Geneva Li
asked
David Z. Hirsch:
I really enjoyed your book but I have to ask. Just how much of this is actually true?
David Z. Hirsch
Hi, Geneva. I get asked this question quite often and am happy to clarify. My book is a novel, not a memoir. Absolutely nothing in this book is true. Having said that…
Naturally I cribbed my own experiences in medical school along with those of a few others I know to come up with story ideas. And while I always made sure to deviate from reality far enough to legitimately call this fiction, I felt a strong obligation to get the med school feel as accurate as possible. All the despair and elation, the camaraderie and alienation, the romp through the vile and the ludicrous, is genuine. How I got there tells you more about the whimsical nature of my kooky mind, sure, but the feel is dead-on.
Never for a moment did I consider writing a memoir. I believe fiction is the surest medium to mine the deepest truths. Thanks for your question!
Naturally I cribbed my own experiences in medical school along with those of a few others I know to come up with story ideas. And while I always made sure to deviate from reality far enough to legitimately call this fiction, I felt a strong obligation to get the med school feel as accurate as possible. All the despair and elation, the camaraderie and alienation, the romp through the vile and the ludicrous, is genuine. How I got there tells you more about the whimsical nature of my kooky mind, sure, but the feel is dead-on.
Never for a moment did I consider writing a memoir. I believe fiction is the surest medium to mine the deepest truths. Thanks for your question!
More Answered Questions
Karen Terrell
asked
David Z. Hirsch:
David, a while ago you sent me an email about another book you'd written - but I can't find your message now. Do you have a new book out, yet? I so enjoyed *Didn't Get Frazzled* and look forward to reading another Hirsch book, if there is one. Karen Molenaar terrell
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