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Quick Reads This Is Going To Hurt: An Easy To Read Version Of The Bestselling Book
This is not a new book but a specially adapted version of Adam Kay's bestseller This is Going to Hurt for Quick Reads. These short books are perfect for adults who are discovering reading for pleasure for the first time.Welcome to the life of a junior doctor. You work 97 hours a week. You make life and death decisions. You are often covered in blood (or worse) from head to toe. And the hospital parking meter earns more money than you do.Adam Kay's diary was written in secret after long days, sleepless nights and missed weekends. It is funny, moving and sometimes shocking. This is everything you wanted to know – and more than a few things you didn't – about life on and off the hospital ward.Specially rewritten for ease of reading by Francesca Main.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 20, 2020
159 people are currently reading
509 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
July 28, 2020
Written with humour and passion. It is an open insight to how tough the life of a junior doctor can be. It mentions the highs and the lows but despite the lack of sleep there is no shortage of skill, dedication and wit. It left me so full of admiration for the work doctors do and the long hours they are compelled to work.
It isn’t a political rant but a testimony of someone who knows and cares for patients and the health of the NHS.
Reading this you will think that the government line when they criticise junior doctors perhaps indicates they have never been a patient in our hospitals or spent seven hours shadowing a doctor during perhaps a 97 hour week.
It isn’t a political rant but a testimony of someone who knows and cares for patients and the health of the NHS.
Reading this you will think that the government line when they criticise junior doctors perhaps indicates they have never been a patient in our hospitals or spent seven hours shadowing a doctor during perhaps a 97 hour week.
July 8, 2023
I definitely don't want to be a doctor
February 24, 2020
The Reading Agency is passionate about literacy. Every Year a number of authors are encouraged to write short stories to promote reading. At just a £1 and freely available in book shops they are the sort of books you can share and encourage others to read when normally they would shy away from a novel packed with loads of words.
This is going to hurt is unusual in that it has been adapted from Adam Kay’s bestselling book.
This abridged version was specially rewritten for ease of reading by Francesca Main.
It was a Quick Read in every sense, the writing style is a series of diary entries by Adam from his time as a Junior Doctor. I read it in one sitting and feel confident it would suit anyone interested in the NHS and a fan of Holby or Casualty.
Written with humour and passion. It is an open insight to how tough the life of a junior doctor can be. It mentions the highs and the lows but despite the lack of sleep there is no shortage of skill, dedication and wit. It left me so full of admiration for the work doctors do and the long hours they are compelled to work.
It isn’t a political rant but a testimony of someone who knows and cares for patients and the health of the NHS.
“I hope it will give a glimpse of what the job really involves.”
Reading this you will think that the government line when they criticise junior doctors perhaps indicates they have never been a patient in our hospitals or spent seven hours shadowing a doctor during perhaps a 97 hour week.
I love anything that makes reading more accessible and this is a book all should read for we all need and rely on the NHS.
This is going to hurt is unusual in that it has been adapted from Adam Kay’s bestselling book.
This abridged version was specially rewritten for ease of reading by Francesca Main.
It was a Quick Read in every sense, the writing style is a series of diary entries by Adam from his time as a Junior Doctor. I read it in one sitting and feel confident it would suit anyone interested in the NHS and a fan of Holby or Casualty.
Written with humour and passion. It is an open insight to how tough the life of a junior doctor can be. It mentions the highs and the lows but despite the lack of sleep there is no shortage of skill, dedication and wit. It left me so full of admiration for the work doctors do and the long hours they are compelled to work.
It isn’t a political rant but a testimony of someone who knows and cares for patients and the health of the NHS.
“I hope it will give a glimpse of what the job really involves.”
Reading this you will think that the government line when they criticise junior doctors perhaps indicates they have never been a patient in our hospitals or spent seven hours shadowing a doctor during perhaps a 97 hour week.
I love anything that makes reading more accessible and this is a book all should read for we all need and rely on the NHS.
