What do you think?
Rate this book
Disputed Passage
432 pages
First published January 1, 1939
24 people are currently reading
235 people want to read
About the author
Lloyd C. Douglas
121 books666 followersLloyd C. Douglas was a noteworthy American minister and author. He spent part of his boyhood in Monroeville, Indiana, Wilmot, Indiana and Florence, Kentucky, where his father, Alexander Jackson Douglas, was pastor of the Hopeful Lutheran Church. He died in Los Angeles, California.
Douglas was one of the most popular American authors of his time, although he didn't write his first novel until he was 50.
His written works were of a moral, didactic, and distinctly religious tone. His first novel, Magnificent Obsession, was an immediate and sensational success. Critics held that his type of fiction was in the tradition of the great religious writings of an earlier generation, such as, Ben-Hur and Quo Vadis.
Douglas is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.
Douglas was one of the most popular American authors of his time, although he didn't write his first novel until he was 50.
His written works were of a moral, didactic, and distinctly religious tone. His first novel, Magnificent Obsession, was an immediate and sensational success. Critics held that his type of fiction was in the tradition of the great religious writings of an earlier generation, such as, Ben-Hur and Quo Vadis.
Douglas is buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 28, 2019
O carte care, cu nostalgie, mi-a adus aminte de memorabila "Cartea de la San Michel"!
"(...), cum timpul pare să stea în loc în anumite ocazii, și cât de iute trece în altele. Pesemne că mintea noastră nu dispune de aceleași instrumente de precizie pentru măsurarea timpului."
"(...), cum timpul pare să stea în loc în anumite ocazii, și cât de iute trece în altele. Pesemne că mintea noastră nu dispune de aceleași instrumente de precizie pentru măsurarea timpului."
May 25, 2011
As this book opens, you are vividly transported to a 1930s-era medical school. It’s the first day, and as you observe, a classroom fills with expectant young students. This first lecture is famous; it is surrounded by legend and lore, and there are countless doctors across the land who, having graduated from that fictional Michigan-based medical school, still have vivid and unpleasant memories of their first day and that first lecture.
The professor who addresses the group is firmly convinced that all other relationships and all other emotions must be subsumed by a study of anatomy and neurosurgery if one is to be great in the field. He harshly points out that only 10 percent of the class will ultimately succeed. On that day, he picks on one student in particular, John Wesley Bevin. The young man manages to deliver as good as he gets in that first lecture, setting him apart among the students and earning the hatred of the professor, Tubby Forrester.
Bevin continues to progress, and despite the dislike between the two men, they work closely together until Bevin has embraced much of Forrester’s philosophy—that the only real love worth manifesting is a love for the science of medicine; that all other love and sentiment only serves as a distraction.
Young Bevin has not always believed such; the book artfully and brilliantly describes Christmas memories with his sister, and for years after he embarks on a highly successful career as a surgeon and faculty member at the fictional university, Christmas is a time of restlessness and difficulty for him.
Upon his graduation from medical school, while awaiting his evening meal at a crowded restaurant, Bevin overhears a conversation between a Dr. Cunningham and a singularly attractive young woman. Cunningham is espousing the virtue and necessity of treating the whole patient, not just the illness. Because of his long association and hard work with Forrester, Bevin is conditioned to reject such emotional nonsense out of hand. But he is unable to forget the exotic beauty of the young woman.
Some years later, they meet again. This time, her nephew is ill and under the care of Tubby Forrester, who has in turn, brought Bevin in to assist with the young man’s recovery. Bevin and the young woman, Audrey Hilton, draw closer together, and through Dr. Cunningham, the two find even more time to associate with one another and explore frontiers of emotion Bevin either never knew or has long ago lost.
