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Copy/paste the text below into your blog. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53169.The_Children_s_Hospital?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=blog_review" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="The Children's Hospital" border="0" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/photo.goodreads.com/books/1170400458m/53169.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53169.The_Children_s_Hospital?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">The Children's Hospital</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/12177.Chris_Adrian">Chris Adrian</a><br/><br/> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/12086237?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review"><h3>My review</h3></a> rating: 4 of 5 stars<br/>Nathan's loaning this to me. I read an excerpt in a Mcsweeney's and LOVED the story. <br/> <br/>The first chapter is awesome, as well. Problem is, the dang thing's too heavy (for a paperback) to lug around everywhere. So it's a couch-only read and must compete with M's and my shameful TV habits. <br/> <br/>Update: almost done! trying really hard to finish ASAP, actually, bc i really ought to spend the weekend rereading Frankenstein for my class. Anyway, I'm completely drawn in despite the almost ridiculously intense theological vision of it. Usually that doesn't compel me so much. <br/> <br/>Anyway, the plot: the world floods, and a children's hospital in SF is the only surviving building, and all people in it are the only survivors, preserved to re-start the world when the waters recede. And the main character, Jemma, is a kind of hapless, frumpy, so-so student doctor who's been given healing powers that can cure any illness (but, turns out, can't fight destiny). And there are angels. it has a little something for everything: a fascinating woman main character, some anthropology (how will this society set itself up?), some psychology, and a big ol dose of speculative theology for those interested in such things. <br/> <br/>Update: I finished it a few weeks back. and I don't know how much I have to add to this. Nathan didn't like the second half as much as the first, but I thought they were pretty consistent. A very startling vision of humanity, all together. And the idea that sick children will eventually start the new world: well, that seems to be good consolation to a burnt-out pediatric surgeon/nurse. Or others damn tired of illness. <br/><br/><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/251129?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">View all my reviews.</a>