At 404 pages, The Doctor Stories is a collection of handpicked short stories by Richard Selzer himself. It holds thirty years of his previous work, two new additions, and an introduction delving into his beginnings as a writer and the birth of his literary career.
One of the newer additions to the collection is "Avalanche". "Avalanche" takes place in the deep desolation of Argentina where two fugitives meet and fall in love by fate. It is a dark and tumultuous tale, one that ends in tragedy. In the collection, there are several stories that pay tribute to a lot of different literary authors and historical figures. Some include "Poe's Light-house," which stems from one of Edgar Alan Poe’s poems and “The Black Swan,” which is described to be a rewrite of the novel “The Black Swan” written by Thomas Mann. "Tube Feeding, Sarcophagus, Imelda, Mercy, Brute, and Four Appointments with the Discus Thrower” are several other stories within The Doctor Stories that are included in the “Literature and Medicine canon” as they go into the technicalities of medicine.
This collection stays true to his signature tone and literary presence. His work is described to be “humane, observant, passionately descriptive, and particular”, making his work very recognizable and fresh. Most of the content is focused around what a person goes through mentally and physically in times of extreme “crisis and drama”. There is a major theme of life and death that is consistent throughout the collection. As a medical doctor himself, Selzer uses much of his knowledge and experiences in his writing. He is described to have a poetic air about him, writing with eloquence and much intelligence.
Although once a doctor himself, Selzer manages to bring both medical and non-medical aspects into his work. He diminishes the stereotypical view of modern day doctors in white lab coats with gloves to someone who is there for people when they are at the lowest points in their lives. It is both moving and intriguing to read and contemplate the views of Selzer, both as a medical doctor and as a human being with real, raw emotion.
