41 pages • 1 hour read
No Apparent Distress: A Doctor’s Coming of Age on the Front Lines of American Medicine
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
272
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Texas • 2010s
2017
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
No Apparent Distress by Rachel Pearson recounts her journey through medical education and early career, highlighting themes of medical ethics, regret, depression, and systemic biases against marginalized groups. Pearson portrays her experiences and reflections without heavy medical jargon, using personal anecdotes to explore the complexities and challenges she faced as a physician. This memoir includes sensitive topics such as patient death, depression, and suicide.
Dark
Mysterious
Unnerving
Melancholic
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
1,644 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Rachel Pearson's No Apparent Distress is a compelling memoir that delves into the American healthcare system's challenges. Reviews commend its heartfelt narrative and insightful critique of medical inequalities. However, some readers feel the book's tone can be overly critical. Overall, it's praised for its honesty and relevance.
Who Should Read No Apparent Distress?
Readers who appreciate deeply personal narratives in the medical field, such as Paul Kalanithi's When Breath Becomes Air or Atul Gawande's Being Mortal, will be drawn to Rachel Pearson's No Apparent Distress. This memoir eloquently explores the intersection of medicine, ethics, and social justice.
1,644 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Frank
Frank
Pearson’s best friend during her time in Portland, a gay man who conceals his sexuality due to fears of professional and social repercussions, while also enduring personal struggles with depression.
Dr. Susan McCammon
Dr. Susan McCammon
A throat-cancer surgeon who continues to care for her patients despite a bureaucratic system that prevents her from offering full medical treatment, highlighting her dedication and compassion as a doctor.
272
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Texas • 2010s
2017
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.