Our book group choice for December 2015 is A Country Doctor’s Notebook by Mikhail Bulgakov. With the ink still wet on his diploma, the twenty-five-year-old Dr. Mikhail Bulgakov was flung into the depths of rural Russia which, in 1916-17, was still largely unaffected by such novelties as the motor car, the telephone or electric light.
A Country Doctor’s Notebook is a collection of short stories by Mikhail Bulgakov, based on his own experiences as a young doctor in rural Russia during World War I. The stories follow the protagonist, Dr. Ivan Bomgard, as he struggles to cope with the harsh realities of medical practice in a remote and impoverished community.
The stories are divided into two parts. The first part, “The Village,” introduces Dr. Bomgard and his new surroundings. He is a young and inexperienced doctor, fresh out of medical school, and he is quickly overwhelmed by the demands of his new job. The local peasants are suspicious of him, and the conditions in the hospital are primitive. Dr. Bomgard is forced to learn on the fly, and he makes many mistakes.
The second part, “The War,” takes place during the Russian Civil War. The war brings even more chaos and hardship to the region, and Dr. Bomgard is forced to deal with the wounded and dying. He also witnesses the horrors of war, such as the execution of prisoners of war.
Throughout the stories, Dr. Bomgard is shown to be a caring and compassionate doctor, but he is also flawed and human. He makes mistakes, he is afraid, and he sometimes loses his temper. However, he never gives up, and he always tries his best to help his patients.
A Country Doctor’s Notebook is a powerful and moving book that offers a glimpse into the life of a young doctor in a time of great upheaval. It is also a testament to the human spirit, and to the power of hope in the face of adversity.
Here are some of the key themes of the book:
- The struggle between idealism and reality. Dr. Bomgard is a young and idealistic doctor, but he is quickly forced to confront the harsh realities of medical practice in a rural setting.
- The importance of compassion. Dr. Bomgard is shown to be a caring and compassionate doctor, even when he is faced with difficult and challenging situations.
- The power of hope. Despite the hardships he faces, Dr. Bomgard never gives up hope, and he always tries his best to help his patients.
A Country Doctor’s Notebook is a well-written and insightful book that offers a unique perspective on the life of a young doctor in rural Russia during World War I.
Discussion Questions for A Country Doctor’s Notebook
- How did the story’s format affect your enjoyment of the work overall?
- What kind of person is Bomgard? What techniques does the author use to give us a sense of his character?
- Education & qualifications feature repeatedly throughout the book. What is the author saying about knowledge and the differences between academic learning and real-world experience?
- How does the author present the two competing spheres of science and superstition?
- There are a number of references to night, winter, blizzards and gales. Why was this imagery so pronounced?
- How were images of light and dark presented in the book? What did they represent?
- Is this a modern book?
- How was the war referenced in the book? Why was it done so?
- Which chapter did you like best? Least?
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