In this whip-smart and timely novel from acclaimed author Kimmery Martin, two doctors travel a surprising path when they must choose between treating their patients and keeping their jobs. Georgia Brown’s profession as a urologist requires her to interact with plenty of naked men, but her romantic prospects have fizzled. The most important person in her life is her friend Jonah Tsukada, a … Jonah Tsukada, a funny, empathetic family medicine doctor who works at the same hospital in Charleston, South Carolina and who has become as close as family to her.
Just after Georgia leaves the country for a medical conference, Jonah shares startling news. The hospital is instructing doctors to stop providing medical care for transgender patients. Jonah, a gay man, is the first to be fired when he refuses to abandon his patients. Stunned by the predicament of her closest friend, Georgia’s natural instinct is to fight alongside him. But when her attempts to address the situation result in incalculable harm, both Georgia and Jonah find themselves facing the loss of much more than their careers.
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Dollycas’s Interests
In The Antidote for Everything, we meet Georgia Brown, yes like the song. She is unique in her profession as a urologist which means she sees a lot of naked men and takes care of some of their very important parts. Jonah Tsukada is her best friend, a family medicine doctor and a gay man that provides care for transgender and others of the LBGTQ community. Some of his patients are Georgia’s patients as well. Jonah was disowned by his family when he came out. Georgia was raised by her father, her mother left them behind when she was just 5 years old. Her father has since passed away. Georgia and Jonah are now each other’s family.
Georgia and Jonah work at a hospital founded by a fundamentalist megachurch. That hospital has now decided to stop their doctors from providing care for their LBGTQ patients and Jonah fears he will soon be fired. All this unfolds just as Georgia is set to leave for a conference in Amsterdam.
Mid-flight there is a page for a doctor to help a passenger in distress. She reaches back to her med school training to diagnose and treat the man. Mark McInnis, an American working in Amsterdam is very grateful and offers to buy her a drink when the plane lands. She is immediately attracted to Mark and the feelings are mutual. Her time is then spent between her conference, time with Mark, and worrying about what is happening with Jonah back in the States. Rumors are flying and there is even talk of missing drugs. Georgia is pulled between her new romance and helping her best friend.
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Ms. Martin has taken on a hot topic in the world today. That line between religious beliefs and a doctor’s oath to do no harm. Working at a hospital founded by a megachurch I don’t think the doctors should have been surprised by the decisions made but the author uses the actions as a vehicle to tell a great story of the lengths people will go to for their friends.
The characters Martin has created are genuine and the dialogue is snappy and true to life. Sometimes it is pretty funny too. Georgia is a strong, fiery redhead who doesn’t back down from a challenge. Mark really came to life within these pages. He understood Georgia and Jonah’s relationship and wanted to help. Jonah becomes a fan of Mark’s too.
Martin pursues a very creative plotline that I completely escaped right into. The pacing is perfect with twists that bring out a true mystery element as Gloria stands by her friend through thick and thin. The romance subplot becomes much more as the story moves forward. There were several emotional moments throughout the story. The way patients were treated first made me sad but then quickly made me angry, I felt the same for the way Jonah was treated. Again sadness and anger raised is head as more of what was actually going on was revealed.
A bonus to the book is that we traveled to Amsterdam and there was a hugely hilarious scene that truly had me laughing out loud. We also were able to do a little virtual sightseeing which is always fun.
Kimmery Martin brings all these elements together to give readers a very powerful story. Well-written and plotted the story left me thinking about how important our voices are in this world and the lengths can go to for our friends. The actions the hospital took are happening more than we know and Martin presents the issues in an entertaining way without going too far or in a preachy way. I will get a little preachy myself. Equality is something we should all want and discrimination is not okay.
The Antidote for Everything is a compelling read and I recommend it highly. I reviewed Martin’s debut novel, The Queen of Hearts in 2018 and the last line of my review was “I am excited by this author and can’t wait to see what she writes next.” Well her second novel is even better. She even has characters from that book make a cameo appearance in this one. Again, I can’t wait to see what she writes next.
Kimmery Martin writes terrific hospital drama in a modern, compelling voice. Loved the way she brought the characters to life on the page.
A moving story about the absolute power of friendship and the utter feebleness of intolerance.