This book touched me deeply; it speaks to medical philosophies extant today. There are those who, for whatever reasons, are highly uncomfortable focusing on the individual—almost seeking refuge in treating the illness
Be careful that you don’t simply reduce Tubby Forrester to a Scrooge-like caricature. This author certainly doesn’t write him that way. Instead, he brilliantly shows more than he tells—the hallmark of a truly excellent writer. You see the war within Tubby Forrester as he espouses his draconian philosophies yet finds himself reaching out to his fellow man when he is sure no one else knows. The author even gracefully shows you how Forrester became the man he is as this book unfurls. Forrester is anything but two dimensional, and Douglas crafts all of his characters wisely and well.
Rarely will you read a romance in which you’ll more ardently cheer for two people to succeed as you do for Jack and Audrey. Although an American by birth and genetics, she was raised in Hong Kong in a very strictly Chinese home. So while her looks are Caucasian enough, her mindset is Chinese in nature. That makes for a most interesting combination to flesh out and craft for the author, and he does it believably and brilliantly.
This book is nearly 75 years old, but it holds up as if it were written recently. It’s squeaky clean. The word “damn” is about as spicy and salty as this one gets, so if you tend to be careful about books that include sexual descriptions or profanity, you need not worry about being offended or put off by this book. It is a magnificently told story that focuses on the age-old questions of whether ones successes must be achieved at the expense of love or whether love ultimately accelerates and magnifies one’s ability to be a success. Both Tubby Forrester and his protégé Jack Bevin take a fascinating journey, achieving different passages of life. Incidentally, those who aren’t big fans of preachy books need not fear this one. It’s not at all religious in terms of someone being miraculously converted to a specific belief system. Indeed, it explores some of the hypocrisies of main-line Christianity thoughtfully without being offensive or dismissive of Christianity.
There's a good bit of suspense here,too, as you wonder whether young Jack an Audrey will ultimately succeed for several reasons.
The professor who addresses the group is firmly convinced that all other relationships and all other emotions must be subsumed by a study of anatomy and neurosurgery if one is to be great in the field. He harshly points out that only 10 percent of the class will ultimately succeed. On that day, he picks on one student in particular, John Wesley Bevin. The young man manages to deliver as good as he gets in that first lecture, setting him apart among the students and earning the hatred of the professor, Tubby Forrester.
Bevin continues to progress, and despite the dislike between the two men, they work closely together until Bevin has embraced much of Forrester’s philosophy—that the only real love worth manifesting is a love for the science of medicine; that all other love and sentiment only serves as a distraction.
Young Bevin has not always believed such; the book artfully and brilliantly describes Christmas memories with his sister, and for years after he embarks on a highly successful career as a surgeon and faculty member at the fictional university, Christmas is a time of restlessness and difficulty for him.
Upon his graduation from medical school, while awaiting his evening meal at a crowded restaurant, Bevin overhears a conversation between a Dr. Cunningham and a singularly attractive young woman. Cunningham is espousing the virtue and necessity of treating the whole patient, not just the illness. Because of his long association and hard work with Forrester, Bevin is conditioned to reject such emotional nonsense out of hand. But he is unable to forget the exotic beauty of the young woman.
Some years later, they meet again. This time, her nephew is ill and under the care of Tubby Forrester, who has in turn, brought Bevin in to assist with the young man’s recovery. Bevin and the young woman, Audrey Hilton, draw closer together, and through Dr. Cunningham, the two find even more time to associate with one another and explore frontiers of emotion Bevin either never knew or has long ago lost.
This book touched me deeply; it speaks to medical philosophies extant today. There are those who, for whatever reasons, are highly uncomfortable focusing on the individual—almost seeking refuge in treating the illness
Be careful that you don’t simply reduce Tubby Forrester to a Scrooge-like caricature. This author certainly doesn’t write him that way. Instead, he brilliantly shows more than he tells—the hallmark of a truly excellent writer. You see the war within Tubby Forrester as he espouses his draconian philosophies yet finds himself reaching out to his fellow man when he is sure no one else knows. The author even gracefully shows you how Forrester became the man he is as this book unfurls. Forrester is anything but two dimensional, and Douglas crafts all of his characters wisely and well.
