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Bedside Manner
Broken, helpless, she had to trust an alien doctor to give her back her body and mind—a doctor who had never seen a human before!
22 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1954
2 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
William Morrison
147 books4 followersWilliam Morrison was a pen name used by Joseph Samachson (1906-1980). He earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from Yale at the age of 23. He was an assistant professor at the College of Medicine, University of Illinois. He also headed a laboratory in metabolic research dealing with diseases that affect the skeleton. Samachson worked as a research chemist until 1938, leaving to become a fulltime writer. He worked as a technical writer but also wrote science fiction for the pulp magazines. In the early 1940s he wrote primarily for the comics. From that period, he is best known as the co-creator of the Martian Manhunter at DC but also created other characters like Zatara, Tomahawk and Two-gun Percy. In the 1950s he produced science fiction novels and many short stories and was a frequent contributor to major magazines like GALAXY. With his wife, he wrote books about various subjects, including the theater, music and ballet. He returned to biochemistry in 1953, eventually retiring in 1973 after five years as Associate Clinical Professor of biochemistry at Loyola University, Chicago.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 14, 2012
"Short Story" Week continues here on Goodreads with a pleasing, obscure gem from the golden age of science fiction.
Thank you to Karla for pointing me in the direction of this warm and surprisingly emotional tale (not something I normally associate with the pulp era). Overall, I thought this was a high quality effort with some interesting things to say about who we are.
Karla did a wonderful job reviewing this one which you can (and should) see here: Karla’s review. Also, the entire story is available for free at the following link: Bedside Manner.
I really liked the set up of the story as it details the slow, groggy, “just back from oblivion” awakening of Margaret after miraculously surviving the crash of her ship into an asteroid…(at this point, you should have your disbelief suspenders firmly attached so as not to over think that minor set up device.). Turns out that both Margaret and her husband Fred were rescued by an advanced alien survey ship that has the expertise to be able to treat their injuries.
At this point if you did not study the image above and read the clips from the opening, it would be appropriate to do so. Despite the simplistic illustration, I thought the depiction of her in pieces and covering her eyes in grief and terror is wonderful. Along with the opening paragraph, it really grabs you by the attention and pulls you in.
From there the story addresses themes of personal identity and how one’s internal lens often differs dramatically from the outside world’s perception of such person. It also has some intriguing things to say about obsession over personal appearance and the danger of putting too many psychological eggs in that particular basket.
Overall, I thought these themes were pretty well handled.
My one gripe about the tale are that I didn’t particularly care for Margaret. I know that is partially to be expected as she was the delivery system for the story’s message regarding physical insecurities and vanity, but I still found her unlikable enough that it removed some of the suspense from the story. Since I didn’t care much about her, I was not as “edge of my seat” hoping for everything to be okay.
I thought the ending was appropriate and fairly well handled (though I was expecting more of a Twilight Zone zinger) the story handled some pretty importance concepts in a thoughtful and engaging way. Not what I would call pulpy content from this age of pulp.
I nice little story that you should check out. Plus, since it’s short and free the downside is almost nil.
3.0 stars. Recommended
Thank you to Karla for pointing me in the direction of this warm and surprisingly emotional tale (not something I normally associate with the pulp era). Overall, I thought this was a high quality effort with some interesting things to say about who we are.
Karla did a wonderful job reviewing this one which you can (and should) see here: Karla’s review. Also, the entire story is available for free at the following link: Bedside Manner.
I really liked the set up of the story as it details the slow, groggy, “just back from oblivion” awakening of Margaret after miraculously surviving the crash of her ship into an asteroid…(at this point, you should have your disbelief suspenders firmly attached so as not to over think that minor set up device.). Turns out that both Margaret and her husband Fred were rescued by an advanced alien survey ship that has the expertise to be able to treat their injuries.
At this point if you did not study the image above and read the clips from the opening, it would be appropriate to do so. Despite the simplistic illustration, I thought the depiction of her in pieces and covering her eyes in grief and terror is wonderful. Along with the opening paragraph, it really grabs you by the attention and pulls you in.
