To date, Farris has largely published work about being a parent, with easygoing humor, relatable, scribbly characters and a dash of cuteness. This graphic memoir of her time in medical school and residency explores an entirely different world, dissecting cadavers, and attending in operating rooms, but Farris’ gentle, pointed comedic sense still suffuses every page. The story begins at its own ending—waddling through a hospital hallway, nude, in labor with her first child, Farris calmly declines a gown—“It’s okay. I work here.” From there, she loops back to recount her journey to that moment. Chapters are organized by sections of schooling, detailed with a straightforward chart near the book’s beginning. The pre-clinical years are spent in classrooms, studying from textbooks and body parts, bonding with peers, and meeting her future husband outside of the program. The clinical years consist of rotations through specialties like pediatrics, surgery and the psychiatric ward, where Farris observes a diversity of attitudes toward patients and practice, some deeply humane, others coldly clinical, and a few downright prejudicial. Internship and residency allow her to understand doctoring more holistically, which leads Farris to growing confidence relating to patients and increased satisfaction in her work. Finally, on graduation day, Farris oversleeps and realizes she’s pregnant, and her life as a doctor begins. Farris uses her accessible visual style and straightforward tone to explore medical concepts with elegant directness—from cell death to hospital codes, from electroconvulsive therapy to palliative care. She is well-versed in cartooning as communication, and it’s refreshingly clear that she prizes comprehensive, communicative care in her day-to-day work as a physician as well.
