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jo_siah's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.75
emmawhitmore's review
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
0live_tr33's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Suicide attempt, Car accident, Blood, Death, Pregnancy, Excrement, Gore, Alcohol, Cursing, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Body horror, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Physical abuse
cageyrat's review
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Suicidal thoughts
emufranklin's review
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I knew John and whilst this book showed him at his worst it was a fitting tribute and a must read for any aspiring paramedic
thelifeoflaura's review
5.0
In this riveting memoir, Gilmour recounts the call-outs that summer: some dangerous, some gruesome, some downright ridiculous. And we meet fellow paramedic John who, they say, can get a laugh out of everyone except the dead. As the city heats up that summer, however, even John begins to lose his sense of humour. People are unravelling - and Benjamin and John are no exception.
An absolutely amazing book. Eye opening, heart breaking and very funny. Benjamin Gilmour has such a knack for writing that at times you will question whether you are reading a non-fiction book. The book follows Gilmour through a summer of call outs. While I knew being a paramedic was hard, this book really opened my eyes to some of the real challenges that paramedics face each and every day. It gives you insight into the other side - the demons that paramedics battle, even when the show up to help you smiling and laughing and seeming like they have it all together. It has given me new respect for those that care for everyone - no matter how serious the illness. It is threaded together with humor (at times dark) and insights into the life outside of the profession. While I wouldn't recommend this to the faint hearted, I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who thinks they are up to the read, or who wants more insight into the profession of a paramedic. It was truly amazing.
An absolutely amazing book. Eye opening, heart breaking and very funny. Benjamin Gilmour has such a knack for writing that at times you will question whether you are reading a non-fiction book. The book follows Gilmour through a summer of call outs. While I knew being a paramedic was hard, this book really opened my eyes to some of the real challenges that paramedics face each and every day. It gives you insight into the other side - the demons that paramedics battle, even when the show up to help you smiling and laughing and seeming like they have it all together. It has given me new respect for those that care for everyone - no matter how serious the illness. It is threaded together with humor (at times dark) and insights into the life outside of the profession. While I wouldn't recommend this to the faint hearted, I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who thinks they are up to the read, or who wants more insight into the profession of a paramedic. It was truly amazing.
darladark's review
5.0
I'd rate this 6 stars if I could. Ben's writing is amazing. So clear and concise but also detailed. I've always felt grateful for emergency services people, and this just cements it.
keepingupwiththepenguins's review
4.0
The front cover of The Gap by Benjamin Gilmour promises the story of “a paramedic’s summer on the edge”, and it delivers! See, The Gap is the name of a notorious suicide spot, a clifftop at Sydney’s Watson’s Bay, and for the summer of 2008, Gilmour worked as a paramedic based out of the nearest ambulance station. This is his memoir, and Penguin Random House Australia was kind enough to send me a copy for review.
Again and again, he circles back around to The Gap, where 50+ people die by suicide each year. The paramedic’s job is usually to talk them down, sometimes to help with retrieving a body, or informing loved ones. Gilmour wrote this book, from his detailed notes and diaries, at the urging of fellow paramedics, who want to open a conversation about suicide and mental health in this country.
An extended review of this book is available exclusively to subscribers at Keeping Up With The Penguins.
Again and again, he circles back around to The Gap, where 50+ people die by suicide each year. The paramedic’s job is usually to talk them down, sometimes to help with retrieving a body, or informing loved ones. Gilmour wrote this book, from his detailed notes and diaries, at the urging of fellow paramedics, who want to open a conversation about suicide and mental health in this country.
An extended review of this book is available exclusively to subscribers at Keeping Up With The Penguins.