The Book Club returns this Spring with a 50-year retrospective look at medical training in the House of God. With over 2 million copies sold, this classic novel of life and death in an American hospital has been hailed as one of the most important medical novels ever written.
The Lancet named the “House of God” by Samuel Shem as one of the two most important American medical novels of the 20th century, and the New York Times described it as “a raunchy, troubling, and hilarious novel that turned into a cult phenomenon.”
However, others have offered less praise, characterizing it as an infamous illustration of the hidden curriculum of medical school, including heart-breaking examples of depersonalization in the delivery of medical care.
TCOM students are invited to join Dr. John Licciardone, Regents Professor, as he again moderates the Book Club discussions. Interested students must submit their name by email to Samantha.Johnson@unthsc.edu by Thursday, February 29, 2024 to be considered for inclusion in this Book Club selection.
Up to 15 TCOM students may be chosen to participate. A complimentary copy of the book will be provided, and students must attend two lunch-hour sessions on campus on March 20 and April 3, 2024 to discuss the assigned portions of the book. Students may bring their own lunch to the sessions.