.
Her patients were reassured by her interest and understanding, and by her professionalism.
Her colleagues and her staff were equally impressed by her professionalism, and by her intelligence and skill.
But she had a secret life, and she guarded her privacy ferociously.
A stunning opening chapter revealed a model professional, and a deeply flawed and disturbed woman. An accident waiting to happen.
The chapters that followed moved backwards and forwards through time to build a detailed picture of Virginia’s difficult life.
She was an extraordinary character: complex and frighteningly real.
I wanted to understand that character, to know what made her, and the suspense was palpable.
In the end something did go wrong. And it was devastating.
I’m deliberately holding back details.
Because this is a novel driven by characters rather than plot. And to tell any more than I have would, I think, be telling too much.
A disturbing story of a consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology is not for everyone, and I half wished that I hadn’t picked it up.
The writing, the characterisation, the suspense – so much in this book was brilliant. I had to keep reading; I had to know.
I just felt that the balance was a little off: the balance of plot and character.
A flaw, but not a fatal flaw.
Because I really can’t think of another author who deals with such difficult subject matter with such insight and intelligence.
And now I am torn between pushing such dark books away and wondering what Carol Topolski will write next …
February 13, 2011
Darkly funny, incredibly detailed portrayal of insanity. The character Virginia is a literary triumph. My only gripe(s) with this book are firstly the way the story kept jumping back and forth in time and between various characters who are drawn into Virginia's orbit. Early on this was quite confusing. And then there's the implied reason for Virginia's madness: I don't feel her emotionally vacant mother is just cause. However, it's possible a person can be born with madness rather than made, so I can ignore this. Despite these qualms, the story and stories within stories, are so gripping I read every word. Highly recommended.
April 29, 2012
Having not read Topolskis first novel Monster Love, I had no expectations.
I like a good page turner though, and that's what the blurb on the back promised.
No such luck unfortunately.
I had to wade through the long, drawn out first half of the book.
A very, very slow build up to the actual story.
It gathers up some speed towards the end, but the end is predictable and disappointing.
A few medical mistakes, a woman heavily in labour in the third stage springs to mind, think she means first stage!
And were we really that heavily into food from the delicatessen shop and real coffee in the 70's??
It tried to draw me in, and I really tried cause I like the concepts she used, but it failed, which is a real shame.
September 29, 2017
Carol Topolski is a fabulous writer. A clear 5 stars early on- almost didn't matter where the story went. In fact, it didn't matter. Her style makes me hungry for more.
Nothing is overdone. It's stated. She gives us time to mull over but doesn't bombard us.
Characters are complex, well developed and linked intelligently. If this were on audio and your mind drifted you could miss a vital point. Read it leisurely. Wallow in the language. Escape the dumbed down era and be grateful Carol Topolski is writing damn fine books.
Nothing is overdone. It's stated. She gives us time to mull over but doesn't bombard us.
Characters are complex, well developed and linked intelligently. If this were on audio and your mind drifted you could miss a vital point. Read it leisurely. Wallow in the language. Escape the dumbed down era and be grateful Carol Topolski is writing damn fine books.
October 17, 2014
This book has a great story line with solid, engaging character development. An unusual beginning but everything slots in to place quite quickly. The idea behind the story was original and led to a gripping plot. The ending was paced well and the style and language were that of an accomplished writer. Would definitely read more by this author.Very enjoyable.
June 22, 2013
Virginia is an excellent gynaecologist but has a dark past which affects her interrelationships. Her past comes back to haunt her when she discovers her mother's secret, a discovery that tips her over the edge. Thrilling read with lots of elements, including medical harm, S&M and self-harming.
October 26, 2015
Really difficult to read. So much jumping backwards and forwards in between characters and dates with no real indication or marking of what's what.
June 11, 2014
Creepy, dark and clever.
June 2, 2017
I find this author's ability to explore the complexities of human nature fascinating. Unlike some other reviewers, I found very little of the forays into the characters histories irrelevant. This is a book about the co-existing "good" & "evil" that exists in all of us, it looks at how extreme those two forces can effect behaviour and the greater consequences of a person's actions temporally, for a community & individuals. I think it's also a book about the impact of parental dedication, a book about the changing needs of growing human beings, about self indulgence and about the human need for being a part of something whether it be family, a community, a work force or even rituals.
