Down from Troy: A Doctor Comes of Age

Down from Troy is a physician's memoir about growing up in Troy, New York during the 1930s and early 1940s. The author recounts his childhood as the son of a family doctor and his mother, an opera singer. Selzer chronicles his path to becoming a surgeon, from his early fascination with his father's medical practice to his training and eventual career. The narrative alternates between his youth in Troy and his later experiences in medicine, showing the connections between past and present. The book follows dual threads of medical practice and family relationships, particularly focusing on the influence of Selzer's parents. These personal stories are set against the backdrop of Depression-era Troy and the changing landscape of American medicine. At its core, this memoir explores the intersection of art and medicine, and how early experiences shape a person's calling in life. The work stands as both a historical record of mid-20th century medical practice and a meditation on the human elements of healing.

Readers describe this medical memoir as poetic and intimate, appreciating Selzer's detailed observations of his childhood in Troy, NY and his path to becoming a surgeon. The book resonates with medical professionals who connect with his accounts of physician life and patient care. Readers highlighted: - Vivid descriptions of 1930s small-town life - Complex portrayal of his relationship with his father, also a doctor - Raw, honest depictions of medical practice - Literary quality of the writing Common criticisms: - Narrative can feel disjointed and meandering - Some medical scenes are graphic and disturbing - Writing style is too flowery for some tastes Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (157 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (21 ratings) One reader noted: "Selzer writes with the precision of a surgeon and the soul of a poet." Another commented: "The non-linear structure made it hard to follow at times, but the individual scenes are unforgettable."

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🩺 Richard Selzer worked as a surgeon at Yale School of Medicine for 25 years before becoming a full-time writer, bringing authenticity to his medical narratives. 📚 The memoir explores Selzer's childhood in Troy, New York during the 1930s, where his father was a family doctor who made house calls with young Richard in tow. 🎭 Selzer's writing style has been praised for its lyrical quality and ability to blend medicine with literature, earning him comparisons to physician-writers like William Carlos Williams and Anton Chekhov. 🏥 The book vividly depicts how medicine was practiced before modern technology, including details about his father treating patients during the Great Depression, often accepting goods instead of money as payment. ✍️ Down from Troy was published in 1992 and represents part of Selzer's larger body of work, which includes multiple essay collections and memoirs that helped establish "medical humanities" as a literary genre.