Small by Small

I started reading this book not actually realising it was a memoir, I thought it was a brilliant novel. When I realised it was a medical memoir it made it so much better. As brits we constantly complain about the NHS, our educational system and our government. However I think this shows just how lucky we really are, and how easy we have it. I learnt so much reading this book, but also just really enjoyed reading ikes story.

This book is a really vivid and powerful memoir about Ike becoming a doctor in the late 80s, early 90s in Nigeria. The worldbuilding and writing is very inviting and sucks you in. He paints such vivid pictures of Lagos, Enugu and Nsukka.
Interspercing the English text with some Igbo sayings and sentences. The title comes from 'Okwa m da ezi unu, ife du m bu nkenta nke nta.'
Indeed she always does tell us that everything worthwhile is achieved little by little, in small incremental steps. Small by small, like inch by inch, mile by mile.
It was very informative on how medical school and hospitals ran and I learned a lot. Interweaving politics which affected him and his country was done is a very balanced and nuanced way.
He talks about his love of reading fiction, and the way he writes absolutely shows that. I recommend this book to anyone, but specifically people in the medical field around the world. It’s good to get a look and another perspective. 4.5 stars

I absolutely loved "Small by Smalll" by Ike Anya! This memoir is a beautifully written account of the author's journey to become a doctor in Nigeria during the 1990s.

Anya's writing is so engaging and heartfelt that I found myself completely absorbed in his story from the very first page. He shares not only the triumphs and challenges of his medical education but also the personal struggles and cultural nuances that he encountered along the way.

I was particularly struck by Anya's descriptions of the people he met during his medical training. His compassion and empathy for his patients shine through in his writing, and I was deeply moved by his dedication to providing the best care possible.

Another aspect of the book that I found particularly compelling was Anya's exploration of the complex issues facing the healthcare system in Nigeria. He doesn't shy away from discussing the challenges of providing medical care in a resource-limited setting, and he offers thoughtful insights into the ways in which healthcare can be improved in Nigeria and beyond.

Overall, "Small by Small" is a deeply inspiring and emotionally resonant memoir that I would highly recommend to anyone. Anya's writing is so powerful and engaging that I found myself cheering him on every step of the way. Whether you're interested in medicine, Nigerian culture, or simply a great story, this book is definitely worth reading.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this memoir.
I loved it. Insightful and thought provoking. Although the time frame is the 1990's it shows the hardships this young man faced trying to be educated and attend medical school. The same challenges that exist in more affluent countries but with more examples of poor nutrition, housing and medical supplies than we in the UK could possibly recognise.
I do hope that Dr Anya goes on to write a "what happened next" volume sometime soon !

“𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘴: 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘥𝘰𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳, 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘭.”⁣
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This is memoir on becoming a doctor in 1990s in Nigeria.⁣
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Anya takes us on a journey.⁣
From childhood, school days, decisions and choices made along the way through to his days in Medical School till he becomes a full fledged doctor.⁣
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The many challenges and hurdles he faced and overcame,the time he nearly gave up among others.⁣
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He touches on the several change in government, coup d’état and protests that affected and impacted his journey on becoming.⁣
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Governance
Friendship
Education
Family
Health Care
Expectations
Disappointment
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This memoir is very informative and detailed.⁣
I enjoyed reading it and picked up a thing or two.⁣
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Thanks to NetGalley @netgalley and Sandstone Press @sandstonepress for this eARC.⁣
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“𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘺 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦, 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘴.”