Naughty Nurse in a Classic Doctor Book
Posted by realityrounds on August 19, 2009
The The New York Times wrote a little story about the 30 year anniversary of a cult-classic, coming of age doctor book called, The House of God. I have not read the book, which chronicles the trials and tribulations of interns in the 1970′s. Blah, blah, blah.
I of course, can not get over the book cover. I know it was published in the 70′s and I need to get over myself. But, come on! Sexy female nurse sticking her ass and boobs out, while smart looking male doctor peers intently ahead. And this picture was published in the New York Times. Grrrrrrrrrr. Now maybe I will have to read this book to see if there are any other stereotypical portrayals of nurses.
RR
Mike said
I have read House of God, and can safely say that if the cover art gets your knickers in a twist, the actual content of the book will probably cause a torsion of your abdominal and pelvic organs. It’s been a couple years, but most of the nurse characters I remember are built similar to the one featured on the front, and spend way more time with the interns in call rooms than I ever did on night shift. The book is (expectedly) extremely physician-centric, and thus I remember the nurses to be secondary characters at most.
That said, you should read it anyway. Just because you disagree with something or find it offensive doesn’t make it any less important to read. And if you want to effectively counter any of the stereotypes presented you should know what you’re up against. Just be prepared to want to meet Dr. Bergman in a dark alley one night.
realityrounds said
Mike,
Oh, now I have to read this book! I like to read/listen/watch anything that I am against. I like to be educated on all sides of the argument. I better get this book on Amazon asap!
pinky said
I would like to read that particular book. YOu have to remember, it was the 70′s and even in the 80′s I was told what I could and could not do based on my sex. My SIL is a tough son of a bitch. She is a general surgeon and that could not have been easy. But she is intelligent, very Thank God of she would probably not have survived.
mo said
I loved the House of God. I had to ignore all the groping sex but honestly it is presented in such a way as to show how desperate and sad the interns have become not as something titillating. It doesn’t actively disparage nurses as it is more about how the system of training doctors can break anyone or push them to suicide. It’s heartbreaking and for any of us who have spent way too many years in the ICU looking after dead people because families wont let go you will understand most of the frustrations and sadness.
realityrounds said
Now I really want to read this book!