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AUGUST SOLUTIONS

ACROSS 1. Mark or blemish (4) 3. Climbed (8) 9. Prepare and issue for sale (7) 10. Prison compartments (5) 11. Legal ruling (3) 12. Loathe (5) 13. Language of the Romans (5) 15. Reproach (5) 17. Loop with a running knot (5) 18. Body's vital life force (3) 19. Foot joint (5) 20. Increase in size (7) 21. Christmas season (8) 22. Watchful (4) DOWN 1. Additional (13) 2. U-shaped curve in a river (5) 4. Metamorphic rock (6) 5. Capable of being traded (12) 6. Small toothed whale (7) 7. Devastatingly (13) 8. Action of moving a thing from its position (12) 14. Breathing aid in water (7) 16. Have as a purpose (6) 18. Papal court (5)

John Gaye, Sherborne Literary Society

And Finally by Henry Marsh

(Jonathan Cape, September 2022), £16.99 Sherborne Times Reader Offer Price of £14.99 from Winstone’s Books

For those who have not come across this best-selling author before, Henry Marsh CBE is a retired eminent neuro-surgeon whose previous books, Do No Harm and Admissions, were both Sunday Times no 1 bestsellers and have been translated into 30 languages. They covered his life as a brain surgeon bringing to the reader all the stresses of the medical profession having to deal with so many serious patients, many of whom were obviously not going to see much more time in this world.

Recently Henry was diagnosed with prostate cancer in its advanced stages when, with his expertise, he knew that his chance of survival despite the treatment was never going to be assured. This is his account of experiencing the medical profession from the user’s perspective.

The first part of this book describes why, despite all his medical knowledge, he took to denial over the problems he was experiencing that were clear symptoms of either the prostate problems of old age or indeed the more serious problems of cancer. Unfortunately for him it was the latter and in a fairly advanced state. He describes the mindset of most physicians that led him to this denial; he had, like many doctors, always seen himself as the healer, never the patient.

The second part is the detail of the treatment that was necessary and his experiences as a user of both private and state health services. He has the advantages of being able to pull a few, very few, strings and of course being able to understand more clearly than most the clinical descriptions given by those who are treating him, either as nurses, technicians or surgeons. But it is the insights of being just another victim of this dreadful disease, rather than the all-important surgeon dealing with the problem, that give this book wings. He describes the importance of how waiting rooms, corridors and wards can be designed and decorated to reduce the stress levels of patients, not least the use of nature to improve people’s well-being. He witnesses various qualities in communication skills, and it brings his mind back to how he instructed his junior staff in their dealings both with the patient and with their relatives.

The final section is somewhat more philosophical but still a fascinating insight into how one approaches the end of one’s life. Fortunately for us all, Henry’s treatment, albeit with many unfortunate side-effects, has so far been successful. So, as he is still only 71 years of age, we can be hopeful for another addition to his literary output. But this brush with the afterlife has made him consider the various horrors of dependency on others and on when the lack of the quality of life ceases to justify its continuance.

I feel certain that this book will have the same success as its predecessors. It certainly deserves its place on our bookshelves not just on those of people in the medical professions, for whom it should be compulsory reading.

sherborneliterarysociety.com

Celebrating 10 Years as Sherborne’s Independent Bookseller 2012-2022 8 Cheap Street, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3PX www.winstonebooks.co.uk Tel: 01935 816 128

Talk and signing with Peter James

Creator of the legendary detective Roy Grace, now a major ITV drama starring John Simm Wednesday, September 28th 12.30pm Cheap Street Church, Sherborne Tickets £5, redeemable against the book, available from Winstone’s