Do No Harm

by Fiorella De Maria

When a British emergency room doctor saves the life a woman who apparently attempted suicide, he is accused of committing a crime and stands trial. Not only is Dr. Matthew Kemble's medical practice at risk, but also his liberty. If he is found guilty of trespassing on a woman's right to die, he could go to jail.

The novel Do No Harm exposes the dangers faced by conscientious doctors in Britain. Dr. Kemble's decision to treat a patient in defiance of her Living Will pits him against English Law, public opinion and his own profession. The legal and personal battles he faces raise many questions about the role of the physician in the modern world, contemporary beliefs about autonomy and human rights, and the increasingly bitter clash of values in twenty-first century Britain.

Set in and around London, the story explores the interrelated stories of a physician facing ruin and imprisonment at the height of his career, his old friend and doggedly determined lawyer, Jonathan Kirkpatrick, and Maria, a passionate, dedicated but intensely lonely young campaigner who while working for the defense proves incapable of staying out of trouble herself.

Genres: Fiction, Catholic, Book Club, Young Adult

235 pages, Hardcover

First published March 31, 2013

About the author

Fiorella De Maria is an Anglo-Maltese writer, born in Italy and currently living in Surrey. She grew up in rural Wiltshire and attended Cambridge University, where she received a BA in English Literature and an MPhil in Renaissance Literature. A winner of the National Book Prize of Malta, she has published nine novels, specialising in historical and crime fiction. Fiorella’s novels have received endorsements from veteran author and journalist, Piers Paul Reid, and her most recent novel was described as “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie meets I Capture the Castle.”

Besides writing novels, Fiorella is a qualified English Language teacher and a respected bioethicist. She has delivered lectures and papers at conferences all over the world. Her book The Abolition of Woman was described by former Cosmopolitan journalist Sue Ellen Browder as “a daring revelation of the shocking exploitation of women around the world”. Fiorella has appeared on British radio and TV programmes such as ITN 24-Hour News, BBC Woman’s Hour and Premier Radio’s Woman 2 Woman. Fiorella lives with her husband, four children and a dog called Montgomery (Monty).

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covers topics I am praying about and pretty sick-to-my-stomach about, topics I don't really know how to handle and things I don't ever want to read about.

And yet I did. Because they are within the context of a story that gripped me from the beginning

The topic: the legal battleground that the emergency room can (and has?) become. The situation: a British doctor saves a patient's life and is faced with criminal charges. The conclusion: oh, wait, I can't tell you that!

The characters are flawless, the writing is beautiful (though not pandering or flowery). There are twists and turns, and I can say with no duplicity that I was shocked at the end. This book is top of its class. It's not only fun and compelling to read, it's a brain-turner that makes you think and consider.

Highly, HIGHLY recommended.

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the third novel by Fiorella De Maria that I have read. Each of the three to date have rated a solid 5/5 stars. I was captivated by A Most Dangerous Innocence, and enthralled by The Vanishing Woman the first of the father Gabriel Mysteries. But this book was the book that I could not put down. I stated before that after reading A Most Dangerous Innocence, I picked up all the eBooks available of works by Fiorella De Maria and set to work tracking down the three that do not have electronic editions. And this was the third novel by Fiorella that I have read. And with everything I read I am more impressed with Fiorella’s skill in the craft of writing. I read a lot of books, over the last few years I have read over 300 books a year. I read a lot of good books, and a few great books, and some very exceptional books. This is an exceptional read. As life has a way of imitating fiction, I hope that this novel and others along these lines can serve as a wake-up call and sobering warning.

In this story Dr. Matthew Kemble working the late shift in the Emergency Room must make a split-second decision. He must either ignore his oath as a Doctor and let a young woman die or he must go against her ‘Living Will’ and save her life after her suicide attempt. He is charged with assault for saving her life, and trespassing her right to die. And to make the situation even worse Matthew had been a very vocal opponent to the legislation. The trial is rushed and soon both only is Matthews family attacked but one of his defense team. The case is both politically and religiously charged.

This book covers a lot of current hot topics. Both in Europe and north America. In fact it could be fiction taken right from the Catholic Answers book 20 Answers End Of Life issues by Jason Negri. The story deals with issues around right to die, Doctor assisted suicide, living wills, and even suicide as a broader topic. The story is gripping from beginning to end. And the characters are incredibly well written. The story has a slight mystery element to it, as part of the court room drama. In fact the same story could be rewritten with the former roommate and brother as the ones on trial.

There are lots of books that I finish and think I will read them again. There are a few that I put back in my ‘to be read’ pile. This is in the second category. I know I will cycle back and reread this after I finished all of Fiorella’s works. This is an excellent story; I cannot encourage you enough to read it.

Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Fiorella De Maria. As well as an author profile and interview with Fiorella.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2019 Catholic Reading Plan!