What I love about Kimmery Martin’s writing is how much fun she seems to have with words. She’s clever, witty, smart, well-read…sensing a theme here? She’s also thoughtful. And the combination of her facility with words and her social awareness make for a book that can sweep the reader away and spark introspection and dialogue. In “The Antidote for Everything,” Martin brings us the story of two doctors who face a pivot point in their careers, one forced upon them by discriminatory laws that threaten both access to health care and the livelihood of health care providers. But there’s so much more. It’s a story of friendship and loyalty, with deep dives into honesty, integrity, and love, among richly drawn and memorable characters. Should be a top book club pick.
A riveting page-turner that rivals your favorite prime time medical drama. Loved it.
I thought Queen of Hearts was such an amazing story and it was one of my favs from last year. The Antidote was very good but missed some of the spark that made QOH so great. I did love the two main characters all out friendship. They had each other’s back throughout the entire story and I loved that. I look forward to reading her next novel!
Kimmery Martin has done it again in “The Antidote For Everything.” Her use of language and turns of phrase were plenty to keep me reading, but then there were the characters she developed in Georgia and Jonah. Their friendship is the type we all strive for. As a doctor, Martin knows about what she writes and raises timely medical issues with insight and expertise. I often found myself wondering “could that really happen?” And the sad answer is yes. When fiction entertains yet also raises awareness, what better combination is there? A great book club pick for those yearning for a fiery, smart female protagonist whose chief concern isn’t her love life!
I love the touching and funny friendship between two doctors in this story, and the topic of discrimination the story revolves around. Otherness and prejudice in America is a great subject for fiction. The main character’s devotion to her friend reminded me of a friendship I once had, and the compassion she shows, at possible great cost to herself, inspired me. Plus, there’s lots of humor and fun in the story, so I recommend this book and author highly!
Another amazing read from one of the best physician writers of the day. Kimmery Martin has carved out a dominant position in the genre of women’s medical fiction. “The Antidote for Everything” is a warm, uplifting but, at times heart wrenching, medical drama. The protagonist, Dr. Georgia Brown is a female urologist, a rare breed in a surgical subspecialty dominated by men, whose friendship with Dr. Jonah Tsukuda transcends the normal bounds. There is no love interest, he is gay, but theirs is a true platonic love for each other. They’ve shared so many experiences during the course of their young lives that they are like brother and sister–perhaps fraternal twins would be more accurate. The story gets moving early when Georgia saves the life of an eligible man on an airline flight to Amsterdam and they begin to fall in love. As the relationship progresses things become complicated when Georgia discovers the hospital system she and Jonah work for is trying to fire him for treating transgender patients. Martin delves into some important medical and social ethical issues regarding the treatment of individuals based on sexual orientation and identity. These are timely and important topics dealt with in an evenhanded manner that will enlighten and inform without giving the reader a heavy dose of social justice. Her dialogue, as always, is witty and amusing. She has all of the insight one would expect from an experienced emergency medicine physician and explains the medical topics accurately and authentically. It is difficult for a non-medical person to understand some of the topics Martin broaches but I think she has done an outstanding job bringing them to the level all can easily and clearly comprehend. I was fortunate enough to go to one of her book signing events before the book launch tour was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic and can assure her readers she is as witty and intelligent in person as she appears to be on the printed page. I strongly recommend this book.
Dr. Georgia Brown is as vibrant as her fiery hair. A smart, witty, and tenacious urologist, Georgia is full of life despite her love life being somewhat lackluster. She works at a clinic outside of Charleston, South Carolina, with her closest companion being her coworker, family medicine doctor Jonah Tsukada. Georgia and Jonah are as tight-knit as they come, but Georgia has to head out to a medical conference without him
While Georgia is whisked up by the beauty of Europe and a magnetic ex-pat American called Mark, Jonah receives jarring news at work. His patients have been told to find a new doctor, and his LGBTQ+ patients are being denied care. The clinic intends not only to deny medical care to these patients but to enforce their morality clause, putting Jonah, a gay man, in the line of fire. Upon hearing this news, Georgia vows to fight for her friend and closest ally. However, amidst this battle for what’s right many people are harmed and dark secrets are unearthed.
