The House of God by Samuel Shem, M.D.

The House of God by Samuel Shem, M.D.

Enter the infamous "House of God" in Samuel Shem's groundbreaking, darkly hilarious, and brutally honest cult classic about the horrors and absurdities of medical internship. Fresh out of the "Best Medical School," Dr. Roy Basch and his fellow interns are ready to save lives at one of the country's most prestigious teaching hospitals. Instead, they're thrown into a relentless gauntlet of crushing hours, life-and-death decisions with little guidance, and an endless stream of bewildered and bewildering patients. Under the cynical tutelage of the brilliant resident known only as the Fat Man, they learn his infamous "Laws of the House of God" – the unwritten, often outrageous rules for survival. This unforgettable novel rips the Band-Aid off the medical training experience, exposing the exhaustion, dehumanization, and gallows humor required to navigate the system while desperately trying to hold onto one's own humanity.

Why You’ll Love This Book

Discover the "raunchy, troubling, and hilarious" (The New York Times) novel that became a touchstone for generations of medical professionals and readers fascinated by the world behind the hospital doors. You’ll be captivated by the sharp satire, unforgettable characters like the Fat Man, and the shockingly honest portrayal of the pressures faced by young doctors. If you appreciate dark humor, unflinching realism, and a story that profoundly impacted discussions about medicine, The House of God is a singular, must-read experience.