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Blick’s Condition: 'I'm not damaged, I'm different.'
Blick’s Condition is a dark-humor novel set in the world of medicine. Norris Blick is a modern-day misfit, whose life is thwarted by his domineering father, Dr Thaddeus Blick. With diabolical plots and overtones of Tom Sharpe farce, the novel is divided into three parts, Norris Blick Comes of Age, Blick on the Rocks and Dr Blick, heal thy self.
For most young people their 18th birthday is a time of great celebration, as they finally reach the promised land of adulthood. For Blick, his coming of age changes his life. When he wakes that fateful day little does he know that 24 hours later he will have chopped up a dead body, taken up smoking, smeared blood over himself and lost his virginity. Nor is he able to foresee his mother’s illicit affair or having to make a deathbed promise to his father that blights his future, nor the conditions of his father’s will that he is required to fulfill to enable him to claim his inheritance.
Shortly before he qualifies, Blick is summoned to stand before the Medical School discipline committee where his punishment ruins his medical career even before it has begun. Living from hand to mouth, Blick stumbles as a locum doctor from one job to the next. Finally, with money running out, homeless and no job prospects in sight, he is forced to return home where he ingratiates himself by means of a despicable lie.
However, an opportunity arises at St Dunstan’s, his father’s old hospital, where his salvation begins, by tackling the dark forces plotting to steal the hospital and sell off the land for property development. At the same time, he loses his heart to Amanda Slaughter, senior partner of Slaughter, Paine & Associates solicitors whist she mounts a legal challenge against his father’s will, and fights for him when he is about to be struck off. It is only when she arranges for him to undergo an MRI scan that the truth about Blick’s condition is finally revealed.
About the Author
Steve Hurl has always had a passion for science and has always been an advocate of the National Health Service. He graduated from the University of Southampton with a degree in Physiology & Pharmacology. He worked in biomedical sciences at the National Heart Hospital and Kings College Hospital, London.
Later, he studied at Greenwich University and qualified as a science teacher. At the time of publication, he is the headteacher of a sixth form college. Steve also lectures in molecular biology and genetics.
Living in London, he is married with three sons. Blick’s Condition was written on the Metropolitan line on his daily commute.
Steve is grateful for the support and encouragement of his family and friends over the years as Blick’s journey was written and rewritten and rewritten…
He also extends deep gratitude to Helen Cooklin (and Andy) and Paul Sadler (no relation to Dr Sadler) for their help and contribution. Special thanks to Simon Langley and Andrew Downie for their creative input.
Acknowledgements: Kevin Foord (Photograph) Amy Pettingill (Cover image)
For most young people their 18th birthday is a time of great celebration, as they finally reach the promised land of adulthood. For Blick, his coming of age changes his life. When he wakes that fateful day little does he know that 24 hours later he will have chopped up a dead body, taken up smoking, smeared blood over himself and lost his virginity. Nor is he able to foresee his mother’s illicit affair or having to make a deathbed promise to his father that blights his future, nor the conditions of his father’s will that he is required to fulfill to enable him to claim his inheritance.
Shortly before he qualifies, Blick is summoned to stand before the Medical School discipline committee where his punishment ruins his medical career even before it has begun. Living from hand to mouth, Blick stumbles as a locum doctor from one job to the next. Finally, with money running out, homeless and no job prospects in sight, he is forced to return home where he ingratiates himself by means of a despicable lie.
However, an opportunity arises at St Dunstan’s, his father’s old hospital, where his salvation begins, by tackling the dark forces plotting to steal the hospital and sell off the land for property development. At the same time, he loses his heart to Amanda Slaughter, senior partner of Slaughter, Paine & Associates solicitors whist she mounts a legal challenge against his father’s will, and fights for him when he is about to be struck off. It is only when she arranges for him to undergo an MRI scan that the truth about Blick’s condition is finally revealed.
About the Author
Steve Hurl has always had a passion for science and has always been an advocate of the National Health Service. He graduated from the University of Southampton with a degree in Physiology & Pharmacology. He worked in biomedical sciences at the National Heart Hospital and Kings College Hospital, London.
Later, he studied at Greenwich University and qualified as a science teacher. At the time of publication, he is the headteacher of a sixth form college. Steve also lectures in molecular biology and genetics.
Living in London, he is married with three sons. Blick’s Condition was written on the Metropolitan line on his daily commute.
Steve is grateful for the support and encouragement of his family and friends over the years as Blick’s journey was written and rewritten and rewritten…
He also extends deep gratitude to Helen Cooklin (and Andy) and Paul Sadler (no relation to Dr Sadler) for their help and contribution. Special thanks to Simon Langley and Andrew Downie for their creative input.
Acknowledgements: Kevin Foord (Photograph) Amy Pettingill (Cover image)
446 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 24, 2013
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January 6, 2024
Astonishing unputdownable book, extremely well written with a wonderful plot and a superb finish
There is absolutely nothing to dislike about this book, for here I am in Panama, by the sea, often waking at 0200 hrs, then grabbing my phone to carry on reading about Blick, for as I said, it is unputdownable.
There is absolutely nothing to dislike about this book, for here I am in Panama, by the sea, often waking at 0200 hrs, then grabbing my phone to carry on reading about Blick, for as I said, it is unputdownable.
Displaying 1 of 1 review