Diary

Diary chronicles surgeon Richard Selzer's observations and experiences from his time practicing medicine. The entries span several decades, combining medical cases with personal reflections on life, death, and the human body. Selzer documents his encounters with patients, fellow doctors, and hospital staff through detailed journal entries written in precise, clinical language. His background as both a surgeon and writer allows him to bridge the technical and human elements of medicine. The format alternates between straightforward medical accounts and contemplative passages about the nature of healing and mortality. Selzer records the daily routines, challenges, and unexpected moments that make up a surgeon's life. Through these collected writings, Selzer examines the intersection of science and humanity, exploring how medical practice shapes our understanding of life's fundamental questions. His perspective as both healer and observer offers insights into the complex relationship between doctors and patients.

Readers note Selzer's intimate glimpses into his life as a surgeon through daily journal entries spanning multiple decades. Several reviews highlight his honest depiction of medical procedures and patient interactions. Likes: - Raw, detailed medical observations - Philosophical reflections on mortality - Poetic descriptions of surgical work - Balance between technical and emotional content Dislikes: - Some entries feel disjointed or repetitive - Medical terminology can be dense for casual readers - Several reviewers found the pacing uneven - A few mentioned wanting more personal revelations Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (12 ratings) From a Goodreads review: "His surgical entries read like a blend between anatomical study and poetry." Another reviewer notes: "The day-to-day glimpses felt authentic but sometimes mundane." LibraryThing users rate it 3.8/5 (6 ratings), with one reviewer calling it "beautifully written but occasionally meandering."

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🔸 Richard Selzer wrote "Diary" while recovering from Legionnaire's disease, which nearly killed him in 1991 and left him in a two-week coma. 🔸 Before becoming a writer, Selzer was a surgeon for 31 years at Yale New Haven Hospital, and many of his works, including parts of "Diary," blend medical knowledge with literary prose. 🔸 The book spans exactly one year of Selzer's life, from July 1, 1993, to June 30, 1994, and was written entirely in his home in New Haven, Connecticut. 🔸 Throughout "Diary," Selzer frequently references Montaigne's essays, drawing parallels between his own self-reflective writing style and that of the famous French philosopher. 🔸 The author intentionally wrote each entry by hand rather than using a typewriter or computer, believing that handwriting created a more intimate connection between writer and reader.