October 31, 2025
I didn’t love this. I was confused by the imaginary friend character and also by the whole Jeckell and Hyde nature of the protagonist. Why would someone as dedicated to saving women’s lives and reproduction do these random terrible things to random patients? It just didn’t make sense. There wasn’t a particular type of person she destroyed, just when she felt like it. And the masochism just didn’t ring true
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2018
Well, kept thinking that 'this isn't my kind of book' but persisted to the end. Found it to be very disjointed and I had to keep going back to check what year we were in and concentrate on who I thought the current person was. I did work out how this book was going to end but this definitely isn't my kind of book at all - not something I'd follow up with.
June 27, 2022
A book that lies heavy on the heart and leaves a sadness. It’s a tale of emptiness and thwarted connection. I was drawn to the description of Gilda’s failure to bond with her baby which is a taboo that isn’t often aired. I often felt like I was reading a book for English Lit O level or a book club, as if it was written specifically to be dissected.
August 19, 2012
I spotted this book in Kinokuniya one Saturday morning, complete with a sticker that said, ‘If you like Sophie Hannah’ (I do – a lot), ‘you’ll love Carol Topolski’. Generally I am somewhat suspicious of these stickers, but my holiday must have relaxed me so I turned to the back cover to read what it was about. It appeared to be about three doctors – Virginia, who has a secret about knives; Faisal, who has been a traitor to someone else and Gilda, who sounds fun-loving but has a secret involving rubber. (Particularly intrigued about this last one, as even Fifty Shades of Grey didn’t get kinky and secretive with rubber).
Again, maybe it was the lazy mood of vacationing, but this book is quite different to what I thought. Virginia is a highly renowned surgeon and Faisal has managed to get a job in her ‘firm’ (or ‘team’ as we call it down here) as a senior registrar (more senior doctor). Gilda is a beautician who becomes a friend of Virginia’s after collapsing on the street. The last two characters are more minor in comparison to Virginia. We travel back and forth between time periods relating to Virginia’s youth (World War II, her mother having an affair) before returning to the present day. We also meet Ruby, Virginia’s companion.
I don’t credit myself as being a sleuth, but I worked out very quickly who Ruby was and what her role was. It made the finale less shocking for me as I’d guessed that Ruby would start expressing her opinions more. I would have liked more about Faisal and his guilt at leaving his country in addition to how he ‘dobbed in’ the guilty person. I’m not entirely sure why Gilda was mentioned on the back cover, as she’s a much more minor character. She does have a small role in trying to bring Virginia out and accept herself and an interesting back story.
The narrative also jumps around between past and present and different characters. Occasionally it can be difficult to remember where each person was at when we met them last and I think some of the tension is lost. Towards the end, the book does become more of a thriller as the pieces are joined together but it’s somewhat slow going at the start. Each piece is interesting (a whole book could be written on Virginia’s mother!) and well written but occasionally I was left unsatisfied.
I believe that Topolski’s first novel, Monster Love, is very highly regarded. I know that I can be sometimes critical of medical stories (although I didn’t find any fault with the medicine in this book – well done on great researcher) so I think I’ll try this novel before saying this author is not for me.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
Again, maybe it was the lazy mood of vacationing, but this book is quite different to what I thought. Virginia is a highly renowned surgeon and Faisal has managed to get a job in her ‘firm’ (or ‘team’ as we call it down here) as a senior registrar (more senior doctor). Gilda is a beautician who becomes a friend of Virginia’s after collapsing on the street. The last two characters are more minor in comparison to Virginia. We travel back and forth between time periods relating to Virginia’s youth (World War II, her mother having an affair) before returning to the present day. We also meet Ruby, Virginia’s companion.
I don’t credit myself as being a sleuth, but I worked out very quickly who Ruby was and what her role was. It made the finale less shocking for me as I’d guessed that Ruby would start expressing her opinions more. I would have liked more about Faisal and his guilt at leaving his country in addition to how he ‘dobbed in’ the guilty person. I’m not entirely sure why Gilda was mentioned on the back cover, as she’s a much more minor character. She does have a small role in trying to bring Virginia out and accept herself and an interesting back story.
