The Accidental Optimist's Guide to Life - Softcover

Emily Joy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1903070430 ISBN 13: 9781903070437

Publisher: Eye Books Direct, 2005

Synopsis

Exploring an inimitable philosophy of hope and humor through a variety of ups and downs, this quirky recollection illustrates the author s search for the meaning of life. Depicting her experiences as the only doctor on call for an entire hospital in Sierra Leone in the midst of civil war, this portrait tells a story of optimism triumphing over what might elsewhere be the makings of disappointment and despair. From births and illnesses to family deaths and problem pets, this frank and unpredictable memoir demonstrates the remarkable insights that can be discovered from living through the seemingly unremarkable. "

About this title

Synopsis:

So what happens when you find your man? Emily thought she was kind, considerate, good-natured with a great sense of humour, but that was before she had a husband. She thought being the only doctor on call for a whole hospital in Sierra Leone in the middle of civil war was hard, but that was before children. She thought she loved chocolate. Hmmm ...she still loves chocolate. If 42 is the meaning of life, then why is it at 42 years of age the Accidental Optimist is still searching? Probably because with three small children a husband and two dogs she can never find a blooming thing. Shit happens. Just as well really as constipation can be very painful. The Accidental Optimist's Guide to Life explores Emily's inimitable philosophy of hope and humour through the example of her own ups and downs. It tells the story of optimism triumphing what might elsewhere be the makings of disappointment, despair, exhaustion or just low level irritation; births, illnesses, family deaths, and problem pets. It is a classic in the genre of generating remarkable insights out of living through the seemingly unremarkable. And it is funny.

About the Author:

Dr. Emily Joy was not the much longed for kind of only child, rather, the 'we never really planned on you, dear' kind. She started life as an Airforce daughter in the Outer Hebrides, then moved to Singapore and back to the UK when her father crashed his aeroplane into a water buffalo. She went to Edinburgh University Medical School with grand plans to save lives and discover sex. Instead she discovered squash, alcohol and the travel bug. She worked for two years in New Zealand, before becoming a GP in York. Soon she was dreaming of the world beyond her cosy back street surgery. Perhaps two years in Sierra Leone with Voluntary Service Overseas would fulfil her goals?

About this edition

• Publisher: Eye Books Direct
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 1903070430
• ISBN 13: 9781903070437
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256