April 28, 2020
I thought this was an amazing adaptation of the full book! Full review to come.
July 31, 2020
Loved this quick read, funny, sad and interesting. I definitely want to read the full version of this book now!!
October 23, 2024
This has been a pick up book in between other books and life, I very much want to read the full version now and watch the series, everyone I know who has worked in the NHS has also left their positions and have goon on to more flexible, less stressful and better paying jobs and this book highlights even more reasons as to why may others are doing the same thing by leaving.. very good and quick to read 😊
February 27, 2020
Such an insightful book but also super entertaining and emotional. There were so many moments that made me laugh out loud and so many that made me close to crying. But it clarified how valuable yet unfair the job of being a doctor is, there are so many problems with how it’s run. A very powerful read, it makes you appreciate the job and the NHS so much more.
October 10, 2025
Very interesting book into the true life of a doctor with all their struggles. Funny in places but also sad
May 29, 2023
excellent
March 11, 2020
Despite rave reviews, I'd not yet read Adam Kay's "This is Going to Hurt" so jumped at the chance to download this Quick Reads* version.
I raced through it in one sitting and can see why it's been so popular. Adam Kay has the ability to mix humour and darkness, making every diary entry come alive. I laughed, I cried. In short, I really enjoyed it.
*Quick Reads is a Reading Agency project aimed at making reading more accessible for adults who may struggle to read. It was launched in 2006 and in 2018, after they lost funding, Jojo Moyes stepped in and offered three years of funding to keep the project going.
https://readingagency.org.uk/adults/q...
I raced through it in one sitting and can see why it's been so popular. Adam Kay has the ability to mix humour and darkness, making every diary entry come alive. I laughed, I cried. In short, I really enjoyed it.
*Quick Reads is a Reading Agency project aimed at making reading more accessible for adults who may struggle to read. It was launched in 2006 and in 2018, after they lost funding, Jojo Moyes stepped in and offered three years of funding to keep the project going.
https://readingagency.org.uk/adults/q...
March 8, 2020
I wholeheartedly support The Reading Agency and the Quick Reads initiative. This book is a fantastic "taster" of Adam Kay's bestselling memoir, one that has made me want to read the full text. Whilst there are many humorous anecdotes, Kay also frankly discusses the strain and stresses that doctors experience, and the more tragic aspects of their work.
March 9, 2020
I bought this quick reads version to see if I would enjoy it before reading the book and I absolutely LOVED it!!! So honest and interesting to see life behind the doctors on the frontline. The ending took me by surprise but this book is a fab read, would definitely recommend!
December 10, 2020
Gives us a real inside on how much do people sacrifice to become a doctor and be able to help people
June 21, 2022
#adamkay skriver om sine erfaringer som gynokologisk lege i England 🏴.
Det er HELT UFORSTÅELIG for meg at legene og sykepleierne klarer den jobben, under så umenneskelige forhold: Adam forteller i boka at de jobber ofte over 12 timers vakter. Hvor de HELE TIDEN har "bleeper'n" på, altså personsøkeren. De blir bleepet i hytt og pine, løper til nødsituasjon til nødsituasjon, han hadde en samtale med en sykesøster som bleepet han, at han måtte komme fordi smertenicået til pasienten hun sto med var skyhøy, og at pasienten truet med å saksøke om han ikke kom! Hvor han svarte rolig, den pasienten jeg står med nå kommer til å dø om jeg går ifra hun nå, hva syns du jeg skal velge?? Det blir stille fra sykesøster, som tilslutt sier, kom så fort du kan da.
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Jeg mener, det er helt crazy tilstander han skriver om. Hvordan beholde vettet/en god psyke i en slik jobb, hvor du er en liten klatt smør over altfor mye brød, I don't get it.
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Samtidig skriver han veldig morsomt og sarkatiskt og, om diverse gjenstander han blir kalt ned på legevakten for å dra ut av vaginale eller anale hulrom😂 Folk. Er. Gærne.
