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The Registrar cover art

The Registrar

By: Neela Janakiramanan
Narrated by: Jacqui Duncan
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Publisher's Summary

Sometimes in hospital people die—but not all of them should. A moving, addictive debut novel for fans of Going Under and Emotional Female.

'Emma, you'll be totally fine.... If there's ever a doctor who's going to thrive in surgical training, I'm sure it's you.'

Dedicated and ambitious, Emma Swann is about to start a gruelling year as a surgical registrar at the prestigious Mount teaching hospital. She's excited to join her adored older brother Andy in pursuing the same career as their father, an eminent surgeon who made his name at The Mount.

But the pressure of living up to his distinguished reputation is nothing compared with the escalating stress Emma experiences as a registrar. It's an arduous, unremitting slog of twenty-hour days, punishing schedules, life and death decisions—and very little assistance, instruction or support from her superiors, who waste no time pointing out just how superior they are. Amidst a background culture of humiliation and bullying, being a woman just makes things worse: misogyny is rife and Emma is subjected to other, more insidious, kinds of male attention.

As Emma battles overwork, exhaustion and increasing disillusion, she has less and less ability and time to care for her patients' welfare, and that of herself and those she loves. Is it possible for her to be the doctor, wife, sister and friend she aspires to be in such a broken hospital system? Can she salvage her own life while she's trying to save others? And how can she and her colleagues endure such impossible conditions without making fatal mistakes?

With the frenetic pace of a psychological thriller, The Registrar offers a rare insight into the world of a surgeon-in-the-making from one who has survived it. Told with compassion, skill and emotional heart, this gripping and moving novel goes behind the headlines to reveal the human experience of being both doctor and patient in a medical system at breaking point.

©2022 Neela Janakiramanan (P)2022 W F Howes

Critic Reviews

"This is compelling. You won't put it down." (Dr Norman Swann)

"Compelling, illuminating and utterly readable." (Jamila Rizvi)

What listeners say about The Registrar

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Loved it!

A very real insight into the culture of medicine, especially hospital medicine, and the psychological and physical strain placed upon doctors in training and beyond. Beautifully written, powerful, honest, makes you laugh and shed a tear.

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1 person found this helpful

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A compelling read

Dr Janakiramanan has written read that reflected the medical system so accurately. She wove the hard burden carried by medical trainees into a deeply moving story. I am not sure those actually in the system would be brave enough to read it for fear they would see themselves but for those outside the system it sheds light on the antiquated training methods doctors face in the second decade of the 21st century. Maybe a few professors (and health administrators) should read it and reflect on their contribution to the lives of these trainees.
Well done to Dr Janakiramanan for casting sunshine on this - here’s hoping it starts a conversation.

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3 people found this helpful

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Very well written.

Couldn't press stop! Very accurately depicts how difficult it is to get through Specialist Training.

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Brilliant

More needs to be done to help our medical system change the culture of “numbers and procedures” but it’s not enough to simply say it needs to happen, we all can influence this change. Be nice to your doctor, do what you can to ask thoughtful questions, be prepared, and share little acts of kindness when you can.

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Excellent story

I didn’t expect such a well researched story and thoroughly enjoyed both the writers style and the narrator. I would recommend this book

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Nothing perfect

Good novel of life as a registrar. The story line keeps you going back for more. Nothing is perfect hence the 4 stars.

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2 people found this helpful

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Couldn't put it down

A fantastic and compelling read, thoroughly enjoyed it. Gives a great insight into Australia's medical system hierarchy and the pressure junior doctors live under.

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Brilliant

I love everything about this book. I listened to it in one go, choosing to continue listening rather than sleep!
Brilliantly written and narrated.
I recommend that anyone who has been a patient in hospital, anyone working in the medical field, anyone who is considering studying or working in the medical field, listen to this fictional but very real novel.
If I could rate higher than 5 stars, then I would.

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The registrar

Love the story
Unfortunately I was a bit annoyed by the rendition of the male players parts!! (The father. Brother husband ) the story was good and realistic so I sort of enjoyed this!

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Perspective

I couldn’t help thinking this book was written by a young person with not enough perspective on life. No doubt being a surgical registrar is hard but it is also very privileged. In so far as the book is a voice for change that is good, but in so far as it seeks sympathy it lost me.

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