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Bedside Manner
Nicklaus Fleischer dreamed of growing up to be a doctor. Few dreams, however, can remain pure under the shadow of the Third Reich. On his journey to become a doctor and soothe his troubled home life, Nicklaus discovers the terrible steps his nation has taken to fight a war not just on the front lines, but against its very own citizens. The government changes the value of 'Do No Harm', and with it, Nicklaus's dreams to better the lives of his fellow man. This is a fictional biography set during a grim time - a tale of life, death, love, and loss that is not for the faint of heart.
182 pages, Paperback
First published June 25, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 14, 2018
This book is pretty much a nothing special story. The main character, Nicklaus Fliecher, begins telling the story when as a child, he is caught up by a bullying group of school children, and rather suffers a spectacular fail trying to defend himself. From that moment forward, Nicklaus begins a life-long journey of sniffling, whining, self-effacing and somewhat paranoid behaviour. He relates only the horrible "operations" he was allegedly ordered to perform. However, the reader isn't told how those orders are developed, delivered or reviewed. He repeatedly states how awful everything is, but this author never gives her reader enough background history to understand how he manages to act in such a despicable manner, without letting his feelings relieve his processes. It goes without stating he is under the Nazi regime, but is only focused on "HIM", a mysterious alleged physician in charge of heinous medical mutilations and resultant deaths of "patients" otherwise known to be prisoners in work camps. Could that "HIM" be the notorious and vicious Dr. Mengele? The given name of "HIM" is "Engle". Too much of a coincidence, to change the name of a vile war-crimes practitioner? That question is never answered.
Throughout the entire narrative, Nicklaus sniffles and sobs, while clutching a stuffed teddy bear he'd given his son years before he fell victim to the Nazi occupation and then is allowed to take with himself into what is probably a prison allocated to Nazi war criminals, maybe from the infamous Nuremberg trials? It's all a guess because the author leaves every bit of background discussion or suspicion out of the entire narrative.
Honestly, this book was a complete disappointment and I felt little to no empathy with the cowardly and immature Dr. Fliecher. The end is a total waste of time. I hated this book.
Throughout the entire narrative, Nicklaus sniffles and sobs, while clutching a stuffed teddy bear he'd given his son years before he fell victim to the Nazi occupation and then is allowed to take with himself into what is probably a prison allocated to Nazi war criminals, maybe from the infamous Nuremberg trials? It's all a guess because the author leaves every bit of background discussion or suspicion out of the entire narrative.
Honestly, this book was a complete disappointment and I felt little to no empathy with the cowardly and immature Dr. Fliecher. The end is a total waste of time. I hated this book.
July 7, 2015
War Crimes
Nicholas grew up on a farm in Germany. The family grew crops of hops and sold to a small brewery. They were one of the few families that didn't worry during the hard times. His Mom had died years earlier, so he was raised by his dad and grandpa. He was happy up until there was a serious accident and he was left with his mean and ugly uncle. From then on life was horrid for him. He managed to finish school and go on to a medical university, and graduated with honors as a heart surgeon. He met a lovely lady had a son.
Things were going pretty well except during his college training he was away from home a lot. Just before the holidays he came home and found out that the uncle had given is 3 year old son a black eye and the wife and son were gone.
In the mean time he has a good job, is unable to find his wife and his life goes to hell from there.
This is written during WWII and I'm not going to ruin the rest of the story, but you just may need a tissue.
Nicholas grew up on a farm in Germany. The family grew crops of hops and sold to a small brewery. They were one of the few families that didn't worry during the hard times. His Mom had died years earlier, so he was raised by his dad and grandpa. He was happy up until there was a serious accident and he was left with his mean and ugly uncle. From then on life was horrid for him. He managed to finish school and go on to a medical university, and graduated with honors as a heart surgeon. He met a lovely lady had a son.
Things were going pretty well except during his college training he was away from home a lot. Just before the holidays he came home and found out that the uncle had given is 3 year old son a black eye and the wife and son were gone.
In the mean time he has a good job, is unable to find his wife and his life goes to hell from there.
This is written during WWII and I'm not going to ruin the rest of the story, but you just may need a tissue.
December 21, 2018
I enjoyed reading Bedside Manner. I always wondered what the scenarios would be for a doctor to end up in such an awful infirmary. Many would be sadistic enough to try to get such a position. In the Nazi era, I can picture many forced to serve in an indirect manner. Once in that position, I agree it would be very risky to extricate oneself. When it comes down to one's own body being tortured I think the majority would cover their own basis. I would like to say I would refuse and take the consequences but I do not think that is realistic for any but the very, very few.
I liked that bullying was fully addressed. More stories need to be told.
I adored the main characters except for the Uncle of course. Perhaps they could have been a bit more human. The kindness of the main character and the positions he was put in was expanded well. Sometimes good people do bad things. That is rare in any storyline.
The part that aggravated me the most was that the Uncle's ways and personally were repeated over an over again not really adding anything new. The description of Dr. Engele was also repeated too much.
I suppose Dr. Engele was a fictitious character though I wonder whether there was another like Dr. Mengele.
My mind may have been opened up a bit. It is hard for me to imagine men not attracted to females sexually especially during childbearing years. The main character appeared he could take or leave sexual companionship. I am reminded there are all kinds in this world.
I liked that bullying was fully addressed. More stories need to be told.
I adored the main characters except for the Uncle of course. Perhaps they could have been a bit more human. The kindness of the main character and the positions he was put in was expanded well. Sometimes good people do bad things. That is rare in any storyline.
The part that aggravated me the most was that the Uncle's ways and personally were repeated over an over again not really adding anything new. The description of Dr. Engele was also repeated too much.
I suppose Dr. Engele was a fictitious character though I wonder whether there was another like Dr. Mengele.
My mind may have been opened up a bit. It is hard for me to imagine men not attracted to females sexually especially during childbearing years. The main character appeared he could take or leave sexual companionship. I am reminded there are all kinds in this world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2020
It was as good
I thought that it would be far more interesting than it was. But it was good enough to finish the book.
I thought that it would be far more interesting than it was. But it was good enough to finish the book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews