Anaesthetist. Intensivist.
Award-winning author.
Dr Mark ZY Tan

Praise

Scars & Stains: Lessons from Intensive Care

Although some of the stories are harrowing to read, Tan has not suffocated his prose with excessive or gory medical details, but manages to convey a humane approach to patient care in spite of the usual cliched scenarios faced in a mechanized and sometimes dehumanizing setting.

Arpan Banerjee

A beautifully written book

A raw, honest account of caring for critically ill patients. A beautifully written book that lays bare the challenges for patients, families, and providers, of pushing the boundaries of modern medicine. A must-read for those interested in the delivery of medical care.

Hannah Wunsch

An inspirational and powerful book.

Moving, compelling and beautifully written this selection of stories from Intensive Care is eloquent and absorbing. The stories (described by the author as ‘lessons’) range from tragic and poignant to triumphant. Mark writes eloquently with prose at times quite akin to poetry.

Moira Brinacombe

Moving read of humanity

I had high expectations of the book when it was first released for pre-order. These expectations were surpassed…If you’re a medical professional, perhaps this book will bring catharsis, and make you feel that your struggles are not alone. If you are a layperson (like me), this book will illuminate the thin line between life and death, and perhaps make you ponder issues such as end of life.

Shen Ting Ang

Well written and readily accessible.

It is the human stories that make this book compelling. Most are patient-related, but some are highly personal to the author – with one or two making the reader feel that perhaps too much has been revealed. However, it does reinforce the openness and self-awareness of the approach and strengthens the reader’s confidence in the authenticity of the account. This book is very timely given the ongoing COVID inquiry in the UK.

Tony Redmond OBE

Telephone Lament

Compassionate and so heart-wrenching.

David

Deeply moving

Sometimes invigorating and buoyant, sometimes raw and confronting, this deeply moving insight into the life of an intensive care doctor will stay with readers long after they have put their copy down. Reflecting on a series of patient encounters in anaesthetics and ICU settings, Dr Mark Tan writes with literary eloquence, disarming frankness, but above all with spellbinding humanity.

Anna Greenwood

A true gem

“Scars and stains” is an apt summary of what’s left on both the patient and the doctor. And, now, the reader, too; who gets a glimpse into the mind and heart of this award-winning author. Here’s the story behind the story, finely tuned and refreshingly painted. A glimpse of purposefulness.

Andrew Goh

Resilience & Wisdom

Dr. Mark ZY Tan has written Stars and Stains with equal parts memoir and vignettes. Drawing from a rich palette of complex patient experiences, the pages contain the flame of human resilience and the warmth of abundant wisdom. This is a book not just for those interested in intensive care or those thinking more deeply about critical illness, dying, and death. It is also for those keen to discover the true cost of survival, and live in light of such knowledge.

 

Wes Ely

Telephone Lament

…the MOST moving thing I have heard – or read – during this whole pandemic. It reduces me to tears. Your humanity, compassion and dedication shine through.

Jan Cobley