Having heard only about one book of Erich Segal's, the magnum opus 'Love Story', never did i think i would take a look at his books - assuming, rather arrogantly, that they would all be 'just' love stories which i had absolutely no interest in reading.
On one particular day a week ago, however, i stood forlornly in my library, having exhausted all the available titles by my favourite authors of detective fiction/ thrillers/ crime/ just anything by Jeffrey Archer.
It was then that my eye fell on the shelf holding Segal's books.
I, rather typically, immediately dismissed Love Story - ignoring the librarian's excited "we usually keep 10 copies in stock, kid, it's a miracle you found one" - and instead picked up a book titled, The Class. Rather - no, very - reluctantly.
I finished it overnight.
I loved it.
Since then, i've finished another of his books - Doctors. Loved, loved, loved that too.
On one particular day a week ago, however, i stood forlornly in my library, having exhausted all the available titles by my favourite authors of detective fiction/ thrillers/ crime/ just anything by Jeffrey Archer.
It was then that my eye fell on the shelf holding Segal's books.
I, rather typically, immediately dismissed Love Story - ignoring the librarian's excited "we usually keep 10 copies in stock, kid, it's a miracle you found one" - and instead picked up a book titled, The Class. Rather - no, very - reluctantly.
I finished it overnight.
I loved it.
Since then, i've finished another of his books - Doctors. Loved, loved, loved that too.
The Class
A compelling saga of the myriad set of students who meet, for the first time, on the steps of Harvard University one grey morning. A complete page- turner, the book chronicles their lives, the relationships they form, the competition, the stress, the failures, successes, hatred, sorrow, joy & love they encounter, together - right from the beginning of their college days, to the day they graduate, and their lives thereafter.
This book is in no way limited to Harvard. I could relate to it perfectly well as a BMSCEian - and found myself hoping i could form the kind of strong & everlasting friendships the protagonist does. :)
Doctors
It is no secret to most of my friends that i had a burning desire to become a doctor. Well, that didn't materialise, but i do try to vicariously live my dream by reading a string of Robin Cook books, watching Grey's Anatomy and so on. (Sad, i know.)
I am so glad i picked up this book.
Erich Segal introduces the reader into the lives of a very richly diverse set of characters - all with one dream. To become doctors. From the day they step into Med School, to the day they dissect a cadaver... From the day they see their first live patients to they day they walk out, triumphant, with an M.D and set out to serve the sick in hospitals across the world - this marvellous story gives the reader a glimpse into the lives of doctors - the voluminous ( too mild a word) syllabus, their marathon working hours as residents, the struggle to set up a practice & to keep it running...
All while trying their best to stick to the Hippocratic Oath they took so long ago.
A must read.
I might even give Love Story a chance. :D
