The Saturnian Snake

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Summary: The Saturnian Snake
Review: The flyleaf of this book indicates that it is a novel; it is much more than that. The chief character has a phenomenal memory, but, his lack of insight, his limited interpersonal skills, and his inability to see his own weaknesses causes him no small grief. This man is a doctor, and his memory allows us to examine medicine over a most important period. The book covers that critical period of the 20th century when medicine went through a series of major transformations. If one is interested in where we are in medicine today - and why, let alone trying to understand what the possibilities are for change in the future, then, of course, one must understand the past; and here it is, the past in a most palatable form, presented as a backdrop to intertwining mysteries, psychological drama, political intrigue - and romance. Three couples get together anticipating a pleasant sail on their ketch; a storm holds them in port, and a very unusual contest results in the hiding of six critical secrets. The flaws in each of these characters is to lead them toward predictable paths. There are tragic consequences in store, and our cast faces rape and murder as only two of the outcomes of their inherent weaknesses. Offering a further challenge to the reader, as well as to the characters in the book, is a strange man who speaks in riddles; it is he who provides many answers - unfortunately not always sufficiently recognized. This same stranger provides an allegorical background to the book, using Greek and Roman mythology to warn the protagonist-doctor of personal pitfalls - and changing challenges in the field of medicine. This novel is a surprisingly easy read, facilitated further by a cast of characters that gives brief descriptions of each (without giving away crucial information), and by a glossary which explains (in plain language) difficult terms. But most readers won't need to go to these because they will just keep on reading, and it's all there in the text: the explanations, the clues to what is about to happen, the likely (but far from obvious) answers to the mysteries. Yes, this is more than your usual novel, and I'll bet that you'll like it - a lot.