Patient

A Humorous Memoir of Healthcare and Healing

De: Akshay Rao

Narrado por: Akshay Rao

Patient is a quirky, humorous, and occasionally poignant romp through the American health care system. After a seemingly mild case of COVID-19, the author finds himself hospitalized with acute renal failure. The connection to COVID-19 is tenuous at best, yet he is examined from head to toe with the ruthless efficiency that only a hospital with the latest technology can accomplish. Scans and tests of every possible type are conducted, eliminating the most dire of diagnoses.

In Patient, the listener is grasped by the lapels and is guided through a week in the hospital interspersed with the author's travels through space (being kissed by an orangutan in Borneo and "hijacking" a plane in India) and time (a ghost story set in nineteenth-century Southern India). We meet a cast of interesting characters--doctors, nurses, and children--whose interactions with the protagonist reveal much about themselves as well as the main character.

All's well that ends well, we discover, when the author returns home to a greeting from his cats that eventually move him to tears, something that had not occurred during his earlier travails.

All in all, a delightful, charming, and engaging piece of prose.

©2023 Akshay Rao (P)2024 Akshay Rao

Heartwarming and hilarious

“Patient” by Akshay Rao is a wonderful short book that artfully transforms the daunting world of medical journeys into a tapestry of inspiring and heartwarming stories. Rao, with his masterful storytelling and narration, brings a lightness and humor to situations that many might find overwhelming.

Rao’s ability to capture various accents adds a delightful layer of authenticity and fun to the reading experience. His skillful use of dialects not only enhances the storytelling but also brings each character to life, often leading to moments of unexpected humor. I found myself laughing out loud on numerous occasions.

“Patient” is not just a book; it’s a companion that offers understanding for anyone who has faced health challenges or knows someone who has. Rao’s ability to find humor in the unknown coupled with his excellent narration, will leave you moved and comforted. A must read, especially for a hospitalized patient waiting impatiently to leave!