Neil B. Shulman (–2023)

Originally titled, What? Dead Again? first, I should stress the only similarities between the book and the film are minimal — names, doctors, some plot basics, and a few quirky stories and eccentricities of the patient cases. The romance here is toned down to the point of almost non-existence, so if anyone is looking to read this for the same experience, they’ll at least feel surprised. Both versions have their own charm, and this rare book remains delightful because of the situation — a doctor out of his depth in a rural community. It’s a sweet read, not as funny as the film.… (más)

First off, this book is a hundred times better than the horrible movie they made out of it. This is the story of a young doctor on his to way to L.A. from Miami to do his residency. On the way, his car breaks down in a small town in Alabama. When the townsfolk learn that he is a doctor, they plead with him to help at their woefully understaffed hospital. This book is hilarious and poignant at turns. There are numerous hilarious situations involving the townspeople at the hospital, the funniest involving a traveling circus that gets the flu. But Shulman also shows a town that is in serious decline and unwilling to die without a fight. A great book.… (más)