From there the story addresses themes of personal identity and how one’s internal lens often differs dramatically from the outside world’s perception of such person. It also has some intriguing things to say about obsession over personal appearance and the danger of putting too many psychological eggs in that particular basket.
Overall, I thought these themes were pretty well handled.
My one gripe about the tale are that I didn’t particularly care for Margaret. I know that is partially to be expected as she was the delivery system for the story’s message regarding physical insecurities and vanity, but I still found her unlikable enough that it removed some of the suspense from the story. Since I didn’t care much about her, I was not as “edge of my seat” hoping for everything to be okay.
I thought the ending was appropriate and fairly well handled (though I was expecting more of a Twilight Zone zinger) the story handled some pretty importance concepts in a thoughtful and engaging way. Not what I would call pulpy content from this age of pulp.
I nice little story that you should check out. Plus, since it’s short and free the downside is almost nil.
3.0 stars. Recommended
January 27, 2012
While I don't try to read whole books electronically, I'll sometimes read a short story that way, if I'm motivated enough and have the time. Since I take Jim's recommendations in the SF area pretty seriously, that gave me the motivation in this case, and I wasn't disappointed --based on our star ratings, I liked this one even better than he did!
This tale first appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, then the vanguard publication for the shift in the SF genre from the dominance of the "hard" tradition to the rise of the "soft" form, where the focus isn't on the nuts and bolts of technology and hard science, but rather on the human dimension as it's illuminated in new ways by imagining presently "impossible" scenarios. That's the case here; the author isn't interested in the techniques for regrowing lost limbs or restoring destroyed faces. Rather, the story is about the reactions of a human couple (especially the wife, who's our viewpoint character) to what the effects of the restoration might mean to them and their relationship --for good or ill. Morrison has wonderful insight into human nature, and used it here to create a thoughtful, deep story with layers on layers of meanings: about body image, about communication (or lack of it) in marriage, about how our looks do or don't affect our deepest relationships, about what is and isn't really important in life, and more. All of this works up to a pitch-perfect ending. Another of my Goodreads friends found it a drawback that the female character was so hard to like that he didn't care what happened to her, but I didn't have that problem. The powerful opening paragraphs, where you experience with her the claustrophobic horror of discovering that you're paralyzed, limbless, blind, deaf and mute (and in horrible pain), bonded me with her pretty fully; and though afterwards I could recognize some of her attitudes as foolish and shallow (and wanted at times to take her by the shoulders and shake some sense into her!), I could always understand why she thought as she did, and I did care about her.
This story is a neglected gem, a treasure from its era that's clearly been obscured by passing time, but deserves to be a lot better known than it is. (It makes me wonder if Morrison wrote anything else --and if he did, I'd be glad to have a chance to explore more of his work!)
This tale first appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, then the vanguard publication for the shift in the SF genre from the dominance of the "hard" tradition to the rise of the "soft" form, where the focus isn't on the nuts and bolts of technology and hard science, but rather on the human dimension as it's illuminated in new ways by imagining presently "impossible" scenarios. That's the case here; the author isn't interested in the techniques for regrowing lost limbs or restoring destroyed faces. Rather, the story is about the reactions of a human couple (especially the wife, who's our viewpoint character) to what the effects of the restoration might mean to them and their relationship --for good or ill. Morrison has wonderful insight into human nature, and used it here to create a thoughtful, deep story with layers on layers of meanings: about body image, about communication (or lack of it) in marriage, about how our looks do or don't affect our deepest relationships, about what is and isn't really important in life, and more. All of this works up to a pitch-perfect ending. Another of my Goodreads friends found it a drawback that the female character was so hard to like that he didn't care what happened to her, but I didn't have that problem. The powerful opening paragraphs, where you experience with her the claustrophobic horror of discovering that you're paralyzed, limbless, blind, deaf and mute (and in horrible pain), bonded me with her pretty fully; and though afterwards I could recognize some of her attitudes as foolish and shallow (and wanted at times to take her by the shoulders and shake some sense into her!), I could always understand why she thought as she did, and I did care about her.
