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Magnificent Obsession

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This book about obsession actually became an obsession for scores of readers. Lloyd Douglas later wrote about the deluge of mail he received from readers who literally wanted to live out the principles of the novel in their own lives. The book itself, set in the midwest in the prewar years, is the absorbing story of the transformation of a young man. A spoiled, wealthy college youth is inspired, after a brush with death, to follow in the footsteps of a renowned surgeon who was killed in a simultaneous, related accident. This endeavor leads him, reluctantly, to an unexpected life of full-immersion philanthropy. Ultimately the burdens he consents to bear are instrumental in leading him to his highest goals. No review can do justice to Douglas effortless skill in bringing spirituality face to face with practical everyday affairs. Deservedly a classic.

Having read and loved THE ROBE, another of Lloyd C. Douglas' books, I began reading THE MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION with high expectations. The book greatly exceeded my expectations. It presents many important messages about Christianity without sacrificing entertainment.

THE MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION is a story of the conversion and faith journey of a troubled young man. In order to be at peace with himself about the negative effects his poor decisions and actions have on a beloved surgeon, Robert Merrick begins a series of philanthropic deeds. He follows in the path of Jesus Christ, the perfect model of philanthropy, and in the paths of others before him, including the surgeon whose death may have been prevented if it were not for the reckless actions of Merrick. He becomes consumed with the task of helping others--sacrificing his time, effort, and money in order to do so. Merrick asks that stories of his good deeds are not spread in order that he may be rewarded in a more meaningful way than glory. Christ teaches people to be humble and not seek glory on earth but in heaven. The messages of Christ appear frequently throughout the book.

As a result of Merrick's philanthropic deeds and newly developed spiritual life, he gains a more "powerful personality," the goal of all his efforts. His life is turned around and he greatly affects the lives of many others. His actions are emulated by those around him. One many can truly help to change the world.

This book shows that humanity on the whole is good if humanity is able to overcome worldly temptations. THE MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION helped me on my faith journey and I believe that it would have the same effect on other readers. I recommend this book to all Christians as it provides the messages of Christ in a clear and modern way.

Magnificent Obsession encourages one to be a better person for purely selfish reasons. The key is to do for others anonymously for the good it will derive you. This book picks up the story where Dr. Hudson's Secret Journal leaves off. A young man, Bobby, is on a course of mediocrity and indifference. He becomes inspired by Dr. Hudson, a respected surgeon who has an idiosyncratic view of life, through a freak accident. When he lives and Dr. Hudson dies, Bobby becomes obsessed with redeeming himself in the eyes of the community and more importantly redeeming himself in his own eyes. To do so, he must find out Dr. Hudson's secret and implement it. This is an excellent book with a morality lesson that is necessary for today' society. Unfortunately, since it was written many years ago, it's references and dialogue is somewhat stilted and dated. Fortunately, the message of dealing with others in a compassionate way while allowing them to keep their dignity will never be stilted or dated.

After reading The Robe, I knew I wanted to read other books by Lloyd C. Douglas; Magnificent Obsession did not disappoint me. Although at first I was a little bothered by Douglas' referring to God as the "higher personality" and to Jesus as "the Galilean", I soon got over these terms and saw that the book followed Christ's teachings.

The story is about Bobby Merrick, who indirectly causes the death of a beloved surgeon, Dr. Hudson. Eager to make up for his death, Bobby follows in his footsteps and becomes a brain surgeon. When he reads Hudson's personal journal, which is in a code that he is miraculously able to break, he learns about Hudson's belief in helping others anonymously. Bobby soon discovers helping others is the key to becoming successful, and becomes obsessed with giving himself to others. This lifestyle causes him to become an outstanding surgeon and Christian.

Although Douglas does not use figurative language in his novel, it is extremely well-written. The reader witnesses the magnificent transformation of Bobby Merrick from a rich, egotistical young man into a selfless individual. There are several subplots in the novel, such as a romance, the downfall of Hudson's daughter, and friendships between the characters.

This book will make you want to go out and help others, and it will not bore you. The story of Bobby Merrick has made an impact on my life, and I'm sure it will affect yours. Although it isn't quite as good as "The Robe," it is worth reading.

Douglas's approach to Christ's injuction to find meaning in life through service to others is written in a readable and engaging story. The novel (about a wealthy young playboy who reorients his life to fill the shoes of a famous surgeon who died as in indirect consequence of his actions) is rewarding on three levels: first, as a story about relationships between people that find higher meaning and stronger attachment through patience and persistence; second, as a parable about redemption, and; third, as a moral play about the power that can be realized through selfless and anonymous sacrifice. Though written in the 1920s, this is a book for our time. Similar to Tolstoy's "Resurrection," "Magnificent Obession" is filled with hope and inspirational asides that give simple fiction a profound spiritual dimension. In reading the book, however, one wishes that Douglas would have -- as Tolstoy did -- broken free of the cautious limitations he placed on his story and penned what the reader can clearly see that he wanted to pen, without worrying about how it would be accepted. The book makes a lasting impression and leaves the reader with a greater awareness of the needs of others

This book is splendid. It is not a great composition in the literary sense. One doesn't read it with the thrill of experiencing dazzling artistry of words. Shakespeare it is not.

