Twas The Night Before Christmas by Adam Kay @amateuradam @PicadorBooks #TwasthenightbeforeChristmas #AdamKay #NonFictionNovember

Picador Books October 2019

Book Description

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat… but 1.4 million NHS staff are heading off to work.  In this perfect present for anyone who has ever set foot in a hospital, Adam Kay delves back into his diaries for a hilarious, horrifying and sometimes heartbreaking peek behind the curtain.

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

is a love letter to all those who spend their festive season on the front line, removing babies and baubles from the various places they get stuck, at the most wonderful time of the year.

My Thoughts

Having thoroughly enjoyed This is Going to Hurt I didn’t need too much persuasion to purchase this book, however on seeing a signed copy with sprayed pages my resistance left me and the deal was done!  I had read several reviews commenting on the size of this book – it is small and shorter than the aforementioned This is Going to Hurt, however if you enjoyed that book I don’t think you’ll be disappointed by this one.

A festive story, with a difference, documenting Adam Kay’s time as a Junior Doctor through the lens of Christmas, that is the Christmas shifts he worked over a seven year period.  Successfully highlighting the tireless NHS workers who continue 24/7 every day of the year, albeit with a seasonal twist – Christmas Wreath constructed from out of date condoms?  Anyone??

Essentially following the same format as its predecessor in terms of a diary format detailing the comings and goings of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department over the joyous holiday period.  With a mixture of sad and amusing stories, this book did have me chuckling on my sofa at times and recapping some of the more ridiculous accounts to my husband – the things people use as a substitute for a condom!!!

Yes this book is short, but very funny and while I am sure we would all like more I think there is a limit – given the author no longer works as a Doctor!  Anyone who enjoyed This is Going to Hurt will surely love this book.  Highly amusing, not for the squeamish and probably not to be taken to seriously in parts.  A lovely stocking filler – especially if you can pick yourselves up the cute Waterstones Signed Exclusive Edition like I did!

Happy Reading!

I previously reviewed This is Going to Hurt – you can read my review here.

About the Author

Adam Kay is an award-winning comedian and author of the million-copy bestseller This is Going to Hurt.  He previously worked as a junior doctor, which is hopefully clear by now.  He lives in London.