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Anbefaler denne boka til sykehuspersonell, som vil se litt humor inn i hverdagen, og føle de har en på sin side💁♀️💁♂️
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#thisisgoingtohurt #picador #bøker #lese #brabok #helsepersonell #leger #ob #doctors #books #bookstagrammer #booknerd #bookstagram #instabook #instabok
Det er HELT UFORSTÅELIG for meg at legene og sykepleierne klarer den jobben, under så umenneskelige forhold: Adam forteller i boka at de jobber ofte over 12 timers vakter. Hvor de HELE TIDEN har "bleeper'n" på, altså personsøkeren. De blir bleepet i hytt og pine, løper til nødsituasjon til nødsituasjon, han hadde en samtale med en sykesøster som bleepet han, at han måtte komme fordi smertenicået til pasienten hun sto med var skyhøy, og at pasienten truet med å saksøke om han ikke kom! Hvor han svarte rolig, den pasienten jeg står med nå kommer til å dø om jeg går ifra hun nå, hva syns du jeg skal velge?? Det blir stille fra sykesøster, som tilslutt sier, kom så fort du kan da.
.
Jeg mener, det er helt crazy tilstander han skriver om. Hvordan beholde vettet/en god psyke i en slik jobb, hvor du er en liten klatt smør over altfor mye brød, I don't get it.
.
Samtidig skriver han veldig morsomt og sarkatiskt og, om diverse gjenstander han blir kalt ned på legevakten for å dra ut av vaginale eller anale hulrom😂 Folk. Er. Gærne.
.
Anbefaler denne boka til sykehuspersonell, som vil se litt humor inn i hverdagen, og føle de har en på sin side💁♀️💁♂️
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#thisisgoingtohurt #picador #bøker #lese #brabok #helsepersonell #leger #ob #doctors #books #bookstagrammer #booknerd #bookstagram #instabook #instabok
June 6, 2021
This book has been everywhere for a few years now and honestly I honestly didn't want to read the full thing, the lives of NHS workers are pretty well documented by the media. After all the NHS has been described as the closest thing we have to a national religion in this country. Slagging off NHS workers is on par with making disrespectful comments about WW2 veterans. As a result politicians & the press routinely use the NHS as a mechanism to manipulate people which means they are rarely out of the public eye.
When I saw this abridged version at the library, I thought it would be a good compromise and I'm glad I did.
I read it comfortably in a day between doing other things. The writing style was pretty funny and conversational. His heart and humility came though the page and it was all what you would expect. From the job satisfaction of helping people to the sort of absurdity he experienced everyday like THAT kinder egg story. I did feel like it was kind of unfair that he would make jokes about the patients in the staff room, but that was one instance where you couldn't not laugh.
Inevitably this book is political, themes include being overworking, underpaid, the emotional toll of the job and a culture that neglected staff's mental wellbeing.
One thing I realised is that the workload (12 hour shifts + overtime) combine with the stress and mental pressure so that healthcare workers get to the point where they don't have time to release their feelings, decompress or wind down.
Being a doctor is more of a lifestyle than a job & that lifestyle is one that involves death, physical trauma, terminal illness and that can't be healthy for anyone. Especially an organisation like the NHS described in this book that had no concessions for the mental health of their staff at all. Although it might have changed in recent years.
Something that really shocked me about the book was the money. I mean, he's a doctor, he must be making a fair wedge, right? Hmm... kind of. From looking online the pay starts quite low and goes up over the years relative to qualifications, experience and their becoming specialised in a certain area. But in this book I learnt that they have to do unpaid overtime and shell out £100s for their training. So basically they are earning next to nothing.
All in all the NHS doesn't come across well as an organisation. I have much more respect for the front line staff after reading this book but the management and Department of Health and Social Care doesn't come across well at all.
When I saw this abridged version at the library, I thought it would be a good compromise and I'm glad I did.
