The Good Doctor

Rating:
Summary: Galgut's Reviewer
Review: The Good Doctor is a much different book then I have ever read. Its slow plot leaves room for a lot of description of characters and setting. Damon Galgut is able to include so much detail into this book without bringing down the interest level. His style of writing just keeps you going throughout the whole book. This style uses contrasts between the characters in order to identify certain qualities. For example, the young doctor in this story is passionate about making a difference and helping patients, while the older white doctor just does his job without any emotion. In summary, this book is a great find should be on the top everyone's list of books to read.

Rating:
Summary: never take other people's opinions on books.
Review: very bare in its story telling. i believe this was short listed for the Booker Prize. This book really didn't do anything for me. Its like one of those books you read and then they become part of those untitled stream of books you've read but vaguely remember-kind of like going to a movie that you can barely recall seeing from 2-3 years ago.

Its not badly written but if it had not been assigned reading for class, i would have preferred to read something else. If yu want to read good South African literature, try Gordimer, or Coetzee. Both of whom won the Nobel Prize in literature in recent years. There is no reason why you should or should not read it. It may resonate for those who are south african more.

The characterization is particularly strong so that the characters seem indelible. There is a subtlety to the meaning of the story and the analogy or metaphor it paints of all south africa- young white idealism, blacks who can't forget apartheid, old cynical views, etc. i think this may be the sort of book that touches people differently. SO while i may read it and feel unaffected, it may do something quite different to another.