Legends of the Examining Room

September 2, 2005 12:05 AM

The doctor is in. Featured in the LA Times and The Guardian, Dr. Charles has self-published a collection of his writings. His style is florid, fluid and absorbing. But you don't have to take my word for it. (25% of book proceeds go to the Red Cross Katrina relief effort.)
posted by blendor (7 comments total)

She was a willowy woman. Long sinewy arms sprung from her shoulders like winter branches. Jet black hair poured from her skull. So dark was her hair that it nearly absorbed all the light striking it, even devouring the sight of those who looked upon it. If an imaginative child were to see her in the waiting room they would certainly recognize her as a witch.

Florid yes, almost baroque.

Nice find blendor.
posted by three blind mice at 2:53 AM on September 2, 2005

Wonderful! Thanks so much. There's a humanity in his writing that is very appealing.
posted by pjern at 3:08 AM on September 2, 2005

I'm glad he's contributing money. His writing is horrible. Thanks for the link.
posted by OmieWise at 5:25 AM on September 2, 2005

Why self-publishing (arguments about 'empowerment' to the contrary) is such a bad thing. Dr. Charles humanity is apparent, and his passion, and the depth of his knowledge and experience. His stories deserve telling and we deserve to be able to read them.

But his writing is horrible. The man is in desperate need of a good professional editor, and a publishing house that will refuse to put its good name on his book until it's right.

Damn the big-box bookstores for putting so many small publishing houses out of business that self-publishing (formerly known as 'vanity publishing', I believe) seems like the answer.
posted by guidonDeBascogne at 6:39 AM on September 2, 2005

Don't get me wrong, though... Thanks for the link, and keep on posting 'em.
posted by guidonDeBascogne at 6:41 AM on September 2, 2005

Those with a darker sensibility and a taste for cleaner writing might want to check out Theodore Dalrymple.

For the record, he works in British prisons, he's not warm and fuzzy, and his politics will run counter to those of many mefites. You've been warned, so please, no letters of outrage, okay?
posted by IndigoJones at 7:32 AM on September 2, 2005

"Florid" is an apt choice of words to describe his writing. I'm not so sure about "fluid" and "absorbing." I wondered, while reading his blog, whether he might not be channeling Henry James.

He has some very interesting stories to tell, and I would be very interested to read them, if he were to get some serious assistance with his writing.
posted by cerebus19 at 8:59 AM on September 2, 2005