Seven Signs of Life: Stories from an Intensive Care Doctor
Aoife Abbey
Feb 2019 · Random House
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29 reviews
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288
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About this ebook
'Heartfelt, honest, illuminating and wise' Julia Samuel, author of This Too Shall Pass.
Perfect for fans of This Is Going to Hurt.
Grief. Anger. Joy. Fear. Distraction. Disgust. Hope.
All emotions we expect to encounter over our lifetime. But what if this was every day? And what if your ability to manage them was the difference between life and death?
For Aoife Abbey, a doctor in intensive care, these experiences are part of the job - from grief when you make a potentially fatal mistake to joy when the ward unexpectedly breaks into song. Seven Signs of Life is Abbey's extraordinary account of what it means to be alive and how it feels to care for a living.
An insightful, tender and inspiring memoir that explores the reality of life on the NHS front line. 'Brilliant, compelling... A hugely life-affirming book' Mail on Sunday
Perfect for fans of This Is Going to Hurt.
Grief. Anger. Joy. Fear. Distraction. Disgust. Hope.
All emotions we expect to encounter over our lifetime. But what if this was every day? And what if your ability to manage them was the difference between life and death?
For Aoife Abbey, a doctor in intensive care, these experiences are part of the job - from grief when you make a potentially fatal mistake to joy when the ward unexpectedly breaks into song. Seven Signs of Life is Abbey's extraordinary account of what it means to be alive and how it feels to care for a living.
An insightful, tender and inspiring memoir that explores the reality of life on the NHS front line. 'Brilliant, compelling... A hugely life-affirming book' Mail on Sunday
'Heartfelt, honest, illuminating and wise' Julia Samuel, author of This Too Shall Pass.
Perfect for fans of This Is Going to Hurt.
Grief. Anger. Joy. Fear. Distraction. Disgust. Hope.
All emotions we expect to encounter over our lifetime. But what if this was every day? And what if your abilit...
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Ratings and reviews
29 reviews
Koteswararao Annabattula
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July 13, 2026
Seven Signs of Life is a deeply moving memoir by Dr. Aoife Abbey that captures the emotional reality of working in intensive care. Through powerful personal stories, she explores grief, hope, fear, joy, and resilience with honesty and compassion. The book reveals the human side of medicine, celebrating both the fragility and strength of life. Thought-provoking, heartfelt, and inspiring, it is an unforgettable read for anyone interested in healthcare and the human experience.
Ais
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October 3, 2020
A compelling, emotional read. Finished it in a day!
2 people found this review helpful
Sarah Drew
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June 23, 2020
Great read. Enjoyed very much
9 people found this review helpful
About the author
Aoife Abbey grew up in Dublin, Ireland. She completed an undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, before graduating in 2011 from medical school at Warwick University. She is a member of the Royal College of Physicians, Fellow of the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine and council member at the Intensive Care Society UK. From September 2016, Aoife Abbey wrote a blog under the guise of the British Medical Association’s 'Secret Doctor’. This is her first book.
Aoife Abbey grew up in Dublin, Ireland. She completed an undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, before graduating in 2011 from medical school at Warwick University. She is a member of the Royal College of Physicians, Fellow of the Faculty of Intensive Care Med...
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