Title: The Law’s Delay
Author: Hugh Cameron
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 1669852083
Pages: 212
Genre: Fiction / Literature
Reviewed by: Liz Konkel

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This tale is lighthearted and depicts the life story of an orthopedic surgeon in a fictitious account as he navigates how life takes him between medicine and the law. The narrator finds his footing at this intersection by assisting with various cases and contributing expert advice on injuries and outcomes that help during trials. The events which take place are fictional, although there are some real inspirations and influences which are woven throughout his life. The story begins in Scotland and continues through various locations which have a significant impact on his career as a surgeon due to what he discovers there.

There is a playfulness in how the story is structured with a directness at the beginning which tells you this is a fictitious story and a fictitious narrator. This was reminiscent of classic literature which while telling you it is not real, also sets up events as if they are real. This style is maintained throughout the story and pairs well with the reflective tone the narrator often uses. Through the tone, you can garner the personality of the narrator from the beginning which helps understand the impact of the various highlighted events. The setting is an important component in the story as it directly impacts the narrator’s perspective. There are various locations seen; each provides a significant backdrop to moments in his life and career as a surgeon. The story opens with a small mining village which gives a starting point for the narrator’s journey and establishes the mindset that is present.

There are several instances where the narrator is looking back from a modern-day perspective and thinking about how things were different when he was growing up. The reflective nature of the narrator thinking about the stories he grew up with or the world of his childhood creates a nostalgia for simpler times. This provides the story with intricate threads which feel akin to a memoir and are woven together as a commentary on the intersection of law and surgery – which is where the narrator finds himself. Through this, several elements are explored with his experiences; such as providing orthopedic medico legal examinations for Canadian plaintiff lawyers, understanding phantom pain, and being a member of the American Foot and Ankle Society. These experiences help shape the perspective of the narrator and even include moments throughout that are at times lighthearted such as reflecting on an embarrassing media interview. Part of the journey is the narrator’s discovery of himself and how he fits into this world, which adds a poignancy to the story.

References are incorporated which feature quotes and contemplations from sources such as Caesar’s war diaries, a centurion at Teutoburger Wald, and the famous story of John Splendid. These help create an organic history that inspires the narrator who is often found quoting these inspirations, particularly Kipling. Each reference adds more depth to the narrator’s personality and helps to shape your understanding of him. Throughout the story, the narrator is analyzing himself and his past as it coincides with a present perspective such as viewing himself more like Voltaire than Joab.

The Law’s Delay is a unique fictitious account of a surgeon on a lighthearted journey that explores poignant themes of medicine, law, war, travel, and discovery.