Didn't Get Frazzled: Humorous Medical Fiction

De: David Z Hirsch

Narrado por: David Gilmore

• International Book Award Bronze Medal Winner Readers' Favorite (Fiction - Humor/Comedy)
• INDIES Book of the Year Award Finalist (Humor)

Medical student Seth Levine faces escalating stress and gallows humor as he struggles with the collapse of his romantic relationships and all preconceived notions of what it means to be a doctor. It doesn’t take long before he realizes not getting frazzled is the least of his problems.

Seth encounters a med student so arrogant he boasts that he’ll eat any cadaver part he can’t name, an instructor so dedicated she tests the student’s ability to perform a gynecological exam on herself, and a woman so captivating that Seth will do whatever it takes to make her laugh, including regale her with a story about a diagnostic squabble over an erection.

Didn’t Get Frazzled captures with distressing accuracy the gauntlet idealistic medical students must face to secure an MD and, against the odds, come out of it a better human being.

• Read by David Gilmore, an award-winning voice actor specializing in audiobook narration with over 15,000 units sold. His 35-year experience as a human anatomy and physiology instructor has enhanced this seamless and engaging performance.

This comedy-drama is an exciting addition to the grand tradition of medical novels by Samuel Shem, Lisa Genova, and Noah Gordon.

©2016 David Z Hirsch (P)2019 David Z Hirsch

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Echoing the comedic tone of the 1989 comedy Gross Anatomy, the novel's affection for this uniquely strange experience makes it the best fictional portrayal of med school since ER. Readers will savor the experience." (BlueInk Review, starred review)

"Entertaining, educative, and unflaggingly funny, this debut novel will particularly appeal to real-life med students searching for a fast-moving, relatable respite between classes." (Kirkus Reviews)

"Reminiscent of a cross between the television sitcom Scrubs and a medical version of One L by Scott Turow, Didn't Get Frazzled is by turns sardonic, touching, raucous, sexy, and sometimes downright gross. It's also hugely entertaining." (Foreword Clarion Reviews)

Hilarious and sad

Seth Levine is a medical student with loads of vocation, which makes him an excellent future doctor with an ample range of possibilities, but his personal life is a different matter. His relationship with April is going through a rough patch, and none of them seem to be able to make it work.

I find medical books and shows very interesting, and this one is no exception. It is full of humorous scenes and sarcastic comments, making it a light and funny read. Even though I live in a different world than Seth, it is easy to relate to him and what he is going through. I enjoyed listening about his day to day and also his relationship with his friends, colleagues, and patients. Seth goes through a great transformation in this story, on a professional and a personal level. Somehow I never liked April that much for him, and he needs to descend into hell to finally understand this and re-emerge from his ashes as a new person. I liked joining Seth in his journey, and I found the story endearing, hilarious, and even terribly sad at times. This is a clear example of how breaking down makes a person grow.

There are some technical terms and explanations that I personally enjoyed, which helps to make the story more realistic. It is also clear that the author knows what he is talking about and that he has a background in medicine.

David Gilmore provided a wonderful narration. He expressed Seth emotions in a candid and open way, transmitting the character’s emotions. I think his tone perfectly matched the story. He provided subtle different voices and styles for the characters.

I had a great time listening to this audiobook and I would recommend it to anyone into medical books and shows.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Excellent Trip Into Medical School

Didn't Get Frazzled reminds me of One L, Scott Turow's first year law school book that really gives someone wanting to go into the profession a genuine look into the realities of it, through fiction. It's amazing the clarity that the author provides inside and outside the school of medicine, as medical school, while a bubble on its own, always made it difficult for outsiders, anyone not in the immediate medical school class, to enter the social circles. I love that the medical education, which is in many ways an endurance and persistence test, moves different students in different ways. There are a number of those caricatures in the book, the student who knows everything, the one that can't stand to be wrong, the one who tries to have a girlfriend for better or worse, all while trying to survive an onslaught of responsibilities.

The writing is engaging, not only moving the story forward, but the descriptions are spot on, I'm not sure how to say this without sounding mean, but it doesn't read like a doctor wrote a book, it reads like a writer put together a doctor book. I expect somewhere in the author's medical school career or residency, he found solace in writing and bringing scenes to life. Nonetheless, this is really well written.