I read it comfortably in a day between doing other things. The writing style was pretty funny and conversational. His heart and humility came though the page and it was all what you would expect. From the job satisfaction of helping people to the sort of absurdity he experienced everyday like THAT kinder egg story. I did feel like it was kind of unfair that he would make jokes about the patients in the staff room, but that was one instance where you couldn't not laugh.
Inevitably this book is political, themes include being overworking, underpaid, the emotional toll of the job and a culture that neglected staff's mental wellbeing.
One thing I realised is that the workload (12 hour shifts + overtime) combine with the stress and mental pressure so that healthcare workers get to the point where they don't have time to release their feelings, decompress or wind down.
Being a doctor is more of a lifestyle than a job & that lifestyle is one that involves death, physical trauma, terminal illness and that can't be healthy for anyone. Especially an organisation like the NHS described in this book that had no concessions for the mental health of their staff at all. Although it might have changed in recent years.
Something that really shocked me about the book was the money. I mean, he's a doctor, he must be making a fair wedge, right? Hmm... kind of. From looking online the pay starts quite low and goes up over the years relative to qualifications, experience and their becoming specialised in a certain area. But in this book I learnt that they have to do unpaid overtime and shell out £100s for their training. So basically they are earning next to nothing.
All in all the NHS doesn't come across well as an organisation. I have much more respect for the front line staff after reading this book but the management and Department of Health and Social Care doesn't come across well at all.
February 19, 2023
My Experience:
A story of wit, a sense of humour so great (that you would be left toppling over with laughter for hours), and the sharp sting of sorrow which comes with reality - Adam Kay leaves the reader’s cheeks flushed with laughter for one moment, then wet with tears the next moment.
This is the kind of novella which is, not for made the ease of reading only, but also the kind which helps you keep strong - now matter how overwhelming the hurricane that comes your way may be.
An irresistible short story, that will make you want more and more of it, until you finally reach the conclusion.
What It Is About:
This Is Going To Hurt is the memoir/diary of junior doctor, Adam Kay. It gives an insight on what it is like working on the front lines of the NHS, and how wonderful it is when you save a fellow being’s life. Yet, it also provides an insight on how horribly wrong things can truly get within a hospital ward.
A story of wit, a sense of humour so great (that you would be left toppling over with laughter for hours), and the sharp sting of sorrow which comes with reality - Adam Kay leaves the reader’s cheeks flushed with laughter for one moment, then wet with tears the next moment.
This is the kind of novella which is, not for made the ease of reading only, but also the kind which helps you keep strong - now matter how overwhelming the hurricane that comes your way may be.
An irresistible short story, that will make you want more and more of it, until you finally reach the conclusion.
What It Is About:
This Is Going To Hurt is the memoir/diary of junior doctor, Adam Kay. It gives an insight on what it is like working on the front lines of the NHS, and how wonderful it is when you save a fellow being’s life. Yet, it also provides an insight on how horribly wrong things can truly get within a hospital ward.
February 18, 2022
'the depth of the lows is the price you pay for the height of the highs.'
This was really interesting. I kind of knew that the life of a doctor is hard and that we don't hear about the real lows of a doctor's life but reading this made it hit home. It is really sad to think that so many talented people are leaving the job they love because of a failed system. I found reading some of the real life stories harrowing but at the same time it was clear that there are plenty of funny stories that come with the job as well. If you want your eye's opening into the world of doctors then I would recommend this for you.
Dr Adam Kay shares some of the stories of his medical career. He shares some of the highs and some of the lows and ultimately explains why he left the profession he trained so hard to join.
This was really interesting. I kind of knew that the life of a doctor is hard and that we don't hear about the real lows of a doctor's life but reading this made it hit home. It is really sad to think that so many talented people are leaving the job they love because of a failed system. I found reading some of the real life stories harrowing but at the same time it was clear that there are plenty of funny stories that come with the job as well. If you want your eye's opening into the world of doctors then I would recommend this for you.