This story is a neglected gem, a treasure from its era that's clearly been obscured by passing time, but deserves to be a lot better known than it is. (It makes me wonder if Morrison wrote anything else --and if he did, I'd be glad to have a chance to explore more of his work!)
December 28, 2015
Project Gutenberg is just awesome. Keeping alive & available a gem like this from the Pulp era is an unexpected, wonderful surprise. Thanks to my friends Becky & Stephen for turning me on to it. You can read this story here for free:
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/32864/...
Pulp era fiction has a bad rep for only producing space opera & it is completely untrue. This beauty would have made an excellent Twilight Zone episode. Actually, it is similar in some ways to "Eye of the Beholder". It explores a very intimate, private portion of ourselves, the importance of our looks, our vanity, & it does so in a very creative way.
It's short & really worth the few minutes of your time to read it. Go ahead, do it now. You can thank me later.
;-)
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/32864/...
Pulp era fiction has a bad rep for only producing space opera & it is completely untrue. This beauty would have made an excellent Twilight Zone episode. Actually, it is similar in some ways to "Eye of the Beholder". It explores a very intimate, private portion of ourselves, the importance of our looks, our vanity, & it does so in a very creative way.
It's short & really worth the few minutes of your time to read it. Go ahead, do it now. You can thank me later.
;-)
January 14, 2012
For the second time this week, a review that Stephen wrote has led me to read a short story that I might otherwise have missed. And, while I can't say that this one was as great as the last one, Bedside Manner was interesting and different.
Margaret and her husband were rescued by unknown aliens after their spaceship was destroyed, and they (the aliens) who have helpfully rescued them from certain death are now trying to put them (the couple) back together again - arms, legs, eyes, faces. Anyone else would be extremely grateful just to be alive, and for their spouse to be alive as well... but not Margaret. Margaret is plain-vain. She thinks that any minute change of her features will topple the precarious foundation of her marriage... so it would be better to be dead.
Can't say that I care for Margaret all that much. No, scratch that. I didn't like her at all. Vindictive me was hoping that the alien(s) would tell her that she gets the body they give her and she'll like it... or just shove her ungrateful ass out of the airlock. I'd be cheering, popcorn in hand, either way.
"I'll be plain, she thought, but I'll wear well. A background always wears well. Time can't hurt it much, because there's nothing there to hurt."
This line really stood out to me in this story. Margaret is the kind of woman that infuriates me. She either refuses or just cannot comprehend of herself or her husband as anything more than their appearances. He's the handsome one, and she's the rug that really ties the room together. (10 points if you get that reference.) No matter how many times he tries to tell her that he loves her for more than her face providing the contrast to show his own as even more handsome (reverse arm-candy, anyone?), she is too dense to listen to him.
But despite this, I enjoyed the message of this story... that we are more than our appearance, and that we need to learn to see past the superficial and live - and love - who we are on the inside. Maybe a little campy, but as apt a message today as it seems to have been back when this was written. Today we have teen girls buying into the unachievable-for-99%-of-humanity supermodel look, and slowly killing themselves through anorexia and bulimia to do it. It's just sad. Aren't we better than this?
Anyway... This was a good story, definitely recommended, and it's short, so you'll only have to put up with Margaret for a little while. Win-win. ;)
Margaret and her husband were rescued by unknown aliens after their spaceship was destroyed, and they (the aliens) who have helpfully rescued them from certain death are now trying to put them (the couple) back together again - arms, legs, eyes, faces. Anyone else would be extremely grateful just to be alive, and for their spouse to be alive as well... but not Margaret. Margaret is plain-vain. She thinks that any minute change of her features will topple the precarious foundation of her marriage... so it would be better to be dead.
