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| Magnificent Obsession | 
| Author: Lloyd C. Douglas
Publisher: Mariner Books
Category: Book
List Price: $14.00
Buy Used: $3.25
You Save: $10.75 (77%)
New (35) Collectible (5) from $8.04
Avg. Customer Rating:  30 reviews
Sales Rank: 37827
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 336
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.9
ISBN: 0395957745
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.52
UPC: 046442957748
EAN: 9780395957745
ASIN: 0395957745
Publication Date: April 7, 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
When Robert Merrick's life is saved at the expense of the life of an eccentric but adored surgeon, the carefree playboy is forced to reevaluate his own path. Merrick embarks on a course of anonymous philanthropy, inspired by reading the doctor's private papers. An engaging and dramatic story of personal redemption and private sacrifice, this spiritual tale has served as an inspiration for both the stage and screen.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 25 more reviews...
 A timeless novel about medicine October 22, 2008
This novel concerns the life changing experience of a young man, rich and spoiled, whose life is saved one day when he nearly drowns when drunkenly knocked overboard from his sailboat. At the same time that a pulmotor (an obsolete type of respirator) was being used to save his life, the owner of the respirator succumbed to drowning in another part of the lake. Thus, one life is exchanged for another. As it happens, the drowning victim is a famous neurosurgeon and the young man finally comes to the painful conclusion that he must try to replace the older man and earn his salvation. The novel is quite dated, having been written in 1929. The young man becomes a neurosurgeon in an era when neurosurgery is a very grim and difficult field. For all that, the medical parts are interesting.
There is a religious aspect to the story as Lloyd C Douglas was a minister and religious writer, author of The Robe, a novel of Biblical times. The young man learns that the man he wishes to emulate had a secret life in which he performed good works, aiding people in difficulty and swearing them to secrecy. He comes to the conclusion that this secret practice of charity is, in fact, the secret of the New Testament and of Jesus' life.
The novel, in spite of its anachronisms, is enjoyable for the surgeon and physician, especially as one learns that story is based on the life of a real person. I have written a review of another book (http://www.amazon.com/review/RDAJNXZ9AQMKG/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm) which is the memoir of that man, Edgar Kahn. In addition to being a neurosurgeon, and a wealthy young man who chose a harsh profession, Dr. Kahn practiced the same sort of charitable activity described in the novel although the supernatural aspects are not mentioned. In fact, the memoir is interesting but mentions nothing about his good works in the community. That is described by others who knew him.
Magnificent Obsession has become even more enjoyable for me with the knowledge that it is based on the life of a real person.
 Inspirational, Well Told, Good Old Fashioned Story October 11, 2008
A few reviewers felt the book was "dated", having been written in 1929. That was one of the things I loved about the story; being taken back to everyday life in 1929 through current medical practices, mannerisms of speech, cultural norms of the day, etc; straight from the horses mouth. Douglas is a good story teller; whatever he happened to be describing, whether mundane or profound, was fascinating to me and drew me in. It's a spiritual story, a romance story, a medical drama, an uplifting, positive adventure of a young man on the brink of despair. These days, when we seem to be so highly focused on our own material needs, alienated against those with less than ourselves, insulated against the suffering of those outside our immediate circle, this story of reaching out to others hits a particular high note. A story I was eager to get back to at the end of the day.
American literature of the First Water June 19, 2008
"Magnificent Obsession" is the inspirational story of an aristocratic and reckless playboy named Bobby Merrick. He starts out badly in the beginning of the story -- during one of his numerous peccadillos, a boating accident, he requires the use of a breathing machine which happens to be the only one available in the region. Coincidentally, a local physician, the beloved Doctor Hudson, has a heart attack at about the same time and he also requires the breathing machine which is already in use on the lugubrious Merrick. It tragically fails to get to Doctor Hudson in time to save his life.
Merrick finally hears all about what he has given rise to and subsequently tries to make amends but the local folks, all of whom loved Doctor Hudson, aren't buying his brand of remorse. So, Merrick commits to change his life and, as a consequence, becomes incongruously entwined with those he has hurt most.
"Doctor Hudson's Secret Journal" was written in 1939 and is the inspirational story of Doctor Hudson who knew a life secret, actually an epiphany, based upon a quotation from "The Holy Bible," and found specifically in the Book of Matthew, ("Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.....That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.")
Doctor Hudson kept his life secrets in code, a document which was found among his belongings subsequent to his untimely death "Magnificent Obsession."
"Doctor Hudson's Secret Journal" is NOT a sequel to "Magnificent Obsession," the latter being written ten years earlier in 1929. It's sort of the other way about, Douglas himself referring to "Doctor Hudson's Secret Journal" as an "Overture" to "Magificent Obsession".
However, one could reasonably assert that the two works were written "out of sequence" and if you read one, you'll really benefit by reading the other, even though each of these novels stands on its own. It really does not matter which you choose to read first.
Lloyd C. Douglas, who lived from August 27, 1877 to February 13, 1951, was originally ordained as a Lutheran minister but later changed denominations to become a minister in the Congregational Church. His greatest novel, "The Robe," was written in 1942 and focuses on the fictional story of the Roman Centurion who killed Jesus Christ at the crucifixion and ultimately found himself in possession of Christ's robe. This work was made into a fine film and the book itself sold over two million copies.
"Magnificent Obsession" often gets passed over by many who have erroneously heard that it's "religious reading," likely due to the actuality that the author was a minister. To the contrary, while there exists a clear moralistic undertone to the story, this book is a great example of fine American literature of the First Water, albeit it's a bit melodramatic in places. Highly recommended.
Magnificent Obsession by Lloyd C. Douglas April 6, 2008
I read the book many years ago and loved it then. Just re-reading it lately made me want to share it with a lady wanting to read good Christian literature. My only disappointment is with the COVER of the book offered now . . . I felt it was "ugly" and did not relate to the story or message of the book at all. PLEASE CHANGE IT .... a totally blank cover would be much more desirable!! Please DON'T JUDGE THIS BOOK BY IT'S COVER --- because it's powerful message can be life changing.
Magnificent Indeed February 22, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Magnificent Obsession is a story of interwoven lives, deeds done in secrecy, and love shared but not spoken. This is not a biblical story or a story that is designed as a bible teaching. It is purely a work of fiction and should be sought after only as such.
Summary: Bobby Merrick lives and Dr Hudson dies. There is to much to ruin in the story buy giving away more than that. Suffice to say that Dr. Hudson's death profoundly changes Bobby Merrick and for the betterment of the world! I can find no negatives about this book, the writing is exquisite and the plot line keeps the book in your hands.
Breakdown Review:
Storyline: I give 5 out of 5 stars Mesmerizing storyline.
Writing style: 5 out of 5 stars. Lloyd C. Douglas writing style has a type of cadence to it a sort of rhythm that makes it almost poetic at times.
Depth/Inspiration: 5 out of 5 stars. There are several spiritual undertones in the book that could be live changing to any individual that was willing to pursue them as did Bobby Merrick.
Entertainment/Education value: 5 out of 5 stars. This is one of the most entertaining books that I have read to date. If anyone gives this novel a low review it is because they picked up this novel to read for other than entertainment. This book isn't going to make you religious, increase your spiritual knowledge, and it certainly isn't going to change your religion.
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