Imelda by Richard Selzer (1983): A Review
Title : Imelda (from Letters to a Young Doctor) Author : Richard Selzer Publication Year: 1983 Pages : 16 Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genre : Short Story, Medicine, Memoir Source : Book This is a touching story told by a physician (our narrator) about a renowned plastic surgeon, Dr. Franciscus, who is admired and criticized by others. The narrator and a mobile surgical unit in Honduras spend three weeks with him. One particular patient and the events surrounding her profoundly haunt both Dr. Franciscus and our narrator for the rest of their lives. The story centers on Imelda, a young girl with a deformity, and her mother hopes surgery will grant her beauty. This situation raises a series of questions about arrogance, the ethics of playing God, empathy, and compassion. Even the narrator grapples with conflicting thoughts about what Dr. Franciscus attempted to do for the girl, particularly in light of her tragic death. Was Dr. Franciscus driven by an obsession with perfection and playing God...