Rarely will you read a romance in which you’ll more ardently cheer for two people to succeed as you do for Jack and Audrey. Although an American by birth and genetics, she was raised in Hong Kong in a very strictly Chinese home. So while her looks are Caucasian enough, her mindset is Chinese in nature. That makes for a most interesting combination to flesh out and craft for the author, and he does it believably and brilliantly.
This book is nearly 75 years old, but it holds up as if it were written recently. It’s squeaky clean. The word “damn” is about as spicy and salty as this one gets, so if you tend to be careful about books that include sexual descriptions or profanity, you need not worry about being offended or put off by this book. It is a magnificently told story that focuses on the age-old questions of whether ones successes must be achieved at the expense of love or whether love ultimately accelerates and magnifies one’s ability to be a success. Both Tubby Forrester and his protégé Jack Bevin take a fascinating journey, achieving different passages of life. Incidentally, those who aren’t big fans of preachy books need not fear this one. It’s not at all religious in terms of someone being miraculously converted to a specific belief system. Indeed, it explores some of the hypocrisies of main-line Christianity thoughtfully without being offensive or dismissive of Christianity.
There's a good bit of suspense here,too, as you wonder whether young Jack an Audrey will ultimately succeed for several reasons.
April 14, 2019
A passage is a way to get from one place to another. A disputed passage means there is disagreement about how to get from one place to another. This novel, which takes place in the 30's, revolves around a conflict in the medical world about how doctors should treat patients. One doctor believes that the medical man should focus only on the disease process in order to most properly and efficiently treat the illness, while another believes that the doctor should look at the whole person - why did the illness come about, what environmental and social factors may have contributed, and what influence can the doctor have beyond simply treating the injury or illness to heal the whole patient and change his/her life for the better.
Lloyd Douglas creates a fictional medical school, and his characters play out this dilemma in a dramatic way. This story shows its age, as it has prejudices of race and class common to its day. But the lesson of the story remains clear - the doctor holds not only the patient's physical health in his hands, but also has a tremendous influence on the patient's world and can be a force for tremendous good far beyond the confines of the hospital.
Lloyd Douglas creates a fictional medical school, and his characters play out this dilemma in a dramatic way. This story shows its age, as it has prejudices of race and class common to its day. But the lesson of the story remains clear - the doctor holds not only the patient's physical health in his hands, but also has a tremendous influence on the patient's world and can be a force for tremendous good far beyond the confines of the hospital.
May 12, 2025
I must have read this years ago when I was on a Lloyd C. Douglas binge, because I remember the main female character quite clearly. I didn't remember anything else about it, though.
Don't read it expecting a black-and-white Grace Livingston Hill-type salvation story, or even Douglas's The Robe; this is more of a mainstream novel, though there is lots of speculative talk about Christianity and Buddhism. There is also, unfortunately, a lot of casual racism by various characters in the book, though it's not necessarily meant to make them look good.
I found it interesting that the plot of the 1939 film version veered so far off from the book; I guess the producers didn't think Douglas's ideas of action and romance were enough to interest moviegoers.
Overall: not bad, somewhat dated, and just a bit disappointing as I was hoping (after all that talk) for a bit more spiritual resolution. But I guess that's life.
Don't read it expecting a black-and-white Grace Livingston Hill-type salvation story, or even Douglas's The Robe; this is more of a mainstream novel, though there is lots of speculative talk about Christianity and Buddhism. There is also, unfortunately, a lot of casual racism by various characters in the book, though it's not necessarily meant to make them look good.
I found it interesting that the plot of the 1939 film version veered so far off from the book; I guess the producers didn't think Douglas's ideas of action and romance were enough to interest moviegoers.
Overall: not bad, somewhat dated, and just a bit disappointing as I was hoping (after all that talk) for a bit more spiritual resolution. But I guess that's life.
June 23, 2018
This man knew how to write.
May 23, 2015
It is often said that man is the sum total of his experiences. Disputed Passage highlights this saying perfectly in its two main characters.
