The Six -Liter Club by Harry Krause, M.D. - Reviewed

The Six-Liter Club introduces the character of Camille Weller and all of the challenges she faces as an African American woman employed in a field staffed primarily by white men – that of a surgeon. She becomes infamous immediately when she saves the life of a young man who literally loses all of his blood in the course of treatment. But rather than earning Camille the acceptance she seeks, it seems her heroism in surgery only earns disdain from the other surgeons. That only makes her try harder to be accepted.

Camille’s father was a medical missionary in Africa, so as the story develops she begins to have mysterious and disturbing memories that hinder her from being comfortable in her new field. She eventually seeks professional help from a woman who is not only a colleague but a patient of hers as well. While her co-worker means well, she sort of fuels Camille’s “I’ve-got-something-to-prove” attitude and in the end truth sort of slaps them both in the face.

The Six-Liter Club’s only overtly Christian character is the mother of one of Camille’s patients. At the point we meet Camille, faith is not even on her radar. She has to drink to relax or fit in or whatever her excuse is, and she is constantly pressured by her boyfriend to have sex. While she doesn’t give in, she certainly has no qualms about pre-marital sex either. So if you come to this book seeking a strong spiritual message, you won’t find it. The author puts some spiritual perspective in Camille’s life at the end of the story, but after all of the drama I’d been through with her at that point, it felt like an emotional reaction rather than a genuine decision for faith in Christ. Perhaps if I met her again in another story I’ll be convinced otherwise.

There is a LOT of drama in the story – much of it fueled by Camille’s combative attitude toward her life. I actually felt sorry for the woman most of the book, because she was so miserably unhappy. Overall, the story was okay, but not a favorite.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Harry Kraus has brought surgical skill to medical missions on four continents. Most recently, he returned to Somalia for a short stay. His family (wife, Kris, and three sons) is contemplating a return to Kenya for three years. He could stay in Virginia, building his surgical practice, storing wealth and acquiring house after house, car after car - but that isn't where Harry's heart lies.


Harry Kraus watched the Twin Towers fall on 9/11. He was at Ground Zero providing medical services to those who managed to escape the falling buildings. He saw firsthand the result of human relationships that lack love for fellow man. He determined to spend his life pouring love into human hearts. In Africa, he is often asked by Muslim patients why he would come halfway around the world to take care of them for no pay. Harry smiles. He tells them about the unconditional love He received from a Savior.