Practice Makes Perfect

by Edward Vernon

"I'd taken a job as assistant to an elderly general practitioner working in a small Midland town. It was my first job in general practice; my first brave excursion into the dangerous world where patients walk around in their clothes...." This is a heartwarmingly funny, eye-opening and sometimes sad account of a young doctor's initiation. Dr. Vernon swiftly found himself bemused, fascinated and exhausted as he coped with the procession of (usually) ailing humanity that streamed through his office and awaited visits. Confused old lady, timid vet, puzzled diabetic, lonely housewife, hypochondriac athlete, all made their appearance--not to mention a tipster with an ulcer, a nun with dandruff, and a persistent young lady with abundant charms and no complaints! Luckily, his wise, worldly and well-loved employer, Dr. Oaks, and their receptionist, the doughty Miss Williams, were on hand to provide protection, counsel and occasionally rescue. And, after his baptism of fire, young Dr Vernon found he had accumulated not only a certain amount of insight (and a wife-to-be!) but also a host of good stories. Practice Makes Perfect is a look behind the doctor's door that will amuse, amaze--and, above all, entertain. 

Genres: Humor

250 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 13, 2014

Reviews

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must be a frustrated GP as I enjoyed this book immensely. It is just a series of anecdotes of particular patient situations dealt with by the young GP in an English Midlands town as an assistant to a long serving practitioner in his first job after his internship. The anecdotes are relatively short so you can start and finish one in a short period usually with a grin on your face, or a good belly laugh at some situation he has been caught in, or solved. It is lightweight entertaining fiction and well-worth a read.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read!

Loved this book. Well written and informative as to the British way of life. I am excited to read the next book and follow the young couple's marriage. What a fine doctor!

[Lisa Cramb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely charming

A delightful book of stories from a go practise. Written withheld observation & wise knowledge. I would have liked either of the Doctors to have been my Gp!
In comparison to how things were done in "the old days" I feel rather sad that our more modern & efficient practises seem to have lost that personal touch along the way. However it was charming to read of how things "used too be".

[Wei Jiun · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly entertaining and easy read from start to finish! Short chapters of various amusing stories about being a General Practitioner in rural England a few decades ago, makes for perfect night time reading before bed! I admire the author's straightforward writing style, conveying so much emotion and humour using only common words and sentences. It is amazing how the book manages to not be mean spirited or cruel, while recounting all these outrageous going-ons.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little memoir about general practice in the 70s. I sed to visit my aunt and uncle in the 60s and could immediately relate to the whole aspect of life with surgeries morning and evening and visits in between. Those were the days of handwritten records and multiple occupancy housing where you sometimes had to guess which particular male was there as they all seemed to have the same name. I would say this is comfort reminiscences

[Liz Gilman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read but not much new.

Enjoyed reading this book and hearing stories of his first GP patients. Have bought book 2. I don't have anything else to say but Amazon insists I fill their word number.

[Steve Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s worth a read

It’s oddly written and more tongue in cheek than anything. But I did enjoy reading it, I will look at the next book too.
I like a bit of harmless reading now and again. It’s not too taxing on the brain after a long day.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book about being a doctor in a small town

This is a lovely collection of stories about the quirky characters a doctor encountered during his first few months of starting his career.

[tracy crowther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brill book

[Marjorie McKellar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to put down!







Very e enjoyable and amusing, looking fwd to reading the next one. Have already ordered it I'm sure it will be just as entertaining.

[sandy kalnins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amusing and light hearted

The book was worth reading, I enjoyed it very much and will recommend it to my friends,
I am looking forward to book 2.

[Lynn Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I simply 💘 this book!

I found this book an absolute delight!

Well written, edited masterfully , a joy to relax with.

Please, read it Lynn Porter

[Norma J Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book

A delight to read! Looking forward to reading the next two. These reviews are much too long. Granny Kat Norma

[David Fielden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful very funny book

Immediately downloading book 2. Won't get much work done tomorrow. Really enjoyable read and would make a very funny film.

[Jenny Carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious at Times

Interesting, and sometimes hilarious account of a doctor's experiences. Easy to read. Will read more. Reminds me of James Herriot's tales.

[Lesley Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good read

Five stars, a really lovely book. The life of a Doctor before everything went bonkers. I can't wait to read the next one.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practice makes perfect

I really enjoy these 70 ' s memories of the Doctor starting out I've read several of his books and they never disappoint.

[Mrs Amber Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read

Lovely book and a cracking doctor ❤️. I love that it’s set in a simpler day. Very humourless read. Thanks

[Nick Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and fun.

A fascinating glance into the life of a young doctor starting out in general practice. This gentle flick through his diary is both interesting and amusing.

[Rafi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming and fun account of life as a new GP, with helpful anecdotes, amusing consultations and some inspiring practice I hope I can replicate.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

delightful

An easy read with a very likable cast of characters. Each chapter is a novella in itself and the book ends with a transition to the next book.

[Glemm Sherratt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Undemanding bedtime reading.

Written in a conversational style. I think it has fairly wide appeal.
Edward Vernon can tell a joke against himself.

[Starlightuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good read.

Excellent book, really captures the everyday life of a doctor. Love the humour of some of a lot of the patients.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first five books of the Bilbury series, but still a good read. These episodic accounts of the life of a young doctor are funny and sometimes touching. There is some attempt at linkage between the stories, but the characters are not as strong as the Bilbury characters. This book is an escape to a simpler age which nonetheless foreshadows the overwhelming weight of the medical bureaucracy and administrative medicine which plagues real doctors today.