Review: Right of Thirst, by Frank Huyler

Charles Anderson, a cardiologist, recently helped his wife to die after a long battle with cancer. Seeking redemption, purpose, and escape, he accepts the offer of a self-proclaimed humanitarian fundraiser to become the doctor at a refugee camp in an Islamic country (whose name is never mentioned). Soon after, he finds himself in the mountains of a foreign country, waiting for refugees who never arrive, and occasionally attempting to practice medicine on locals in the valley. Who does show up, however, is the military, both local and aggressive, and all hostile towards the doctor and handful of others who have been in the camps. The result of all the turmoil and empty time is that the doctor has plenty of time on his hands to think about his own motives, and the real nature of foreign aid.

Huyler, himself a cardiologist, writes Thirst with a sincere and sober tone. He draws from experiences of his own as well as stories from others to create a unique novel. It is written very much from a man's perspective, and doesn't pull punches to make the reader more comfortable with either his perspective or with whatever the reader may be feeling. It would have benefitted from more actual interaction with people outside the camp, because all the self-reflection made, at times, for extended dry spells. Because the refugees never arrive, the main interaction in the book is between Charles, a young German woman who becomes the focus of his attentions, and the native military man assigned to, essentially, babysit them. Also, the extensive introspection grows monotonous, but in its own way points out the answers that Charles is looking for; too often, our main concern is ourselves, rather than those around us.

Rating: three stars. interesting topic, uneven application