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Original poster

Adam Kay's This is Going to Hurt

135 replies

musicalfrog · 13/05/2021 22:00

I haven't even finished the book yet but I'm getting more and more annoyed with him the further in I go. I didn't mind him initially but then the more he progresses in his career the more insufferable he gets!

Is he really such an arrogant *** or is he just writing for laughs? Whichever, I'm glad he's not a practicing doctor now, but unfortunately I recognise his attitude in a couple of doctors I had the misfortune to encounter during my first birth experience.

Just wondering if anyone else had the same reaction as me? I've not seen him on TV or anything, the book is all I have to go on.

Oh, and Mumsnet gets a mention a few chapters in!

OP posts:
OnTheSeaShore · 13/05/2021 22:39

I'm with you OP. I grew increasingly uncomfortable with his tone and found him unpleasant and unsympathetic.

alabaster11 · 13/05/2021 22:38

I read it when it first came out, so a while ago now, but I remember thinking it was very funny and I really enjoyed reading it!

Badgertadger · 13/05/2021 22:36

Totally loved this book. Found it hilarious. And cried like a baby. Didn't find him sneery at all. And I totally understand him not sticking with it after his experience - some experiences just break you.

Babdoc · 13/05/2021 22:34

I’m a retired hospital doctor, and Kay’s book reminded me of quite a few arrogant young registrars.
It’s telling that when he had a medical disaster (not his fault), he couldn’t cope with the realisation that he wasn’t God and wasn’t in control of everything. He ended up leaving his career, whereas most trainees, going through similar bad experiences, find their humility and become much better doctors afterwards.

DramaAlpaca · 13/05/2021 22:31

I thought he came across as sneery and misogynistic. I did not enjoy the book at all.

SunshineCake · 13/05/2021 22:30

I have recently read if. I didn't like the swearing and the rude bits. I couldn't really believe all he said was true. I also thought what a waste of time and money in training to throw it all away to be a writer. I know he has a terrible experience but he must have known things like that would happen.

ouchmyfeet · 13/05/2021 22:29

I felt exactly the same as you OP. I only read it as my book club was going to discuss it, it's not the type of book I'd normally go for. I found him sneery and unpleasant and very keen to mock his patients.

Cocolapew · 13/05/2021 22:28

I hated it, I found him to be very sneery. I'm baffled that people found it hilarious.

weehoo · 13/05/2021 22:20

I remember reading a thread about him before, and many felt the book was misogynistic (I tend to agree)

Mylittlesandwich · 13/05/2021 22:01

I listened to it rather than read it and I listened to the Christmas one too but I quite liked him overall.

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