When I first heard the narration, I thought of Marc Bramhall narrating Lev Grossman's Magicians. In many ways, I heard the same introspection of Quentin Coldwater in Seth Levine, an ability to humanize a person who is losing his humanity. Nonetheless, I think you'll find it an engaging listen if you're on your way to medical school, but more so, if you have a desire for the nostalgia of professional school. It will take you right back.

Frazzled fun

I loved this. Some reviewers have mentioned an abundance of crass humor. Yes, it abounds in crass humor. Others have criticized the amount of text wasted detailing Seth's amorous adventures. But honestly, you don't make it to 30 without your romantic experiences--wise, foolish, good, and/or bad--playing a huge part in your life and helping form the person you turn out to be. I found Seth's experience as a New York med student realistic, fascinating, and enlightening. What I didn't realize starting out was how dated the story was; there's a reference in it to a bomb blast at the World Trade Center, but it's the bombing that occurred in 1993, not the disaster we all instinctively remember now. So in many ways this story is almost prehistoric; medical notes are written down on paper, TV shows are recorded on videotapes, and buttons are pushed on answering machines. Aside from feeling a bit nostalgic, I finished the story wishing Seth Levine were my internist and wishing the book wasn't at an end. He learned his stuff, and he cared about his patients as human beings. I requested and received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the author, and I am ever so glad I did. The narration was good for the most part, with the glaring exception of the over-exaggerated attempts to do female Long Island accent. I shudder even as I type, as the result was a harsh mixture of Boston and Long Island that served only to drive me crazy. But I loved the book and hope the author writes more.

Everything you wanted to know about medical school

Didn't Get Frazzled: Humorous Medical Fiction
: David Z Hirsch (pseudonym)

Everything you wanted to know about medical school, but were afraid to ask.

This fictionalized accounting of a young med students travels through med school and his personal life. The author shows good and bad bed side manners. (Most of us have unfortunately seen both sides.) Life and death during the different rotations. His group of fellow students add their own spin. I've gone searching for more from this author.



The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed by David Gilmore.



I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Didn’t Get Frazzled!

A humorous look at the life and times of being a med student. (Ok, there are some serious moments too, but it was the humor that really got me.) I have a whole new appreciation for what medical students go through on the road to becoming a doctor!

Well written and a great performance. A truly enjoyable listen!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

funny - just funny

I really loved this read - I know it has a lot of medical terminology that I didn't get but I still found myself in tears laughing over some of these stories. I loved Seth - his character is the best. He is patient and caring - sometimes too much so in the case with April. I at times found his relationship or lack there of with her distracting but I really like how Seth was able to find resolution in all the aspects of his life. Narration was perfect - I loved the tone Gilmore gave Seth - perfection! Great read, loved both the humor and emotions this book evoked!

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Laughed out loud

Well written and hilarious, with realistic characters and great dialogue. The performance, however, put it over the top. His delivery is spot on.

A great book about the misery of being a resident.

I loved Seth and his positive nature and was so happy when he got a girlfriend. I didn’t like the guy whose name I forget the one who said he would eat a body part he couldn’t name, he reminded me of those arrogant doctors who think they’re the best thing next to Jesus Christ. This book was so funny with so many laugh out loud moments The dialogue alone is worth reading the book for an even though it is 10 hours long it doesn’t feel it’s that long. I thought the narrator did an awesome job and it was a great book but I almost wish it was longer.

priceless entertainment

This was really my cuppa tea. I have a medical background, and identified with much of this book. I found it hilarious and much too true to life at times. lol. Seth was very engaging and had integrity. I had no use for April. She was insipid and immature and a pure waste of Seth's time and efforts. This is a definite relisten. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did a great job bringing the characters and story to life.

Entertaining Fun Listen

I enjoyed 'Didn't Get Frazzled'. I consider this a light listen. There definitely are some humous areas of the book. The story evolves around a medical students years in school and the good, the bad and the ugly, I found the narrator to be a little drool. No expression in his voice. other than that it was a fun listen and I do recommend this book.