A Country Doctor’s Story by Polly Morland

This book conjures up memories of childhood visits to the doctor and how the doctor’s role has evolved over time.

Polly Morland embarks on her story after finding a copy of Bergers book, A Fortunate Man, about the doctor John Sassal and discovering it was set in the village she is living in.

Polly arranges to meet the local doctor (A Fortunate Woman), who now works in the same village and was herself inspired to become a doctor after reading Berger’s book. She shadows the doctor for 9 months.

This is a true story about a doctor who lives and works in the same village as John Sassal. By living near her patients, she knows them well, and we are given an insight into what it is like to be a doctor in the 21st century and the changes since Sassal’s time.

Interspersed with stories of patients are descriptions of the valley, and these are juxtaposed with the doctor’s life to add depth and highlight the doctor’s ideals and qualities.