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The story of two mothers and a father in love with the same daughter, Samuel Shem's At the Heart of the Universe is an epic novel set deep in rural China against the backdrop of an ancient mountain monastery during the time of the one-child-per-family policy. Inspired by the author's experiences as parent of an adopted child, it describes the drama of adoption and the journey of loss and rebirth that can happen when a daughter brings together her adopted mother and father with her birth mother high on a mountaintop.
Read a Rave Review from Diversion Magazine!
In bookstores now from the National Bestselling Author of THE HOUSE OF GOD
This video was produced by The Doctor's Channel, the world's leading video site for docs. Watch over 6000 short videos (free CME too!) on TheDoctorsChannel.com.What do we know of the wife and child the Buddha abandoned when he went off to seek his enlightenment? The Buddha’s Wife brings this rarely told story to the forefront, offering a nuanced portrait of this compelling and compassionate figure while also examining the practical applications her teachings have on our modern lives.
Publisher: Kent State University Press
From the author of 'The House of God' comes a novel about an expatriate doctor called home to Columbia, New York following the death of his mother. As he reacquaints himself with the place, he learns what it means to be a healer, and to be healed.
SAMUEL SHEM IS AVAILABLE FOR SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
A world renowned speaker, Shem is known for his humor and gift for inspiring audiences. Topics include “Staying Human in Health Care—…and in Life.” Also, “Staying Human in Corporations.” For a full list of topics go to: http://wwsg.com/samuel-shem. For booking contact Kelly Dieter at KDieter@WWSG.com.
AT THE HEART OF THE UNIVERSE - RAVE REVIEWS
“This is both a gorgeous novel of particulars set against the fascinating backdrop of the Chinese mountains, and a haun... - Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature
“At the Heart of the Universe is poignant and tender, a novel about love, about parenting and the nature of home. Shem’s ... - Abraham Verghese, author of Cutting for Stone
“The historic confrontation between America and China is distilled to its poignant essence in At the Heart of the Universe&... - James Carroll, author Warburg in Rome
THE SPIRIT OF THE PLACE - RAVE REVIEWS
August 6, 2009
THE SPIRIT OF THE PLACE – Review (Jim O’Toole, The American Oxonian)
August 3, 2009
The Spirit of the Place contains everything – and more
August 3, 2009
“When a class has this much enthusiasm for a book, it bodes well for its future.”
August 10, 2009
What it’s like in a country without war
August 3, 2009
He won’t open up? There’s a reason
July 27, 2009
The patient is the world
July 20, 2009
Five laws of the novelist
July 13, 2009
The farce of dueling psychiatrists
July 6, 2009
Golfing with Updike
June 7, 2009
The pitting of doctor against doctor
October 13, 2008
Valor and fear in surgeons
August 5, 2007
A strike for better healthcare
Listen to the 2009 Harvard Medical School Class Day Keynote Address here, or watch by clicking here