What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

I remember reading a very long and very dusty book, dating (I think) from the XIXth century, about a young boy growing up in a small town who dreams of becoming a doctor.

He starts by following a country doctor around, and eventually goes to med school.

I vaguely remember him being very excited about draining an abscess on somebody's neck.

Thanks a lot!

That's kind of gross.

Anyhooo...can you remember anymore info? I'm going to assume it's not All Creatures Great and Small???

Forget it. That was a veterinarian.

Sounds a tiny bit like Babbitt, although that was early XXth century, and got his start as a doctor in the country.

I just read Babbitt, and I don't recall anything like that...as a matter of fact, I can't imagine him begin eager about anything!

The Citadel by AJ Cronin? Early 20th century I think, about a doctor. It's been years since I read it though so I can't remember any details whatsoever.

It was made into a PBS movie with Ben Cross.

"I just read Babbitt, and I don't recall anything like that"

Um, I meant Arrowsmith. Still probably not right, but at least it's a doctor, and he was a country doctor. Until he wasn't.

I also read Arrowsmith now very long ago...he was too moody and depressed to find joy releasing pus from a boil... :)

I hated that book. Normally I love Sinclair Lewis, but ech! That was horrid. He was horrid!

Ohh, I second the Citadel.

I would swear I read this book as well, but The Citadel doesn't ring a bell at all (not that it means it's not right!) I'll keep thinking, too...

Although, I just looked up Citadel, and I'm positive the one I read was set in America, not Great Britain.

You may be thinking of Not as a Stranger by Morton Thompson. It was set in the U.S.
I read it about 30 years ago, so I can't remember many details, but it was a very well known book, and adapted into a movie in the 50s.

None of those sound familiar, but thank you all so much!

From the book's style and its comfortable idealism, I think it was older than mid-twentieth century - definitely pre-WWII, and probably pre-WWI as well.

Thanks again for your suggestions!

This is probably totally left field, but the thing about draining an abscess rang a bell. Could it be either "The Physician" or "Shaman" by Noah Gordon (Shaman is probably the more likely of the two). If so - GREAT books :)

Alina, are you still looking for this or did you find it?

Frank G. Slaughter wrote several books about doctors.

Lobstergirl wrote: "Alina, are you still looking for this or did you find it?"

No response in 2 years. Moving to Abandoned.