A Doctor’s Pilgrimage: An Autobiography by Edmund A. Brasset, M.D. ~ 1951. This edition: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1951. First Edition. Hardcover. 256 pages.
My rating: 8/10.
What a great little autobiography this was! Totally unexpected. This was one of the books I picked up in Hope’s fabulous Pages bookstore recently; so far my eclectic selection of books from that source have been overwhelmingly rewarding.
A Doctor’s Pilgrimage covers only a small portion of the life of Nova Scotia physician Edmund Brasset’s life and career, and it appears, from a fairly involved internet book search, that this was Brasset’s only literary endeavour. One can only assume that the man was too busy with his career and family to continue writing, but this lone work is interesting and well written and gives a wonderful portrait of both the man and the time and place he was writing about.
From the inner flyleaf:
The book consists of anecdotes of medical school, internship and work as a novice doctor in rural Nova Scotia, first in poverty-stricken Canso and later in a variety of other communities, ending in the almost utopian Acadian community of Little Brook, a posting which changed Dr. Brasset’s focus for the continuation of his medical career. Dr. Brasset never talks down to his readers; medical terminology is used with great abandon, but never to impress, merely to inform. Character portraits abound, as do retellings of local legends – a mysterious case of spontaneous combustion; the morning discovery on shore of an unconscious man with both legs recently amputated; a woman who believes that she is surrounded by ghosts – as well as asides referring to the author’s strong faith in both the goodness of humanity and the existence of a benevolent God. A very individualistic and opinionated (in a very good way) memoir.
A grand little book, in its happy minor key.
From the back cover, more on the author. (Aren’t these old dust jackets great?)
And last but not least, the Kirkus Review entry for A Doctor’s Pilgrimage, from September of 1951.
A lively, likable record of a doctor’s rewarding if unrewarded first years in practice, and a little black bag full of fascinating cases, Brasset’s story starts when he left Halifax and the ambition to become a brain surgeon behind for Canso in Nova Scotia, where there was only fish and fog. After two years in Canso and a rising debt of several thousand dollars, Brasset was forced to leave for New Waterford where he married Sally, and his obligations increased in spite of a grateful mobster’s attempt to drum up business. A year on the staff of a mental institution widened his experience but did not increase his income, and finally he found a good practice in the remote French-Canadian village of Little Brook. Later given the chance to become a neurosurgical specialist, Brasset found the indifference and institutionalism of working with cases, as against people, less satisfying, made the decision to return to his country doctoring in Little Brook… A record of service which has warmth and humor.
The family eventually moved to the United States; during my internet research I found mention of Dr. Brasset’s son Paul, who is now a successful winemaker in California’s Somona Valley, even naming his winery after his childhood home: Bluenose Wines . (What an interesting little side note I found this to be. One reason I love the internet – such an abundance of rabbit trails one can happily follow!)
Leaves & Pages 
Price??
Hi Janice – not quite sure if you are inquiring if the book in question is for sale, or what I paid for it. 🙂 The books I review are from my personal collection; I’m not in the book-selling business. And I think I only paid a few dollars for this one; it was picked up on a whim, as I enjoy reading biographies. You might be able to find a copy via the ABE network; I haven’t checked but I imagine there will be a few copies out there.
I was a kid when Dr Brasset was in Little Brook. I remember my parents talking about him and of some of his patients. (I read this book as a teenager and would like a copy. Can I buy it for my Kobo reader? Merci.
Hello, Jean. I don’t know if this is available for Kobo, but there are a few copies available through ABE. http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?kn=brasset+doctor&x=30&y=8
Or possibly check in your library system. Best of luck!
Bonjour Jean, personnellement, j’ai trouvé le livre en faisant une recherche sur Internet via un site de livres usagés. Edmund Brasset était mon oncle, comme l’était Juliette Brasset-Mc Govern. Vous êtes parent avec Jane Doucet?
I really enjoyed your review of “A Doctor’s Pilgrimage” which I have read several times as Dr. Brasset was my Uncle Ed. He died suddenly in California in 1961 I think. As a nursing student in 1972 in Antigonish, NS many patients told me how much they liked Dr Brasset. / Jean (Brasset) Rogers
So good to hear from you, Jean. Your uncle sounds like he was a wonderful man, and I greatly enjoyed reading his autobiography. Do you know if he wrote any more memoirs? I am sure he had some more interesting stories to share from further along in his career!
I am the daughter of Dr. Edmund Brasset. I just want to report that my remaining siblings–Ron, Jim and Paul Brasset–are very touched by the review and commentaries re our father’s book. My cousin Mary Jean Rogers (above) is correct: He died in California shortly after moving the family here in 1959. He wasn’t only a great humanitarian; he was beautiful father–kind and gentle and attentive–to we, his children. He remains a hero in our memories for his wonderfully forgiving personality and the way he treated everyone he knew with genuine respect.
Hi Donna, I just read your Dad’s autobiography ” A Doctor’s Pilgrimage” and loved it. I was born in the same town as your Dad, Inverness, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia and my family still lives there and I still have a summer home there but live in Halifax, N.S. now.The town has evolved over the years since your Dad lived there , the coal mines are all gone and in their place there are 2 world class golf courses, Cabot Links and Cabot Cliff’s.
Enjoyed your Dad’s book very much, it was a very simpler time back then when he practiced in N.S. Thanks
Wendell Mac Kinnon
w2582183@hotmail.com
Since I 1st messaged on this site I have acquired 2 copies one older & the 2nd a newer one. I love the story.I treasure the books.
I just started reading this book which I found in a second hand bookstore in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. I piqued my interest because my ancestor, also a doctor, arrived in Canso, Nova Scotia in 1817, from Glasgow, Scotland (orginally from County Down, Northern Ireland), He practiced in Arichat, Cape Breton (across the Strait from Canso), for 40 years, but lived in Canso during his first year in Canada. So, far, I’m enjoying this book immensely.
I was able to purchase a copy of the book. I totally enjoyed it & have loaned it to others who also liked it very much.