When Jack Beavan attends his very first Anatomy lecture in Medical School, his life is forever changed by the introductory address delivered by the lecturer, famed neurologist Dr. Forrester. Irreverently referred to as Tubby by colleagues, friends and students alike, Dr. Forrester's address stirs something deep within Jack - ambition, determination, pride. That Tubby and Jack get off to a wrong start in that first lecture is unfortunate, but their animosity is the foundation of a very strongly told story.
This work, to me, is as brilliant as Magnificent Obsession, one of my all-time favourite novels, and by the same author.
There are a few Bible passages quoted in the course of the story, but this is by no means a 'Christian novel'. It is, rather, a novel which details the struggles, the passions, the determined ambitions of a young Medical student. It is a tale which brings together a young student and a hardened Professor and underlines the making of one's character from one's experiences. It is, ultimately, a novel which highlights a very basic truth: that lessons are to be learned from every person - whether one happens to like that person, or not.
When Jack Beavan attends his very first Anatomy lecture in Medical School, his life is forever changed by the introductory address delivered by the lecturer, famed neurologist Dr. Forrester. Irreverently referred to as Tubby by colleagues, friends and students alike, Dr. Forrester's address stirs something deep within Jack - ambition, determination, pride. That Tubby and Jack get off to a wrong start in that first lecture is unfortunate, but their animosity is the foundation of a very strongly told story.
This work, to me, is as brilliant as Magnificent Obsession, one of my all-time favourite novels, and by the same author.
There are a few Bible passages quoted in the course of the story, but this is by no means a 'Christian novel'. It is, rather, a novel which details the struggles, the passions, the determined ambitions of a young Medical student. It is a tale which brings together a young student and a hardened Professor and underlines the making of one's character from one's experiences. It is, ultimately, a novel which highlights a very basic truth: that lessons are to be learned from every person - whether one happens to like that person, or not.
August 15, 2016
In a box full of books from my wife’s aunt and uncle, was a selection of Lloyd Douglas’s books. I took out the five books and put them on my shelf. Then I wondered what the 1930’s book would hold.
Disputed Passage is about two men, Jack and Tubby. The first scene is set in a university classroom where Tubby is the Professor, Jack the student.
I loved the whit, fire and sparks that flowed from the, at first, two different characters.
At a time when the medical profession defined professionalism as not becoming involved in the personal life of patients, the reader sees the progression of this belief.
Jack becomes like his teacher and becomes rigid, that is until another doctor introduces a new concept—to make relationships an important part of the medical profession.
I loved this book. It was a time of innocence. And also a time before polio was cured.
One of my favorite lines was, “Can’t unhappen it by being bitter.”
Disputed Passage is about two men, Jack and Tubby. The first scene is set in a university classroom where Tubby is the Professor, Jack the student.
I loved the whit, fire and sparks that flowed from the, at first, two different characters.
At a time when the medical profession defined professionalism as not becoming involved in the personal life of patients, the reader sees the progression of this belief.
Jack becomes like his teacher and becomes rigid, that is until another doctor introduces a new concept—to make relationships an important part of the medical profession.
I loved this book. It was a time of innocence. And also a time before polio was cured.
One of my favorite lines was, “Can’t unhappen it by being bitter.”
February 28, 2019
Let's just say that after reading The Robe, I had great expectations for this one. It is a good book, and I enjoyed it. I stayed up late many a night not wanting to put it down, but, knowing what I know about the author and his potential, I was a little disappointed. But, authors don't write instant classics every time they pull out their pen to write.
This is definitely a good read! Well enjoyed and well written. Just not as great as The Robe.
This is definitely a good read! Well enjoyed and well written. Just not as great as The Robe.
July 13, 2013
written in the 1930's so interesting in that respect. and maybe set in that time and profession the premise of years of heads down determination and nothing else is pitiful...... a young man's life from medical school and some years after.... how we view China then and now
November 8, 2007
My dad recommended this book to me while in high school. He just referred to it the other day which took me back 20 years since I read it. Thought provoking and memorable!
February 21, 2021
I have had this book for quite some time. I found the cover rather artistic and always wonder what the dust jacket may have looked like, if there were one. So, I finally decided to lift it from my shelf and read the bloody thing!