The narrative also jumps around between past and present and different characters. Occasionally it can be difficult to remember where each person was at when we met them last and I think some of the tension is lost. Towards the end, the book does become more of a thriller as the pieces are joined together but it’s somewhat slow going at the start. Each piece is interesting (a whole book could be written on Virginia’s mother!) and well written but occasionally I was left unsatisfied.
I believe that Topolski’s first novel, Monster Love, is very highly regarded. I know that I can be sometimes critical of medical stories (although I didn’t find any fault with the medicine in this book – well done on great researcher) so I think I’ll try this novel before saying this author is not for me.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
April 18, 2018
Do no harm, de Carol Topolski, é um dos livros mais estranhos que tenho lido nos últimos tempos. Comprei-o pela capa (again...) mas também porque teria algo a ver com We need to talk about Kevin.
Todo o livro se desenrola em torno de Virginia, uma ginecologista obstetra brilhante, admirada pela sociedade médica e com quem qualquer aspirante deseja trabalhar. Virginia é uma mulher solitária, que vive para o trabalho e que piscologicamente não é assim tão estável, a julgar pelos ataques de apetite voraz, por ser antissocial e por ter uma amiga imaginária desde a infância, Ruby. Uma daquelas amigas que nenhum pai desejaria para uma filha, porque só a leva por mais caminhos.
Acompanhamos a vida de Virginia alternadamente nos anos 40, durante a sua infância solitária apenas preenchida por Ruby, e nos 70, onde se dedica à prática médica. Pelo meio, conhecemos Gilda, uma paciente cujo bebé salva e de quem se torna madrinha, e Faisal, um colega admirador do seu profissionalismo.
E assim andei durante umas 200 páginas (de um inglês um pouco mais difícil do aquele a que estou habituada), sem saber muito bem no que o livro ia dar. Até que algo acontece na vida de Virginia. E até que o seu comportamento profissional perde a ética uma ou duas vezes. E mais não posso contar. Mas gostava de ter mais opiniões acerca deste livro, de que estive para desistir e de que agora me congratulo por não o ter feito.
Todo o livro se desenrola em torno de Virginia, uma ginecologista obstetra brilhante, admirada pela sociedade médica e com quem qualquer aspirante deseja trabalhar. Virginia é uma mulher solitária, que vive para o trabalho e que piscologicamente não é assim tão estável, a julgar pelos ataques de apetite voraz, por ser antissocial e por ter uma amiga imaginária desde a infância, Ruby. Uma daquelas amigas que nenhum pai desejaria para uma filha, porque só a leva por mais caminhos.
Acompanhamos a vida de Virginia alternadamente nos anos 40, durante a sua infância solitária apenas preenchida por Ruby, e nos 70, onde se dedica à prática médica. Pelo meio, conhecemos Gilda, uma paciente cujo bebé salva e de quem se torna madrinha, e Faisal, um colega admirador do seu profissionalismo.
E assim andei durante umas 200 páginas (de um inglês um pouco mais difícil do aquele a que estou habituada), sem saber muito bem no que o livro ia dar. Até que algo acontece na vida de Virginia. E até que o seu comportamento profissional perde a ética uma ou duas vezes. E mais não posso contar. Mas gostava de ter mais opiniões acerca deste livro, de que estive para desistir e de que agora me congratulo por não o ter feito.
September 30, 2012
At first the book is very confusing in the very way it's written. One chapter for each character. The book mixes up the years and travels from past to present back to past. After the dizziness of traveling in time, I found myself completely addicted to the story and with a terrible hunger for knowing where the author wanted to bring me. The reading took me a while though. I had to stop several times, finding myself sick and disgusted by what I was reading. The ending was worth putting myself through this.
I'm gonna wait for a little while but I most certainly will read the other novel she wrote: Monsters Love.
I'm gonna wait for a little while but I most certainly will read the other novel she wrote: Monsters Love.
