Tofu will never look the same again after reading this novel. That is because the author, Katrina Firlik, compares the consistency of brain matter to tofu.

Having been relatively healthy my entire life, I don't have much inside knowledge on the inner workings of a hospital. I thought this book would be an interesting way to find out more. It ended up being a charming memoir, that at times was quite gripping.

The novel is very well written, and was an absolute breeze to read. This took me by surprise, as it is a book about neurosurgery. An impressive first novel from the author, I eagerly await her next.

I don't know about you, but I find myself running to WebMD every time I have a headache, and then self diagnosing myself with some deadly ailment. I also love to watch the Discovery Health channel. Especially shows like "Mystery Diagnosis" or "Trauma: Life in the E.R.". It comes as no surprise that my favorite prime time drama is "Grey's Anatomy". It is absolutely fascinating to see these obscure medical cases, and how the doctors work to resolve them. People must trust their lives in their doctors hands. In the midst of a life changing medical crisis a patient must have faith in a total stranger.

This book gives a glimpse into the lives of surgeons. They are people just like you and me. Although what the patient is facing may be life altering for them, we find that more often than not, its not life altering for the doctors. It is purely their job. The decisions they make are with their heads, not their hearts. Part of becoming a doctor is learning how to keep their hearts from interfering with their heads, as we learn in this novel.

The author is very confident in her ability and skill within her field. She is one of less than 5000 neurosurgeons in the country, less than 5% of which are female. Although her confidence can be construed as cockiness at times, my general impression of her was in a positive light.

Whats it about?

Katrina Firlik is a talented and highly esteemed neurosurgeon. She writes this memoir of her time post-medical school. The tales span nearly a decade, covering her time as an intern, all the way to Chief Resident of Neurosurgery at a prestigious Connecticut Hospital. The novel is filled with cases she encountered, each one as interesting and amazing as the last. She also briefly covers the history of Neurosurgery as well as the future, which features "brainlifts". You have to read it to believe it!