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good I actually read it twice, resisting hundreds of others I have waiting for review until I had drained the last drop of wisdom from its pages. The first spell of un-put-down-able reading was to learn the fate of an honourable doctor who faced a dreadful charge. I am not a doctor, yet I was convinced that I suffered in his place. The second, more careful reading was to note—and hopefully remember—the arguments, references and insights that taught more about living a good life than a semester course in practical ethics.

Philosopher Peter Kreeft says the challenge for good fiction is to make good more exciting than evil. Very few contemporary novels do this, particularly those written for adults. Even fewer intelligently integrate wisdom from greats like Solzhenitsyn.

Though the author’s pseudonym made me think of a pious older woman, her book demonstrates a perspicacious grasp of contemporary issues, an excellent command of language and an authoritative knowledge of the professions of her characters so that they educate without preaching. The expert pacing draws the reader along with utterly real dialogue and constant action so that they are reluctant to skip a line or pause for a breath.

And, perhaps most remarkable of all, the excitement of the action mirrors the mounting urgency of the issues themselves, so that not only does the story help readers to engage with grave social matters, but it makes them feel excited doing so.

An excellent read, and one likely to inflame a passion for ethical causes.

Reviewed for www.GoodReadingGuide.com

[Kaley Somers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I liked this book it lacked a driving plot that made me what to binge read it. I also didn't like the character Maria that much and thought that she took too much time away from the main story. The book also lacked suspense but overall I think the author did a good job.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-written story that could be from today's news about a doctor on trial for saving the life of a suicidal girl. Only issue I had was that some of the characters seemed stereotypical.
Her book Poor Banished Children was more nuanced and riveting.

[Anne-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

With Lord Falconer's assisted dying bill being debated in the House of Lords, Fiorella de Maria has hit on a highly topical subject.

Dr Matthew Kemble has no idea of the enormous consequences of his actions when he saves Daisy Havisham’s life one night in a London hospital. Daisy arrives unconscious, having taken an overdose, with a living will clearly stating that she should not be resuscitated. With no time to lose, Dr Kemble decides to overrule the will and pumps her stomach. Daisy survives but remains unconscious. Soon after, Dr Kemble is taken to court by Daisy's family and friends, accused of assault and battery. Will he be punished for that split second decision to save a life or will justice prevail?

Fiorella de Maria is a blossoming author - you can tell she is at the beginning of her writing career and the potential to develop is huge. I really look forward to seeing her talents develop through more writing.

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story could well be taken right out of the headlines today--Dr. Kemble, a conscientious Catholic doctor in London, treats an emergency room attempted suicide, but, the young woman has a living will. He is brought up on charges of assault and battery, and faces having his medical license revoked, and jail time. A well-written story, with great characters. It was a page turner until the end. And, the fact that all this is so real, it brought me to tears.

[Dorothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intensely enjoyable & believable novel with a gripping plot and deeply memorable characters. I will be buying multiple copies as presents for my friends. Although others will love this book, it's a must-read for Britain's Catholic minority. It's not just about frightening new legislations, it's about us.

[Anne Scheidler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was impressed! I am a nurse and the end of life topic piqued my interest. After I started it, I had trouble putting it down. Finished in a couple of days. The main characters were well drawn and complex, but very real people. The story is well connected, with twists and turns. The story is an all too real one that could be taken from any emergency room in any country.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Do No Harm" was a bookclub pick. It's not the kind of book I typically read, but it made me think about advanced directives differently - I think we'll have a good discussion about this book - and I'm interested in reading more by Fiorella D Maria for the ideas she brings up.

[C.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Er, I'll just pull an Ebert and R., shall I? I haven't got enough thumbs to give this book.

[Jeff Koloze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiorella de Maria has written an exemplary novel for those who simply enjoy good fiction which has something significant to say about contemporary life. The characters are credible. The plot is thrilling. In terms of production, the book itself is of sufficient length, and the font is easy to read.

However, these are the usual bits of praise that can be given to any work of fiction. What makes this novel exemplary are the themes of concern to contemporary Catholics: the attack on a well-meaning physician who chose to assist someone instead of let her die, the hostility which he and a member of his legal team experience, the thought that all is not well in the world of British justice, and the effects of a life-denying law on society—this last item satisfying the principle that fiction should communicate something important.

First, though, the customary criteria for evaluating a novel should be developed further. Every character is complex and not a cardboard creation; this is true of both major and minor characters. Dr. Matthew Kemble is not simply a do-gooder who saves the life of a young woman brought into his hospital emergency room for care, despite her having a living will which would have precluded any medical intervention. He is an emotional wreck at times and even wonders whether it would have been better not to have been involved at all in such a complex case. The delightfully hyperactive Maria, who, as a solicitor-in-training, is the equivalent in the American system of a paralegal, is a faithful young Catholic and passionate about her cases, yet she just does not know when to follow orders from her boss, Jonathan Kirkpatrick, Dr. Kemble’s friend and solicitor.