November 15, 2016
This book is writte over three time periods and involves many characters including Faisal, Virginia and Gilda. It isn't an easy read and I found the first few chapters very confusing as it isn't until later that the bonds between the present day people become clear.
Essentially it the book is about a mad woman but you get some insight along the way into her early life and the reason why she feels compelled to do what she does.
It isn't an easy read and this wasn't helped that I wasn't able to like the main character, she did carry out some kind acts but she wasn't likable.
Worth a read but I did prefer[[ASIN:014103338X Monster Love]]
Essentially it the book is about a mad woman but you get some insight along the way into her early life and the reason why she feels compelled to do what she does.
It isn't an easy read and this wasn't helped that I wasn't able to like the main character, she did carry out some kind acts but she wasn't likable.
Worth a read but I did prefer[[ASIN:014103338X Monster Love]]
April 20, 2015
Not quite as inventive as the author's other book, Monster Love, but in a way that's a good thing. (The other title is positively stomach-churning.) The neuroses and compulsions of the protagonist were fascinating to me, and the plot was fulfilling to the end. One should be a very experienced reader of violent and perverse titles before attempting any book by Ms. Topolski, in my opinion. Ye have been warned.
Regardless of what it may say about me as a reader, I do hope that Ms. Topolski is hard at work on another title. Her brand of unhinged makes, for me, a feverish read.
Regardless of what it may say about me as a reader, I do hope that Ms. Topolski is hard at work on another title. Her brand of unhinged makes, for me, a feverish read.
February 12, 2012
This book promised lots but delivered so little.
The characters are very one dimensional and I felt nothing at all for any of them. As for Virginia's 'friend' Ruby - do grown women still carry imaginary friends around with them? Faisal was boring and I thought without principles, and the most interesting character, Eleanor, was somewhat side lined.
I would not recommend this book as it just never got going and certainly did not live up to the plot as described on the back of the book.
The characters are very one dimensional and I felt nothing at all for any of them. As for Virginia's 'friend' Ruby - do grown women still carry imaginary friends around with them? Faisal was boring and I thought without principles, and the most interesting character, Eleanor, was somewhat side lined.
I would not recommend this book as it just never got going and certainly did not live up to the plot as described on the back of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2016
Takes a bit of getting into. There are several characters storylines going on all at once and across various timelines. Once you've got it all sorted out, it starts to get interesting - you get absorbed with their lives. Long before the end you start to realise that things are a bit off and the story becomes increasingly chilling.
Not a format that I enjoy, but a brilliant piece of work nonetheless.
Not a format that I enjoy, but a brilliant piece of work nonetheless.
April 7, 2013
Strange book, I really enjoyed Monster Love and was so looking forward to this. The writing was excellent but the story line didn't pick up for me until the last fifty pages when it steamed along nicely. The only character I actually liked was Fasail . A darkly written book that took me forever to read.
November 21, 2015
Yes enjoyed it. Struggled a bit at the beginning as it hopped around a lot and I didn't know the characters or how they fitted together, but I'm sure it didn't help that I was reading it in short bursts before falling asleep. I like a bit of darkness and some interesting characters. Would read another Carol Topolski.
April 26, 2012
Intriguing premise. Ambitious. But directionless and ultimately fails to take off (the multiple timelines and storylines, though most of them tie up together, are simply confusing and irritating). What were the editors thinking?
October 2, 2012
I was disappointed in this book having really enjoyed the disturbingly good Monster Love. I did finish it but really couldn`t wait to be done with it as it was very repetitive and could have been at least 100 pages shorter.
January 26, 2011
Loved the story it was great.Will be interested to see what other people think of this book.
February 27, 2011
Read this yesterday. The book and its heroine sooooo dark that I was unable to sleep. May have to re-read before I can post a proper review, still terrified. LOL
July 4, 2012
I must admit that I thought this would be great after 'Monster Love', but it didn't grip me and I ended up wondering why I was reading it. Disappointing!
February 28, 2012
So disappointing after the brilliant Monster Love.
April 29, 2012
Wow, so much promise, it was a terrible read. That's several hours of my life I will never get back.
October 17, 2012
A real disappointment I don't even know how to start...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews