Coma (novel)

Robin Cook - Coma

Coma is a medical thriller novel written by Robin Cook. It was first published in 1977 and marked Cook's debut as a novelist. The story revolves around the mysterious occurrences in a Boston hospital where patients mysteriously fall into comas during routine surgeries. The protagonist, Susan Wheeler, a medical student, uncovers a sinister plot involving organ harvesting.

Plot Summary

The novel begins with Susan Wheeler, a third-year medical student at Boston Memorial Hospital, noticing a pattern of unusual comas occurring post-surgery. Curious and concerned, Susan embarks on an investigation that leads her to discover a high-tech facility called the Jefferson Institute. The institute is purportedly a care facility for coma patients but is actually a front for organ harvesting. As Susan delves deeper into the mystery, she faces increasing danger from those who wish to keep the institute's operations a secret.

Themes

Coma explores themes of medical ethics, the commercialization of healthcare, and the dehumanization of patients within the medical system. Robin Cook uses the novel to question the morality of organ transplantation and the potential for abuse within the healthcare industry.

Reception

Upon its release, Coma received critical acclaim for its fast-paced narrative and its ability to blend medical knowledge with suspenseful storytelling. It is considered a pioneer in the medical thriller genre, inspiring numerous authors to explore similar themes. The novel also raised public awareness about the ethical issues surrounding organ donation and medical research.

Adaptations

Coma was adapted into a feature film in 1978, directed by Michael Crichton and starring Geneviève Bujold, Michael Douglas, and Richard Widmark. The film closely follows the novel's plot and was well-received for its direction and suspenseful atmosphere. In 2012, Coma was also adapted into a two-part television miniseries, further cementing its status as a classic in both literature and film.

Legacy

Robin Cook's Coma has left a lasting impact on the medical thriller genre, setting a high standard for subsequent works. It is credited with introducing readers to the complexities and ethical dilemmas of modern medicine, wrapped in a compelling narrative. The novel remains a seminal work for its pioneering approach to blending medical realism with the thriller genre.