Twas The Nightshift Before Christmas

Kay’s second book follows much the same format as the first but focusing on the six Christmases and New Years’ in a row that he spent traipsing up and down hospital wards.

Photo: Picador Publishing

Books

by Zanna Buckland
on 10 February 2022

in Issue 1792

Twas the nightshift before christmas

Author: Adam Kay

This review is slightly overdue given that over a month has passed since Christmas and New Year’s. Kay’s second book follows much the same format as the first but focusing on the six Christmases and New Years’ in a row that he spent traipsing up and down hospital wards. He speculates that this somewhat unfortunate arrangement arose due to spending each year training in a different hospital, and to his being Jewish.

It’s a compelling read whether or not you’re still feeling festive, delving into the ridiculous antics induced by Yuletide fever and the emotional burdens of having to spend the winter holidays as an inpatient or a medic. Being shorter and more subject-specific, it is arguably more lighthearted than the previous title, though not without its own touching moments. Interspersed between perplexing stories of festive items being stuck in places they definitely shouldn’t be, are forlorn anecdotes about telling his significant other and family members he won’t be available for yet another holiday gathering and bringing Christmas lunch to work in Tupperware boxes.

This particular title also makes a good gift for a friend or family member, and - if you manage to remember it until Christmas comes round again - a great stocking filler due to its compactness. It’s small enough that even the hardback version can fit neatly into a bag or large pocket. If you enjoy reading the first book, give this one a go too. The holiday season seems to start earlier each year anyway, so why not add some Christmas spirit to your spring reading list?

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