Review by ArielJMartin -- Days of the Giants by RJ Petrella
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Ariel_Martin
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Review by ArielJMartin -- Days of the Giants by RJ Petrella
[Following is a volunteer review of "Days of the Giants" by RJ Petrella.]
Days of the Giants by RJ Petrella is a novel taking place in the early 90’s at Boston City Hospital (City). It is told through the perspective of an intern, Slater Barnes, in his first year of his residency, and his deceased father. City is a public hospital and is in danger of being caught in a shady merger with their “sister” hospital, Academy Hospital, which happens to be a private hospital. It is up to Slater and a group of interns and residents to save it.
Slater has just finished medical school and is in the process of applying for his residency when his health, and in turn his life, take a turn for the worst. With little time to process he makes the decision to continue with the application process. This decision is quite literally a risk to his life if he is unable to maintain his stress and overall health. Shortly after he begins his residency, the merger is announced. The VIPs of both hospitals push it as a benefit, only the employees within know the true risk City faces. Slater, and his coworkers, must find a way to help the community understand the gravity of the merger and take a stand, all while dealing with personal stressors.
I enjoyed how the author incorporates Slater's deceased father the most. Not only was he an internal compass for Slater during this disconcerting time, but he was also used as a narrator to explain parts of the story Slater was not privy to. This allows for the reader to understand the whole picture and sympathize with Slater and City on a more informed level. The thing I dislike most about the book is that Slater and his friend Don were made to be the exception, being caring doctors. It is mentioned that it takes a certain kind of person to work at City, but even still they were made out to be of the few who truly had pure intentions. I also would have preferred if the author had indicated what chapters were from Slater's point of view and which were from his father's.
Overall, I would recommend this book to any audience. Audiences that I feel would enjoy it most are those who prefer corrupt business or white-collar crime plot lines. While most of the language is minor and wholesome, there is a character with a particularly foul mouth, so I would not recommend it to readers who avoid profane language.
I would rate this book a 4 out of 4. The story line is intriguing and detailed. Even though it is a work of fiction, the author writes in a way that leads the reader to believe these are true experiences. Often, I found myself so invested in the story line, that I had to remind myself that none of this has happened. It was clear the author was experienced within the topic and that added to the feeling of authenticity in the book. I felt it was well edited and the story was unique.
******
Days of the Giants
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Days of the Giants by RJ Petrella is a novel taking place in the early 90’s at Boston City Hospital (City). It is told through the perspective of an intern, Slater Barnes, in his first year of his residency, and his deceased father. City is a public hospital and is in danger of being caught in a shady merger with their “sister” hospital, Academy Hospital, which happens to be a private hospital. It is up to Slater and a group of interns and residents to save it.
Slater has just finished medical school and is in the process of applying for his residency when his health, and in turn his life, take a turn for the worst. With little time to process he makes the decision to continue with the application process. This decision is quite literally a risk to his life if he is unable to maintain his stress and overall health. Shortly after he begins his residency, the merger is announced. The VIPs of both hospitals push it as a benefit, only the employees within know the true risk City faces. Slater, and his coworkers, must find a way to help the community understand the gravity of the merger and take a stand, all while dealing with personal stressors.
I enjoyed how the author incorporates Slater's deceased father the most. Not only was he an internal compass for Slater during this disconcerting time, but he was also used as a narrator to explain parts of the story Slater was not privy to. This allows for the reader to understand the whole picture and sympathize with Slater and City on a more informed level. The thing I dislike most about the book is that Slater and his friend Don were made to be the exception, being caring doctors. It is mentioned that it takes a certain kind of person to work at City, but even still they were made out to be of the few who truly had pure intentions. I also would have preferred if the author had indicated what chapters were from Slater's point of view and which were from his father's.
Overall, I would recommend this book to any audience. Audiences that I feel would enjoy it most are those who prefer corrupt business or white-collar crime plot lines. While most of the language is minor and wholesome, there is a character with a particularly foul mouth, so I would not recommend it to readers who avoid profane language.
I would rate this book a 4 out of 4. The story line is intriguing and detailed. Even though it is a work of fiction, the author writes in a way that leads the reader to believe these are true experiences. Often, I found myself so invested in the story line, that I had to remind myself that none of this has happened. It was clear the author was experienced within the topic and that added to the feeling of authenticity in the book. I felt it was well edited and the story was unique.
******
Days of the Giants
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Wicked Wives by Gus Pelagatti
