Do No Harm
Do No Harm by Fiorella De Maria, published by Ignatius Press in 2013, is a thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of medical ethics and legal dilemmas. This first edition, comprising 233 pages, follows Dr. Matthew Kemble, a British emergency room doctor who faces severe repercussions after saving a woman who seemingly attempted suicide. Accused of a crime for his actions, Dr. Kemble’s medical career and freedom hang in the balance as he confronts the implications of his decision against the backdrop of English law and societal expectations.
Readers will find a narrative that intricately weaves together the challenges faced by conscientious doctors in contemporary Britain. The story not only highlights Dr. Kemble’s legal battles but also introduces key figures such as his determined lawyer, Jonathan Kirkpatrick, and Maria, a passionate campaigner who becomes embroiled in the unfolding drama. Through these interrelated stories, the novel raises significant questions about the role of physicians, autonomy, and the clash of values in modern society. Set in and around London, Do No Harm invites readers to reflect on the moral complexities inherent in the medical profession.
Official synopsis Publisher
When a British emergency room doctor saves the life a woman who apparently attempted suicide, he is accused of committing a crime and stands trial. Not only is Dr. Matthew Kemble’s medical practice at risk, but also his liberty. If he is found guilty of trespassing on a woman’s right to die, he could go to jail.
The novel Do No Harm exposes the dangers faced by conscientious doctors in Britain. Dr. Kemble’s decision to treat a patient in defiance of her Living Will pits him against English Law, public opinion and his own profession. The legal and personal battles he faces raise many questions about the role of the physician in the modern world, contemporary beliefs about autonomy and human rights, and the increasingly bitter clash of values in twenty-first century Britain.
Set in and around London, the story explores the interrelated stories of a physician facing ruin and imprisonment at the height of his career, his old friend and doggedly determined lawyer, Jonathan Kirkpatrick, and Maria, a passionate, dedicated but intensely lonely young campaigner who while working for the defense proves incapable of staying out of trouble herself.
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