Tengo Sed

The Trauma ICU of a Level 1 trauma center is the setting for this thought-provoking novel, which reveals the ruthlessness of medical education and practice. James Fleming recounts a day in the life of a resident in emergency medicine at an urban teaching hospital. The novelâe(tm)s title, which translates loosely as âeoeI thirstâe� echoes the Christ of St. John. Tengo Sedâe(tm)s protagonist, however, known only as Hovercraft because he is âeoealways around, always...
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The Trauma ICU of a Level 1 trauma center is the setting for this thought-provoking novel, which reveals the ruthlessness of medical education and practice. James Fleming recounts a day in the life of a resident in emergency medicine at an urban teaching hospital. The novelâe(tm)s title, which translates loosely as âeoeI thirstâe� echoes the Christ of St. John. Tengo Sedâe(tm)s protagonist, however, known only as Hovercraft because he is âeoealways around, always feeling on edge,âe� is not a savior but a hapless resident with a tendency toward mysticism. Through HovercraftÃf¢ââes‰âežÂ¢s sleep-deprived eyes we see patients and their families, doctors, and nurses, and we share Hovercraftâe(tm)s increasingly nightmarish perceptions of a world in which things are not going right.

âeoeThe story is remarkably raw and honest, full of mystery instead of certainty, failure instead of success, and humanity instead of science.âe�--Frank Huyler, author of Right of Thirst

âeoeA brutal and beautiful book. I read it straight through in one sitting, totally absorbed, deeply touched and frightened at the same time. The writing is taut, edgy, and original with not a wasted word . . . James Fleming has written a small, tough masterpiece.âe�--John Nichols, author of The Milagro Beanfield War

âeoeStripped-down, elemental, and willing to explore feelings of alienation and rebellion felt by a significant minority of medical students, interns, and residents.âe�--Paul Linde, author of Danger to Self: On the Front Line with an ER Psychiatrist