This
book, written in the narrative nonfiction tradition, follows the
protagonist as she goes from one patient to the next, prompted by her
pager, in the research cancer hospital in which she works. The 32
patients run the gamut from the expected elderly patients receiving
death with dignity to newly diagnosed patients in denial. The
unexpected comes into play with Gypsies, Native American healers,
Jesus-over-the shoulder, and a widow’s black-cloud exorcism. All this
and their families too!
Rancour has an honest, humane, funny, and poetic style. She sweeps you
along with her compassion, her wit, and her unerring ability to see
into the truth of the matter. This book is for anyone who has an
interest in what goes on in the patient rooms, hallways, stairwells,
and elevators of a cancer hospital. You won’t be able to put it down.