Kimmery Martin, an emergency medicine doctor and author of The Queen of Hearts, delivers a captivating and provocative novel of friendship, difficult choices, and the intolerance still happening today. This story is both thought-provoking and heartwarming. It handles sensitive and timely topics such as medical discrimination, equality, and mental health while balancing them with love, friendship, and loyalty.
Compelling second novel by emergency physician/author; a story replete with engaging but flawed characters seeking personal and professional resolution of daunting moral and professional challenges that test their interpersonal relationships. Therein they discover the antidote for everything. Sensitive and profound treatment of current conflicts over the rights of diverse individuals to follow their own paths and, as physicians, to honor their Hippocratic oath to “keep pure both my life and my art” as they care for all who seek them. Well done, Doc, well done.
Welp, if I wasn’t certain Dr. Martin would be an autobuy after her first novel, The Queen of Hearts, her sophomore effort has convinced me. I loved The Antidote For Everything. It kept surprising me with its twists and turns, had the best “meet cute” ever, and showed the value of friendship in tough times. I even liked the protagonist’s flaws. She makes questionable decisions in her personal and career life but values her patients and doesn’t judge the ill based on their lives and how they identify themselves.
The secondary characters also stood out because of their combination of flaws and positive qualities, and the setting in the Deep South also contributed to the tale.
I look forward to more excellent stories from Dr. Martin.
This book hits my literary sweet spot. I love reading stories about compelling characters which also address important real world issues. Similar to Chris Bohjalian’s early novels like Trans-sister Radio and The Law of Similars (two of my all time favorites), this book takes a close look at a big issue: discrimination in the world of medicine. Though the readers learns a lot about this topic and how much work we still have ahead, the book never feels preachy or like an “issue book.” Martin’s clever and witty writing, funny dialogue and twisty storyline keeps the plot moving while masterfully addressing this important topic. A perfect read for fans of medical dramas like Chicago Med or Grey’s Anatomy. Congratulations to Kimmery Martin on a wonderful second novel!
With her signature compassion and sharp writing, Kimmery Martin delivers a poignant yet compulsively readable story examining the timely topic of medical discrimination. I loved it — and have a new must-read recommendation for book clubs everywhere.
Close on the heels of her successful debut, physician and novelist Kimmery Martin has once again crafted a tale that will thrill readers while simultaneously illuminating how the business of medicine too often fails patients and physicians alike… A story of friendship, loyalty, and redemption, Martin’s second novel is sure to become as beloved as her first.
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “The Antidote for Everything” by Kimmery Martin, Penguin Random House, February 18, 2020
Kimmery Martin, author of “The Antidote for Everything” has written a captivating, intriguing, witty, emotional and memorable novel. The Genres for this story are Fiction, and Medical Fiction. The story takes place in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events. The author describes her characters as complex, complicated, quirky, and for the most part likable. I love the way Kimmery Martin vividly describes her characters, story, and setting.
I appreciate that the author discusses relevant and important contemporary issues that are newsworthy today. Georgia Brown is a Urologist, and her best friend Jonah Tsukada is a physician, working in the same hospital. Jonah works with transgender patients. Georgia is outspoken and asserts herself, and Jonah has tremendous patience for his patients. When the hospital administration takes a stand that legally the doctors won’t be seeing transgender patients, both Jonah, and Georgia have to decide if they stand up for what they believe in, or lose their jobs.
The themes of the importance of friendship, honesty, loyalty, and love are seen throughout this novel. The author also discusses that everyone, no matter what their sexual orientation is or lifestyle, is entitled to medical treatment. This is a wonderful, well written and witty novel that I would highly recommend for readers who enjoy a thought-provoking story.
I was a big fan of Kimmery Martin’s smart, witty debut, THE QUEEN OF HEARTS, and this follow-up does not disappoint. Her characters are fascinatingly brilliant, authentically human, and complicated in ways equally maddening and endearing. In other words, they could be your friends—and by the end of the story, they certainly feel that way. THE ANTIDOTE FOR EVERYTHING has a ripped-from-the-headlines hook: Martin’s take on how doctors and corporations face down all too real stances on discrimination will make you think, feel, and ultimately stand up and cheer. (Thanks to the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy via Netgalley.)