Dr Adam Kay shares some of the stories of his medical career. He shares some of the highs and some of the lows and ultimately explains why he left the profession he trained so hard to join.
June 6, 2022
Hilarious but true!
An easy read. Any health care professional should read this.
Working within the NHS myself. From reading this book I can completely understand how Dr Kay felt. The lack of empathy and support from seniors, understaffing, underpaid, demoralising situations sadly outweighed the good days.
Adam expresses the highs and lows experienced from one doctor.
Having someone simply ask how was your day….goes a long way that’s for sure.
Tip to the government/ health secretary, trial in the footsteps of a doctor or nurse.
I absolutely love my job. The rewards when you know you have helped someone is amazing. It’s sad to know that many are driven out of the profession for reasons that can actually be fixed.
Well written good insight to the day to day working of a health professional!
An easy read. Any health care professional should read this.
Working within the NHS myself. From reading this book I can completely understand how Dr Kay felt. The lack of empathy and support from seniors, understaffing, underpaid, demoralising situations sadly outweighed the good days.
Adam expresses the highs and lows experienced from one doctor.
Having someone simply ask how was your day….goes a long way that’s for sure.
Tip to the government/ health secretary, trial in the footsteps of a doctor or nurse.
I absolutely love my job. The rewards when you know you have helped someone is amazing. It’s sad to know that many are driven out of the profession for reasons that can actually be fixed.
Well written good insight to the day to day working of a health professional!
July 4, 2024
Dairy entries from an obstetric doctor working in the NHS.
I genuinely thought I was going to enjoy this more. I loved the authors candid insight into the struggles and sacrifices as a doctor working for the NHS. As an NHS nurse myself, I was able to relate to his experiences, and each entry had me recollecting incidents that have happened to me. I loved his humorous entries. These really made me chuckle. We all know that one professional who just doesn't want to be disturbed or who makes silly and unnecessary mistakes. After reading some of the comments, I am aware that some individuals don't like how he portrays members of the nursing and midwifery team, but we do the EXACT same to doctors. It happens unfortunately, but when usually we are really good at recognising that we are one big team and we pull together.
I genuinely thought I was going to enjoy this more. I loved the authors candid insight into the struggles and sacrifices as a doctor working for the NHS. As an NHS nurse myself, I was able to relate to his experiences, and each entry had me recollecting incidents that have happened to me. I loved his humorous entries. These really made me chuckle. We all know that one professional who just doesn't want to be disturbed or who makes silly and unnecessary mistakes. After reading some of the comments, I am aware that some individuals don't like how he portrays members of the nursing and midwifery team, but we do the EXACT same to doctors. It happens unfortunately, but when usually we are really good at recognising that we are one big team and we pull together.
January 4, 2022
Humorous read into the life of a junior doctor
Reminded me of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole when I first started it. Loved the humour and could tell it was his way of dealing with the daily stress. Sad ending and eye opening into how tough life actually is working in a hospital. They basically have no life, can’t make plans and don’t get paid near enough.
I’ve lost faith in our medical system over the years as the focus has gone from health to money for the fat cats and it’s all very sad. These doctors choose a career to help people and just get treated like garbage in return with ridiculous long hours and no life. Still a great, quick read. I finished it in a few hours 🤣
Reminded me of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole when I first started it. Loved the humour and could tell it was his way of dealing with the daily stress. Sad ending and eye opening into how tough life actually is working in a hospital. They basically have no life, can’t make plans and don’t get paid near enough.
I’ve lost faith in our medical system over the years as the focus has gone from health to money for the fat cats and it’s all very sad. These doctors choose a career to help people and just get treated like garbage in return with ridiculous long hours and no life. Still a great, quick read. I finished it in a few hours 🤣
April 21, 2025
Honestly, I thought it was a bit too long. Lots of anecdotes of course, some quite funny and others quite sad. However it just really felt like there was no real conducting lines (not that this is too bad really, but it just made it hard to want to go back to it to finish it).
