The Doctor Stories

by Richard Selzer

The Doctor Stories is Richard Selzer's selection of his own short stories, culled from three decades of writing, along with two new stories and an introduction detailing his literary beginnings. Drawing from his classic books, Selzer portrays the interactions of people at moments of crisis and drama. His signature style is apparent in every humane, observant, passionately descriptive, and particular, always connecting the intimate with the largest questions of life and death.

Genres: Short Stories, Medicine, Medical, Fiction

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Elizabeth Nesbit-comer]

could not finish. was not actually doctor stories.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read more than half the stories (there are a couple dozen in all) in this collection and couldn't really muster the energy to continue. I read his story/essay "Imelda" in the Norton Anthology of Contemporary Non-Fiction and enjoyed that and though I might gain a lot from his collection since I'm intrigued by medicine. But his writing just isn't my style. His stories tend to be somewhat long and overdrawn and the narrator's not too intriguing or differentiated. A lot of eloquent language and stream of consciousness but not as much content as I'd like and intriguing characters. Perhaps I'll delve into his other stuff at a later time.

[Lisa Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Richard Selzer deserves a lot more fame than he apparently has. His writing is beautiful, glorious, poetic. Alas, I'm just not a big fan of short stories. I struggle through even the best of collections. I need to be in the MIDDLE of something in order to be compelled to go back to it during my busy life. Finishing one of the short stories is like being done - I have a hard time getting back to it. Anyway, Selzer is/was a medical doctor and the theme that ties all the stories together is a medical theme. The stories themselves are great - and you'll love this book if you love medicine and short stories.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Selzer captures the essence of human drama both medical and non-medical in his true and fictional collection of short stories. He challenges the modern conception of the role of a doctor as a person in a white coat that diagnoses and prescribes. Instead, he suggests all sentient beings serve as doctors to one another in times of pain and need.

[Sue · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not care for the writing style.

Author or editor, someone crunched three sentences into one, then threw in fancy words. Made reading the stuff very convoluted.

Clear writing, like clear handwriting, that's the key. Maybe even some humor to go along.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this book will never end.

[Marian Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Selzer would say there is always room for improvement. I gave a few of his books to my grandson who is a student at Mayo Clinic.