DR. GRASS
BY GRANIA DAVIS | PUBLICATION: MARCH 1978AVON BOOKS | GENRE: ADULT FICTION
RATING: ★★★★✬
"One of those cheer-me-up books."
____________________________________________________________________
An MD as outrageous as your doctor's bill.
Ernie Spiegelglass gets high, gets involved, and is about to complete his residency ... he hopes.
Brash, brilliant, and often profane, Ernie (alias Doc Sparrowgrass) enters the world of a San Francisco clinic and turns the entire place upside down with his riotous romances and his own unique style--which includes treating patients like people. The medical establishment is turned off to his idea of medicine--from the heart, not by the book--but Ernie can't turn his back on anyone who comes to him for help, even if it means jeopardizing his career.
DR. GRASS is a funny, honest, poignant book about a refugee from the 1960's growing up and not selling out in the 1970's.
Ernie Spiegelglass gets high, gets involved, and is about to complete his residency ... he hopes.
Brash, brilliant, and often profane, Ernie (alias Doc Sparrowgrass) enters the world of a San Francisco clinic and turns the entire place upside down with his riotous romances and his own unique style--which includes treating patients like people. The medical establishment is turned off to his idea of medicine--from the heart, not by the book--but Ernie can't turn his back on anyone who comes to him for help, even if it means jeopardizing his career.
DR. GRASS is a funny, honest, poignant book about a refugee from the 1960's growing up and not selling out in the 1970's.
____________________________________________________________________
Grania Davis died last April 28 of 2017. I know that seems a gloomy way to start a blog post. But today is a gloomy day here in our small spot in the globe. It's been cloudy all day and the temperature dropped to 2°C. And gloomy days make me want to reach out for my comfort books. Books that are still buried inside boxes in the basement. Which box? I am not entirely sure. Anyways, DR. GRASS by Grania Davis is one of those cheer-me-up books.
Dr. Ernest Spiegelglass, MD, is a family practice resident at Carmel Hospital in San Francisco. His friends call him Doc Sparrowgrass. He is a hippie to the core and rides his skateboard to work every day. Unlike any other doctor, Dr. Grass treats his patients in a very unique manner, not the usual “by-the-book” procedures. He believes that heart-to-heart is the best way to go. But oftentimes, his unconventional ways fish him troubles. And his weed-induced fantasies are odd, bordering shameless.
Dr. Grass is one of the those cherished books I got during high school days. The texts are vivid and explicit. I’ve reread it many times and it's always good to know that it can still make me laugh, like bwahahaha out loud.
It is a sad thing that Ms. Davis is no longer with us and nobody ever bothered reprinting copies since 1978. But if you do find one, consider yourself lucky. DR. GRASS can cure your gloomy day for sure!
Dr. Ernest Spiegelglass, MD, is a family practice resident at Carmel Hospital in San Francisco. His friends call him Doc Sparrowgrass. He is a hippie to the core and rides his skateboard to work every day. Unlike any other doctor, Dr. Grass treats his patients in a very unique manner, not the usual “by-the-book” procedures. He believes that heart-to-heart is the best way to go. But oftentimes, his unconventional ways fish him troubles. And his weed-induced fantasies are odd, bordering shameless.
Dr. Grass is one of the those cherished books I got during high school days. The texts are vivid and explicit. I’ve reread it many times and it's always good to know that it can still make me laugh, like bwahahaha out loud.
It is a sad thing that Ms. Davis is no longer with us and nobody ever bothered reprinting copies since 1978. But if you do find one, consider yourself lucky. DR. GRASS can cure your gloomy day for sure!
TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TUMBLR | BLOGLOVIN | GOODREADS
About the Author:
Grania Davis (nee Grania Kalman) was an American author and editor of science fiction and fantasy novels and short stories. She was also the primary editor of the posthumous work of her former husband, Avram Davidson.
Grania Davis (nee Grania Kalman) was an American author and editor of science fiction and fantasy novels and short stories. She was also the primary editor of the posthumous work of her former husband, Avram Davidson.
Posts
read this in middle school. it was in my dad's library in the early 70's. I still have the copy. i didn't realize she wrote other books. i thought the author was a male for years.
ReplyDeleteWhew, good to know that there is another living copy out there!
DeleteOh, Grania Davis was a guy??? Holy smokes! I think Dr. Grass is a great book, and I just thought about it today because a friend said he dreamed last night that he was swimming with dolphins, just as Dr. Grass does at the beginning of the book. I seem to remember he described being aroused in a specifically male way, so again I say holy cow! I've read only one other book or short story in which a female described a male POV so well.
ReplyDeleteI liked Dr. Grass's initial relationship with a hot babe with whom he has only one thing in common - sex - and the way that he develops a relationship with a somewhat dowdy girl who blooms into babedom through the relationship. I also recall that there's big scene in which Dr. Grass does acid and almost freaks out. That was unexpected because he is portrayed as being real familiar with weed, so why should he get freaked out about doing acid? That's somewhat of a plot flaw, but overall the book is such a happy treat that the reader (i.e., me) doesn't care.
Great book!
Peace out -
Nope, pretty sure Ms. Davis was a girl.
ReplyDeleteShe co-authored several fantasy books too, but this is the only book I have of her. I wish to have a copy of Moonbird someday, but no rush.
Good luck on your travels, Tim!
I am biased as Grania was my mom. Thanks for remembering her. Dr. Grass was a bit risqué (again maybe because it was written by my mom.) It's a great story written about a slice of time and still relevant given current health care conditions. Just had it released in Audio format. Please enjoy if you like. It's really good. Her other books are coming out in audio shortly. https://www.audible.com/pd/Dr-Grass-Audiobook/1799937534?qid=1598310730&sr=1-1&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=e81b7c27-6880-467a-b5a7-13cef5d729fe&pf_rd_r=GCBB79H047P2EVK05WAT
ReplyDeleteWow, this is so awesome. I am excited!
DeleteThank you for this update.