Emotional Female

Yumiko has such an important and interesting story. As someone not involved in the medical field, it gave me a much more profound respect for doctors and surgeons and it made me realise just how extensive and harsh the roads to get there are. I felt shocked and angered knowing that the sexism and racism within the medical system is so widespread and deeply engrained that those experiencing it rarely speak up. I am in awe of Yumiko for the strength and bravery it would have taken to step away and to share her story. It was lovely to see the direct impacts of this at the end of the book.

At no point in the story did I know where it was going, and I found the writing rather clinical and simplistic. I was also coming out of a major reading slump when I began reading this so it took me quite a while to get through, but I still felt engaged whenever I did pick it up. This isn't the kind of book I see myself reading again, but I would highly recommend it for anybody hoping to go into the medical field. It covers Yumiko's personal story going from medical school through to becoming a surgical registrar, as she experiences sexism, racism, overworking, burnout, and mental illness.

3.5 stars