'Wind-whipped and salt-stung, Malcolm's account of island life is both grounding and immensely heart-warming. He is to GPs what James Herriot is to vets.' MATT GAW

'A fascinating, funny and utterly heart-warming family adventure. Beautifully written and completely unforgettable.' RUTH HOGAN

'A mesmerising read about a personal journey, this book is all versions of love (with the island of Eday in starring role).' HANNAH PERSAUD

'I love the descriptions of the landscape and everyday life.' DOLLY ALDERTON
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Set in the wild and remote landscape of Eday, part of the Orkney archipelago, Close to Where the Heart Gives Out is the unflinchingly honest and moving tale of rural life, from the only doctor on the island ...
___________

In his forties, Malcolm gave up his job in suburban Glasgow when a persistent seed that had been growing inside him started to bloom, disrupting the foundations of his life. When he saw the job advert, 'urgent: island doctor needed', he applied immediately. What he didn't anticipate was how much Orkney would affect his family, for better or worse.

In stories that range from the humorous to the deeply moving, Malcolm describes what it's like adjusting to life without modern conveniences and to the extreme - and constantly changing - weather; and what it means to be providing the best medical care to the local population with limited resources. Which often includes the wildlife as well ...

Malcolm's journey evokes the awe that the Orkney landscape can inspire, as well as the challenges of island life and the demons that the dark, cold winter months can give birth to. Gripping and beautifully written, Close to Where the Heart Gives Out reminds us of the importance of listening to our heart, as well as to the rhythms of the landscape.

Close to Where the Heart Gives Out is the unflinchingly honest and moving memoir of rural life in Orkney, from the only doctor on the island ...

About the Author
Dr Malcolm Alexander graduated from Edinburgh University in 1980 with the single thought of becoming a General Practitioner. Life had other plans, and he became Medical Director for Orkney Health Board and he finished his career working for 11 years as Associate Medical Director for the Scottish National Telephone Triage service, NHS 24, before finally returning to face-to-face practice in his local GP practice on one of the Scottish islands. He lives in an old Victorian home on the Isle of Bute.

Reviews
[An] utterly enchanting casebook * Daily Mail *
A fascinating memoir... an ode to island life in all its glorious foibles and heart-soaring delights * The Herald *
Orkney, more than any other place that I've been, really did get under my skin... I love the descriptions of the landscape and everyday life in Close to Where the Heart Gives Out * Dolly Alderton, The High Low Podcast *
A fascinating, funny and utterly heart-warming family adventure. Beautifully written and completely unforgettable -- Ruth Hogan, author of 'The Keeper of Lost Things'
Wind-whipped and salt-stung, Malcolm's account of island life is both grounding and immensely heart-warming. He is to GPs what James Herriot is to vets -- Matt Gaw
A mesmerising read about a personal journey, this book is all versions of love (with the island of Eday in starring role) -- Hannah Persaud
If you liked reading about life on a small Orkney island in The Outrun, then this will give you more... * Amy Liptrot, Author of 'The Outrun' *



Book Information
ISBN 9781789290981
Author Dr Malcolm Alexander
Format Hardback
Page Count 320
Imprint Michael O'Mara Books Ltd
Publisher Michael O'Mara Books Ltd
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 135mm * 28mm