Suzanne Pritchard

Thumbs up for Dr. Pembrook's bootstrap tale of young Elliot, newly graduated from medical school against all odds. Elliot has witnessed and survived horrific domestic violence, left to fend for himself as a street-smart adolescence, and now finds himself targeted by the VA administrator and supervising physician to expel him from their residency program. Veterans unfortunate to be inpatients are collateral damage, some even murdered in an attempt to frame Elliot who has become a difficult target with enough peer support to thwart their efforts. Good writing weaves keen insights and observations, vivid descriptions, first person narration in the form of virtual letters to his long-deceased grandparents, and increasingly complex intrigue around the VA community, following an assassin into the darkest corners. The story is smooth reading, well-paced and absorbing. Los Angeles in the 1970's is recalled accurately, particularly the plight of veterans in the wake of the Vietnam War, and their bitterness toward the VA for failing to provide adequate care. I'll add my observation that to their credit, based on years of weekly volunteering in their hospice and acute psychiatric units, the VA these days has done a 180-degree turnaround, partly due to their association with Planetree International. Our veterans now receive skillful, compassionate care with community enrichments through active volunteer programs. The good doctor delivers a tonic for the soul, ancient wisdom offered as a pathway forward for the troubled. To paraphrase these basic key points to maturity: Meaningful happiness is found by maintaining discipline to lead a virtuous life. It must be accepted that events and circumstances are often beyond the individual's control, perhaps handed down by a higher force. Materialism is a detriment to this spiritual pathway and must not become a priority. I would comment that those left suffering by childhood trauma, neglect and abuse will have a distressed inner child to comfort and soothe, much as an effective parent would have done. Perhaps an internal dialogue, talking directly to the child you were, repeated often enough might work its way toward calming the anger, fear and neediness. Include a daily expressed plan for meals to alleviate anxiety from the food insecurity children suffer. For example: "We are having a chicken sandwich for lunch and a tuna salad for dinner." "You did a good job." "You only deserve good things to happen." "You are going to grow up and have a wonderful life." "You will meet people who will love you and admire you." Then take yourselves out for some ice cream.