Too Much

In this debut memoir, a retired United States Army Captain recounts the professional and personal hardships she endured as a military medical resident… Neighbors is unquestionably a skilled writer; she delivers wonderfully concise passages that breezily take readers through years of residency while succinctly clarifying various medical conditions and hospital roles (with a glossary as a bonus addendum). An uncompromising probe into the medical industry fused with an honest account of mental illness.

Challenging but rewarding, Cindy Lee Neighbors’s TOO MUCH is an incisive memoir of the soul-crushing dysfunction of both medical and military culture in the US. Neighbors’s story will be enlightening if not outright shocking… It’s a privileged peek at the dysfunction of the Army (and of hospital staff) in ways that are unsurprising but still uncomfortable for those who cleave to those American cultural myths… TOO MUCH strikes a successful balance: the reader sees this progression, and appreciates Neighbors’ flaws and mistakes, but still cares about her… Despite its apparent simplicity, TOO MUCH manages to subtly and powerfully negotiate the challenges of memoir. Its critiques of institutional cultures—especially medical and military cultures—are built on a solid foundation of empathy for its flawed but honest narrator.

TOO MUCH is a raw and unflinching look at one woman’s journey through the challenges of medical training, mental health struggles, and finding her own voice. It’s a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration, understanding, and a reminder that they’re not alone in their struggles.

I really liked this memoir, and I read A LOT of memoirs as it is my favorite genre. This book emotionally grabbed me right from the start. As someone who spent some of my childhood years in Hawaii on the Naval Base there, I was immediately drawn to the story and I never looked back. I basically read the book in one sitting because I needed to know what happened and I was interested in the author’s life I am glad that the author published the book despite her reservations about doing so and I hope that she is doing well in her life now.

brave. bold. beautiful.

I don’t typically read indie memoir… I was selected as an ARC reader for this author’s children’s book debut, but I grabbed a copy of her memoir because I was curious and skimmed the reviews. I really think the book is genre-breaking in terms of blending and challenging conventional memoir. Kudos to her. Check out her debut children’s book if you have kids! Dr. Neighbors is a powerhouse!!! I hope she goes on to do great things for the bookish community!