Georgia Brown — just like the song — is a nonconformist. Female urologists are rare. And Georgia is also an opinionated redhead with a nose ring, penchant for 1970’s fashion, and unyielding dedication to her patients. She practices at a privately-owned clinic outside Charleston which is part of a large hospital complex founded by a fundamentalist megachurch. She was raised by her now-deceased father after her mother left when she was just five years old. Jonah Tsukada is more than just her best friend of seven years. Disowned by his own family when he came out to them at the age of 18, Jonah and Georgia are each other’s family. Their relationship is the centerpiece of The Antidote for Everything and the reason why the book is instantly compelling. Martin is known for her characters’ snappy dialogue and the conversations Georgia and Jonah are wholly believable and frequently hilarious. Martin illustrates a friendship that is solid, comforting, often exasperating, and thoroughly indispensable in both of their lives with compassion and authenticity.
As the story opens, another of Georgia’s relationships has ended. She does not have a good track record with men, “perfectly comfortable being picky. She was not perfectly comfortable dating someone who said snide things about the pants size of the cashier at the grocery.” She is scheduled to depart for the a medical conference in the Netherlands, but Jonah, who was supposed to attend with her, never registered. Just before she leaves, Jonah sends a text message: “I think I am going to be fired.” Georgia is, of course, concerned, but Jonah tends toward exaggeration. He then clarifies that he believes his job is not in jeopardy, but “something weird is going on with my patients.”
En route to the conference, Georgia is pressed into service when a medical emergency arises on the flight. Over the Atlantic with nowhere to land, she reluctantly tends to the unconscious passenger. Recalling information learned in medical school, but never put to use in her urology practice, she is able to correctly diagnose the problem. When the plane touches down in Frankfurt, the “mortified” passenger insists on purchasing her train ticket to Amsterdam . . . and buying her a drink. Mark McInnis is a six foot, five inch handsome American living and working in Amsterdam with whom she has “history’s most epic conversation between two strangers on a train,” and to whom Georgia feels an “instant attraction.” The two find that they have much in common. Like Georgia, Mark has had a series of relationships, none of which has been spectacularly successful and, at age forty, he has begun questioning why he has been unable to make a commitment. He tells Georgia that he is attracted to smart, funny women, but that dishonesty is the one thing he cannot tolerate. “I don’t want to be with someone who lies or who hides something major from me. Ever.”
However, as Georgia’s medical conference and romance with Mark are just beginning, back in Charleston Jonah is facing a career crisis. The clinic has notified patients in the LGBTQ community to find other doctors, and rumors are swirling that the medications stolen from the clinic were taken by Jonah.
The pace of The Antidote for Everything never slackens as Jonah’s troubles worsen and Georgia remains by his side, determined to help save his career. Mark proves to be a staunch ally who understands and appreciates Georgia’s devotion to her friend, even as Georgia prioritizes Jonah’s needs over her burgeoning relationship with Mark. And Mark is able to provide assistance — the name of one of the IT experts employed by his company — when Georgia confides that she has an idea that might help Jonah save his job and cause the clinic to rescind its referendum.
Martin examines the lengths to which Georgia will go in her attempt to help Jonah. Jonah’s career, freedom and, eventually, his life are at stake as Georgia navigates a growing crisis at the clinic that threatens her own career. She pursues alliances in surprising quarters as she plots to outmaneuver the clinic powerhouses who want to uphold the clinic’s purported moral standards, along with those of some of the clinic’s other employees, many of whom are members of the church that runs the clinic. Martin’s story is inventively plotted, full of surprising twists and unexpected complications, all of which emphasize the unbreakable bond between Georgia and Jonah, as well as their commitment to equality and access to healthcare for all persons irrespective of their personal characteristics. The result is a fast-paced and frequently shocking, but utterly absorbing and decidedly timely mystery.
Martin challenges readers to contemplate how far they would go to help a friend in need, and consider the implications of laws that permit discrimination in the delivery of medical care or any other essential services, as well as employment. Martin’s compassion and affection for her characters and their circumstances are apparent, but she never permits her narrative to delve into preaching or become heavy-handed in its delivery of a story straight out of current events and the issues that find Americans divided along ideological and political lines. The Antidote for Everything is a compelling, entertaining, and thought-provoking look at the dangers of intolerance and the bounds of friendship.
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader’s Copy of the book.