However the very last part: heart wrenching. It was sad beyond compare and I felt so much empathy for the author.
So it was a bit too long for my taste, but it did explain the state of the NHS and what doctors are experiencing. All the issues that only seem to get worse. All of which could cost at the end, a patient's health or life.
This book explains this reality.
However the very last part: heart wrenching. It was sad beyond compare and I felt so much empathy for the author.
So it was a bit too long for my taste, but it did explain the state of the NHS and what doctors are experiencing. All the issues that only seem to get worse. All of which could cost at the end, a patient's health or life.
This book explains this reality.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2025
OMGOSHH!!! This was such a good book. A real life case of a gynaecologist dealing with patients. And he had a c section role too. Tells us about his whole junior doc journey. Some are just too funny you’d pause just to laugh and show your friends what other shocking thing you’ve just seen in this book🤣. LOVED THIS BOOK XX. And I recommend it 100%. It’s a diary of gynaecologist!! You can imagine all the tea he’s spilled over his field of work in the nhs😝 with date entries, personal comments and what else..😛. One of good reads in 2024.
September 3, 2020
Even though it was just an abridged version of the book, I found it very poignant and worth a read. Parts had me laughing, other parts had me cringing and different parts, especially the ending, had me feeling numb. Mainly because this is real life, real stories and real people.
A bittersweet book but well worth a read. Since it was the quick Reads edition, I had it finished over a single evening which was nice and cozy.
A bittersweet book but well worth a read. Since it was the quick Reads edition, I had it finished over a single evening which was nice and cozy.
February 8, 2024
Short but gets right to the point
I loved everything about this quick read! It reminded me of my time as a CNA working in the nursing home and hospital. Some days you will have good days and other days you will endure the bad. The job was rewarding but it surely takes a toll on you. I enjoyed reading the stories Adam shared. They brought me joy. If you are looking for something quick to get you back into the habit of reading or something light and hearty, I would recommend.
I loved everything about this quick read! It reminded me of my time as a CNA working in the nursing home and hospital. Some days you will have good days and other days you will endure the bad. The job was rewarding but it surely takes a toll on you. I enjoyed reading the stories Adam shared. They brought me joy. If you are looking for something quick to get you back into the habit of reading or something light and hearty, I would recommend.
June 12, 2020
If walls could talk !
Only a medic can appreciate the 5 stars this book deserves. Having spent 45 years as a nurse from junior to senior management it is sobering to read Adam's accounts. We lose so many talented Drs and Nurses, we are obviously not worth retaining ? The accounts in this book are so funny and yet so so sad, and remain comparatively mild.
Only a medic can appreciate the 5 stars this book deserves. Having spent 45 years as a nurse from junior to senior management it is sobering to read Adam's accounts. We lose so many talented Drs and Nurses, we are obviously not worth retaining ? The accounts in this book are so funny and yet so so sad, and remain comparatively mild.
December 23, 2023
I love Adam Kay's dry humour and writing style that makes me laugh out loud throughout all of his books that I've read. This book is really sad though and makes you feel for all of the NHS staff and patients who suffer because of a broken system yet get blamed for it. I will definitely be reading the full version of this.
May 23, 2024
I only read the quick reads version but I had been aware of the main book for a while. Highly recommended and maybe I should have read the main book. A nice taster if you aren't sure if you wanted to read the longer version. It'll still give you an idea about the long hours and the reasons why he ended up leaving the profession.
March 22, 2025
I really enjoyed this book and with it being diary entries it was easier to read when time was limited. I don't think I could do this job with the number of hours, having to cancel plans a lot of the time and working double shifts a lot of hard work. Some stories are hard to read about and may make you squirm but I really enjoyed reading it.
April 16, 2020
Really funny and so informative. I have learned a lot and gained a lot of respect for the NHS as a result of reading this book. It wasn't as sad and gut-wrenching as I heard it was going to be though, but nonetheless a really good, funny book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews