Title: Twas The Nightshift Before Christmas
Author: Adam Kay
Publisher: Picador

[Synopsis]

Twas The Nightshift Before Christmas is the hilarious, poignant and entertaining story of the life of a junior doctor at the most challenging time of the year. With twenty-five tales of intriguing, shocking and incredible Christmas incidents, the British public will finally appreciate the sacrifices made and the challenges faced by the unsung heroes of the NHS.

Twas The Nightshift Before Christmas will be fully illustrated (as tastefully as possible) and will delight all of Adam’s fans throughout the festive period of Christmas 2019 and for many years to come. 

[My Review]

Twas The Nightshift Before Christmas is a worthy follow up to This Is Going To Hurt, an incredibly entertaining memoir from ex-Junior Doctor Adam Kay [read my review here].

You don’t need to have read This Is Going To Hurt to enjoy this book – not at all – but you’ll pick up on some references that you wouldn’t otherwise, of Adam’s life as a Junior Doctor, and the people in his life at the time.

I found myself once again completely sucked into the world of A&E then Gynacology, as Adam battled through many Christmases spent working in the Hospital. There are plenty of hilarous anecdotes, as well as some more emotional and touching stories which balances out Adam’s often mocking tone (but, it has to be said, he’s only mocking where it is – let’s face it – completely justified!)

Of course, this book focuses on the festive period, which for Adam and his colleagues isn’t always that festive. Overworked, undersupported and generally unappreciated by bosses, these poor NHS workers work overtime to ensure that the rest of us have the best Christmas we can have – and stay alive, ideally! You really feel for them, as you do when you read This Is Going To Hurt.

I have to say, this book is way too short – I wanted it to go on twice as long. At just 142 pages, I read it in one sitting and absolutely devoured it, but I did think that paying full price for such a short (and small – it’s a physically small book, so doesn’t fit that many words on each page) is a little steep.

It’s brilliant and very entertaining, but also delivers a stark warning of the gems that keep our NHS going – the staff, from many countries and backgrounds. We should all appreciate them, because if/ when they’re gone, we’ll all be sorry, and I truly believe that with all my heart – and this book, alongside This Is Going To Hurt, only reinforces this sentiment.

Please, bring out more memoirs, Adam – this one was over far too quickly!

[Rating: 5/5]

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