Similarly, minor characters display a depth which makes them utterly credible and ordinary human beings. For example, Freya, Jonathan’s wife, is a devoted, traditional spouse who seems to enjoy puttering about her home doing the simple tasks of entertaining Jonathan’s friends. Even she, however, displays her helplessness being involved with persons handling a controversial legal case frightening to her sense of British order. Expressing sympathy in a discussion of the emotions generated by the case, Freya says, “’I understand.’ I don’t understand at all, thought Freyda miserably, carrying the weight of a blissfully sheltered life on her shoulders” (212). Such honest characterization occurs throughout the novel, and the contemporary reader would greatly appreciate a cast of fictional characters able to express contrary or conflicting emotions.

Much more compelling is the pace of the narrative. The four steps of plot development race from the exposition to the various crises to a spell-binding climax, which leads to a satisfying denouement. How does one prolong over the span of 233 pages a relatively minor legal matter of one doctor accused of assault and battery for having treated a person who has a living will expressly forbidding such care? De Maria does so exceedingly well, punctuating the narrative with unexpected, yet necessary episodes of violence for character development. For example, the “explosion” of a brick being thrown through Dr. Kemble’s window on pages 124-125 and the brutal physical attack on Maria on pages 146-147 illustrate the degree to which those hostile to a life-affirming perspective would go to attempt to stop those who support life. These scenes also allow the author to demonstrate her fine ability to create dramatic tension, which culminates with the jury’s decision:

“Members of the jury, do you find the defendant guilty or not guilty of assault and battery?”

Matthew was aware of time slowing down the way it was said to do in the final moments of life. He tasted bile at the back of his throat and felt the hot, dizzying sense of unadulterated terror overtaking him. He looked fixedly at the foreman. (222)

An ordinary writer would simply follow the judge’s interrogative with the customary “Guilty” or “Not guilty” response. In the hands of a master writer like De Maria, the dramatic tension is prolonged further for the reader’s enjoyment. (What is the jury’s decision? This will not be a “spoiler alert”; read the novel.)

Finally, the novel addresses important problems for our time. Since anti-life forces succeeded in the late twentieth century in overthrowing the legal protection of the first civil right to life of the unborn, the handicapped newborn, and the elderly, the twenty-first century must face the continuing assault by those who think there is something called a “right to die.” De Maria’s philosophical premise is sound. Life-denying forces will not simply be satisfied with their attacks on human life; they want to force pro-lifers to assist in the killing and resent those who obstruct their plans to have death as the oxymoronic cornerstone of human life. Dr. Kemble is a fictional version of any life-affirming person who does not do their bidding. He is attacked and, like millions of other pro-life persons, suffers emotionally at their hands. The injustice of the attack against a well-meaning, life-affirming doctor should inspire all of us to support our own and to fight back. It is imperative that we do so, for the dignity of human life, especially life full of pain and suffering, hangs in the balance.

One hopes that De Maria will publish more novels using this cast of characters; they form a nucleus of vibrant personalities worthy of a series of films, if not a weekly television show. Moreover, expanding certain ideas suggested in this novel would delight De Maria’s followers. For example, will Kirkpatrick and his legal team assist others under attack by life-denying forces? Will the charming affection between Maria and Rick develop into a full-fledged orthodox Catholic romance? De Maria should follow up her success with Do No Harm by writing novels to answer questions like these for her growing fan base.

[BoB Lever · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book. The thought that this tale could be real is troubling. I was constantly thinking of the baby Alfie Evans as I read. However, in some ways the entire book read as a propaganda piece. Maybe that’s because of the my own preconceptions or because of the publisher- Ignatius staring at me on the front cover. I don’t know if a more subtle influencing impact could have been achieved or if I’m over thinking it. I might try another of the authors offerings and see if I get the same feeling.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters were well developed. I probably could have guessed the ending verdict, but never the less, it was very moving to travel along with Dr. Kemble and the torment he felt during his trial. Maria was spunky and one could tell she had a troubled past which made her purpose all the more likable.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Er doc in London saves a suicidal woman with a living will. Her brother presses charges and off to court we go. Do no harm is a creed physicians live by. To ask them to do otherwise is against nature. A living will was not intended to apply to situations such as this. A good read.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good read with a great ending, but just went on and on a bit too much for me.

[aiden · Rating 3 out of 5]

good read, nice plot twist in the end, puts a perspective on many things, quite thought provoking

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this page-turner and found the female main character very simpatico.

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a debate I hadn't considered before picking up this book and still don't fully know where I stand on the issue. I enjoyed the character development (especially Maria); however, the author's bias is evident throughout the narrative. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it does take away from the plot at times (*some* events felt too "convenient" as they unfolded).

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timely. This book examines what it means to do the right thing in a world ruled by relativism. A must-read for everyone. Not preachy or political, just filled with common sense.

[Jennifer Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

End of life issues

what we are heading for or maybe it's already here. characters are engaging and sympathetic. not really any plot twists though, if you're into that sort of thing.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Catholic fiction.