Can't say that I care for Margaret all that much. No, scratch that. I didn't like her at all. Vindictive me was hoping that the alien(s) would tell her that she gets the body they give her and she'll like it... or just shove her ungrateful ass out of the airlock. I'd be cheering, popcorn in hand, either way.
"I'll be plain, she thought, but I'll wear well. A background always wears well. Time can't hurt it much, because there's nothing there to hurt."
This line really stood out to me in this story. Margaret is the kind of woman that infuriates me. She either refuses or just cannot comprehend of herself or her husband as anything more than their appearances. He's the handsome one, and she's the rug that really ties the room together. (10 points if you get that reference.) No matter how many times he tries to tell her that he loves her for more than her face providing the contrast to show his own as even more handsome (reverse arm-candy, anyone?), she is too dense to listen to him.
But despite this, I enjoyed the message of this story... that we are more than our appearance, and that we need to learn to see past the superficial and live - and love - who we are on the inside. Maybe a little campy, but as apt a message today as it seems to have been back when this was written. Today we have teen girls buying into the unachievable-for-99%-of-humanity supermodel look, and slowly killing themselves through anorexia and bulimia to do it. It's just sad. Aren't we better than this?
Anyway... This was a good story, definitely recommended, and it's short, so you'll only have to put up with Margaret for a little while. Win-win. ;)
February 5, 2012
This book has been recommended to me several times over the years, and it has been my intention to read it for a long time. This morning, I finished an epic series (with Conqueror), and decided that I could do with a short story to fill the gap before I choose my next book off the shelf.
I am very pleased that I chose this one. There is so much packed into such a small volume. It is a real golden nugget. It was first published in May 1954, before I was born.
It tells the story of a human couple who have been rescued by advanced from a wrecked spacecraft between Mars and Earth. They were returning from their honeymoon when catastrophe struck. They are both paralysed, blind, deaf, dumb, limbless, and wishing themselves dead.
The alien doctor restores them to full wellness, and better, in some ways than they were before the accident. The emotions build. There is beautiful romance. There is doubt: self-doubt and doubt of each other. There is love in abundance. There is mystery. There is so much here. You must take time out to read it (free to download from the Gutenberg Project), as you are sure to appreciate this little treasure.
One aspect that I really appreciated was the reference to "stereos." These were salvaged from the wreck of their space ship and used to reconstruct their faces. Amusingly, the alien doctor, who they never see, thinks that all humon faces look much the same, but promises to do his best. Having worked in as a military surveyor, making maps from aerial photographs, for a large portion of my life, I am a huge enthusiast of the use of stereo images for the benefit of all. Imagine how excited I was at the thought of an alien surgeon using such imagery to reconstruct the faces of humans!
This is wonderful! Read it!
I am very pleased that I chose this one. There is so much packed into such a small volume. It is a real golden nugget. It was first published in May 1954, before I was born.
It tells the story of a human couple who have been rescued by advanced from a wrecked spacecraft between Mars and Earth. They were returning from their honeymoon when catastrophe struck. They are both paralysed, blind, deaf, dumb, limbless, and wishing themselves dead.
The alien doctor restores them to full wellness, and better, in some ways than they were before the accident. The emotions build. There is beautiful romance. There is doubt: self-doubt and doubt of each other. There is love in abundance. There is mystery. There is so much here. You must take time out to read it (free to download from the Gutenberg Project), as you are sure to appreciate this little treasure.
One aspect that I really appreciated was the reference to "stereos." These were salvaged from the wreck of their space ship and used to reconstruct their faces. Amusingly, the alien doctor, who they never see, thinks that all humon faces look much the same, but promises to do his best. Having worked in as a military surveyor, making maps from aerial photographs, for a large portion of my life, I am a huge enthusiast of the use of stereo images for the benefit of all. Imagine how excited I was at the thought of an alien surgeon using such imagery to reconstruct the faces of humans!
This is wonderful! Read it!
August 1, 2024
Read as part of "Great Science Fiction About Doctors", reviewed here: https://www.skjam.com/2024/08/01/book...
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