Kirsten Menger-Anderson

Doctor Olaf Van Shuler's Brain is a compelling collection of short stories which begins in 1664 with Doctor Olaf Van Shuler and continues into the present with chapters chronicling his many descendants. All these descendants become doctors. Treating an extremely diverse variety of illnesses. In this sense, the book acts not only as a strong work of fiction, but as an interesting, detailed and educational history of New York. All of New York's citizens are represented, from the rich right down to the poor. The stories all have a somber tone to them and no matter how much I rooted for the characters, things never seemed to work out well. Makes one wonder why so many people, despite their best efforts, just can't seem to achieve happiness.… (más)

Latently insane medical man Olaf von Schuler and the generations of his progeny practice their quackery (although it is always accepted medical practice for it's time) on unsuspecting patients down through the years. Helping literally nobody to get better, and killing and crippling some, the "novel" is really a series of generationally linked stories primarily focusing on the doctors but sometimes on the patients. The stories begin with Dr. Schuler's emigation to America in the 17th century and ends in the modern day. The doctors are all male, of course, until you get to the last generation.

The novel is sometimes quite funny in an ironic sort of way, but often sad and even tragic. Once you understand the structure and theme it is almost suspenseful wondering what the next generation will be and do. You keep hoping they might at least help somebody. In the end you begin to wonder if even today the cure isn't often worse than the disease.

I had fun with it. It is not a difficult read, Menger-Anderson's prose is largely unobtrusive. I was surprised it wasn't rated higher on GR.… (más)

A lovely collection of interconnected short stories that center around a multi-genenerational family of doctors living in New York City. The stories are presented in chronological order: the first is set in 1664, the last in 2006. Many of the stories use a now-outdated treatment as a set-piece (mesmerism, phrenology, lobotomies, radium cures, silicone breast implants). However, they are so well-written and character-centered that the device (however repeated) doesn't feel over-used. Overall, the beautiful language and tight complexity of these stories make this a collection worth reading.… (más)

What an interesting book!

The premise is smartly done: A doctor in the 1600s, just after the middle ages, starts the book with his story, then progresses very nicely through the generations of his family tree ... doctor after doctor after doctor. The chapters read as short stories, and indeed, some were published separately in various publications apart from appearing in this book.

Not all of the stories center around the doctor. Some center around how the doctor is treating the main character. There is talk of bleeding someone as a cure, drinking a tincture to become pregnant, shock therapy, a very early lobotomy, and the move away from silicone breast implants. The stories follow the latest in medical procedure and technology, ending in the year 2006. And not all treat physical ailments. The science of phrenology is examined, as is "hysteria" and retardation.

Very compelling, very clever, nice writing and extremely fluid, giving the single thread that weaves through the book. Highly recommended for a different sort of reading experience!… (más)