I was at first slightly miffed at the whole tediousness of the elongated descriptions of the characters lives. However, I persevered and discovered myself actually wondering where this was going. Tubby seemed to be a rather stick in the mud and I feared for Jack in becoming too alike to him. Jack being the student who caught Tubby's annoyance yet at the same time respect.
In time the book changes tone and we discover a rather nice little side story in another character Audrey. Jack and she seem to have an enamoured relationship of understanding that they are alike yet different, needing each other yet aloof. Her story is one of intrigue and you may feel she is too aloof for Jack to be interested in, yet that is the very fact of his interest, just like his laboratory she is something to be studied.
I found the last 1/4 of the book far more riveting than the first 3/4's and felt it would have made a terrific movie. Full of gangster types from the 30's, hardships, medical dramas. I did google it and discovered that it was a movie! Disputed Passage was filmed at the time of the second world war and was altered quite dramatically in the storyline to fit the times. I had totally forgotten that I had seen that movie many many years ago. No wonder in my mind I felt it would make a good movie.
The descriptive is heavy and if you are not used to that may make you feel put off, however, do try to bear with it! In the end, you will learn much from these characters. In fact, it was quite amazing to see that a story written 83 or so years ago could be so contemporary in many ways.
A delight and a book I shall always remember in years to come.
I was at first slightly miffed at the whole tediousness of the elongated descriptions of the characters lives. However, I persevered and discovered myself actually wondering where this was going. Tubby seemed to be a rather stick in the mud and I feared for Jack in becoming too alike to him. Jack being the student who caught Tubby's annoyance yet at the same time respect.
In time the book changes tone and we discover a rather nice little side story in another character Audrey. Jack and she seem to have an enamoured relationship of understanding that they are alike yet different, needing each other yet aloof. Her story is one of intrigue and you may feel she is too aloof for Jack to be interested in, yet that is the very fact of his interest, just like his laboratory she is something to be studied.
I found the last 1/4 of the book far more riveting than the first 3/4's and felt it would have made a terrific movie. Full of gangster types from the 30's, hardships, medical dramas. I did google it and discovered that it was a movie! Disputed Passage was filmed at the time of the second world war and was altered quite dramatically in the storyline to fit the times. I had totally forgotten that I had seen that movie many many years ago. No wonder in my mind I felt it would make a good movie.
The descriptive is heavy and if you are not used to that may make you feel put off, however, do try to bear with it! In the end, you will learn much from these characters. In fact, it was quite amazing to see that a story written 83 or so years ago could be so contemporary in many ways.
A delight and a book I shall always remember in years to come.
June 14, 2008
This is the third novel I've read by this author. The first two were White Banners and Green Light. I would recommend these as well. Douglas wrote back in the 1930s and his stories hold up well over time.
This particular story is about a young medical student in his quest to be a great surgeon. He attends a medical school that is headed by a brilliant yet undeniably lacking-in-social-skills doctor with the improbable name of Tubby Forrester. Dr. Forrester is a strong proponent that doctors must retain an objective distance from patients to be able to implement the best treatment. He and our protagonist immediately butt heads, but as it becomes apparent what promise out budding doctor holds, Dr. Forrester goads as well as aids our hero to push himself to be the best.
Dr. Forrester and our hero continue to almost hate each other, but they also work well together. Add to this mix the appearance of an old college mate of Dr. Forrester's who does not espouse the same medical theories Forrester does. This doctor maintains that a patient should be treated holistically and not just for his specific ailment.
The themes in this book are surprisingly current. Further, the author writes a great narrative that contains conflict, romance, a touch of humor, and a satisfying ending.
This particular story is about a young medical student in his quest to be a great surgeon. He attends a medical school that is headed by a brilliant yet undeniably lacking-in-social-skills doctor with the improbable name of Tubby Forrester. Dr. Forrester is a strong proponent that doctors must retain an objective distance from patients to be able to implement the best treatment. He and our protagonist immediately butt heads, but as it becomes apparent what promise out budding doctor holds, Dr. Forrester goads as well as aids our hero to push himself to be the best.