However, this is one of the best books I have ever read; and I have read it several times. It is the purest story of triumph of the human spirit. The most profound triumph is over self. This book explores the topic with dazzling brilliance.

Timeless, moving, and inspirational, this book is one you are sure to never, ever forget. It will stay with me until I die, and I can only hope to be half the man the protagonist is. I would loved to have met the author - he must have been extraordinary. I can think of no novel more worthy of my reading time.

I decided to read MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION because of the enjoyment I found in reading Lloyd C. Douglas's other acclaimed novel, THE ROBE. Each of these novels is very interesting and inspirational. I find Douglas's writing style reads easily; it is fairly descriptive and never dull. He uses several similes in this novel to help the reader better grasp his descriptions, and his use of dialogue is effective in making his characters come alive.
MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION tells the story of Robert Merrick, a rich, young man who seeks to make better use of his life after his actions indirectly result in the death of a renowned brain surgeon. Merrick feels obligated to carry on the good deeds of the man for whom his life was spared. He becomes a doctor and, inspired by Dr. Hudson, sets off on a journey to find himself through performing philanthropic deeds and giving much of his time and money to his new cause. He emulates the actions of Jesus Christ, whose life revolved around doing good deeds for other people. Douglas, a former minister, makes several allusions to Jesus Christ and God in this novel.
Just like Dr. Hudson, the philanthropist who preceded Merrick and the man upon whom his actions are based, Merrick asks that his deeds are kept secret. Merrick's newfound humility is made evident; he follows Jesus' teachings to seek glory in heaven rather than on earth.
This novel presents an inspirational story that we, as Christians, can relate to today. Merrick's actions make a great modern-day parable about recognizing the world's needs aside from our own. I recommend this book to anyone in search of a spiritual read. It has helped me to recognize the needs of others and has deepened my faith by providing Christ's messages to me.

Some books come and go; some linger a while then fade from memory; some stay on the shelves just for decoration. But "Magnificent Obsession" is a book you keep to read over and over and over again.

Though it's over seventy years old, its story applies just as well today as when it was first written, and Douglas' tight writing style is just right for today's reader. He can be descriptive when he needs to be, but for the most past he keeps things mercifully brief as compared to some of his more florid and verbose contemporaries. An amazing amount of action takes place in an equally amazingly small number of pages.

It's true; the story does show its age at some points. But that only adds to the charm. The characters are finely drawn and believable; the spiritual message is powerful but subtle--Douglas doesn't try to club you about the head with the scriptures--and the O. Henry-esque ending is wonderful, if telegraphed. It's an overused cliche', but this is one book that really does belong on every shelf, and one which should be considered required reading at every school.

"Magnificent Obsession" is the inspirational story of an aristocratic and reckless playboy named Bobby Merrick. He starts out badly in the beginning of the story -- during one of his numerous peccadillos, a boating accident, he requires the use of a breathing machine which happens to be the only one available in the region. Coincidentally, a local physician, the beloved Doctor Hudson, has a heart attack at about the same time and he also requires the breathing machine which is already in use on the lugubrious Merrick. It tragically fails to get to Doctor Hudson in time to save his life.

Merrick finally hears all about what he has given rise to and subsequently tries to make amends but the local folks, all of whom loved Doctor Hudson, aren't buying his brand of remorse. So, Merrick commits to change his life and, as a consequence, becomes incongruously entwined with those he has hurt most.

"Doctor Hudson's Secret Journal" was written in 1939 and is the inspirational story of Doctor Hudson who knew a life secret, actually an epiphany, based upon a quotation from "The Holy Bible," and found specifically in the Book of Matthew, ("Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.....That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.")

Doctor Hudson kept his life secrets in code, a document which was found among his belongings subsequent to his untimely death "Magnificent Obsession."

"Doctor Hudson's Secret Journal" is NOT a sequel to "Magnificent Obsession," the latter being written ten years earlier in 1929. It's sort of the other way about, Douglas himself referring to "Doctor Hudson's Secret Journal" as an "Overture" to "Magificent Obsession".

However, one could reasonably assert that the two works were written "out of sequence" and if you read one, you'll really benefit by reading the other, even though each of these novels stands on its own. It really does not matter which you choose to read first.

Lloyd C. Douglas, who lived from August 27, 1877 to February 13, 1951, was originally ordained as a Lutheran minister but later changed denominations to become a minister in the Congregational Church. His greatest novel, "The Robe," was written in 1942 and focuses on the fictional story of the Roman Centurion who killed Jesus Christ at the crucifixion and ultimately found himself in possession of Christ's robe. This work was made into a fine film and the book itself sold over two million copies.

"Magnificent Obsession" often gets passed over by many who have erroneously heard that it's "religious reading," likely due to the actuality that the author was a minister. To the contrary, while there exists a clear moralistic undertone to the story, this book is a great example of fine American literature of the First Water, albeit it's a bit melodramatic in places. Highly recommended.

The book was a role model in a sea of despair. I have tried to live its principles for more than 30 years. A wonderful graduation gift. It weathers well on a second go through. Marvelous and thought provoking. I loved it! Linda Schiller-Hanna