Dr. Forrester and our hero continue to almost hate each other, but they also work well together. Add to this mix the appearance of an old college mate of Dr. Forrester's who does not espouse the same medical theories Forrester does. This doctor maintains that a patient should be treated holistically and not just for his specific ailment.
The themes in this book are surprisingly current. Further, the author writes a great narrative that contains conflict, romance, a touch of humor, and a satisfying ending.
December 6, 2016
O surpriza foarte plăcuta după multe încercări nereușite de a exersa cititul. Deși am pornit la drum nițel timorat de prefața cărții care părea a dezvălui finalul ei, pana la urma s-a dovedit a fi un roman interesant, cu o poveste aparte si fără hickupuri de plictiseala. Probabil intra in top 20 cărți citite ever. Sau hai top 100 daca nu, daca includ ( ca sa dea numărul de cărți ), si manualele de fizica recitite in vara anului Domnului 1996, când licean fiind am fost nevoit sa aprofundez materia mea favorita pentru o extra sesiune de vara. Spre fericirea tuturor nu mi-am dus niciodată pana la capăt amenințarea adresată profesoarei cum ca voi urma cursurile institutului de fizica atomica de la Moscova.
August 26, 2010
I have read quite a few of his books, but I keep this one by my bed at all times. It is just one of those books that I love to reread. It is really touching and I love the struggle the characters go through. LOVE IT.
October 19, 2010
Loved the book! Douglas is a FINE writer, I enjoyed the storyline between his professor and the conflict that brings out the best of in both protagonists. I also loved the romance, and the details, it was a definite page-turner!!
September 2, 2020
As already stated by others the book would much better do with 150 pages (at least) less. It is extremely verbose and more than once annoyingly redundant. Whereas the medical details are quite interesting, the conflict between the two main figures is incomprehensible. In the view of the fact, that both are strong, ambitious characters there may be issues, even aversion, but no cause to become deadly enemies, as the author tries to suggest during the whole novel. A scientist and medical doctor with a sad but hidden history may try to compensate his grief by work, but he will not take it out on the whole world, particularly when he is such an outstanding specialist as 'Tubby' Forrester. Summarizing, the acting of the main characters is not always reasonable, and the hostile relationship between them completely 'artificial', unfortunately damaging the readers' fun.
September 3, 2023
Chiar daca am recitit aceasta carte ( prima data am citit o in anul 2015) , pot sa zic ca acum mi-a placut si mai mult decat prima data cand am pus mana pe ea !
Jack Beaven este un iubitor al propriei sale meserii dar ii era frica de mrejele dragostea care il puteau invalui !
O cunoaste pe Audrey sau Lan Ying doar ca nu isi doreste o viata cu ea ci doar sa ramana prieteni !
Profesorul Tubby chiar o considera un obstacol pentru propria cariera a tanarului doctor
Jack Beaven este un iubitor al propriei sale meserii dar ii era frica de mrejele dragostea care il puteau invalui !
O cunoaste pe Audrey sau Lan Ying doar ca nu isi doreste o viata cu ea ci doar sa ramana prieteni !
Profesorul Tubby chiar o considera un obstacol pentru propria cariera a tanarului doctor
January 18, 2024
I thought it was rather an odd book for Mr. Douglas, and was often rather heavy-going, but still enjoyed it, and felt I learned some things from it that I wouldn't have expected. Someone looked at the book, and asked me if I had any idea how long it had been since you could buy a paperback new for $.35. He definitely had a good point there.
November 2, 2020
As I was browsing Library shelves I saw this book, the author LLoyd G. Douglas. Since he is the author of The Robe, one of my favorite books I selected this as my next read. It was a great choice. It's old, published in 1939. I loved it. Finished it this morning at 3:00 a.m. :-)
October 22, 2022
4 stars for enjoyment. For an excellent review, read Nolan's review further down on the page.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews