More than Skin Deep tells the story of a plastic surgeon who began life in idyllic pre-1939 Romania and then endured the nightmares of Hitler’s war, ethnic cleansing and Stalinist oppression. After many gruelling setbacks he went to Townsville, North Queensland, where he pioneered plastic surgery in that region.

As a medical student and plastic surgeon in post-war communist Romania, Costel Vasilescu experienced firsthand the corruption and cruel absurdity of life surrounded by KGB-like informers. Invited to work in Edinburgh with the distinguished plastic surgeon Mr A. B. Wallace, he defeated the wiles of the Romanian secret police to gain permanent residence in the UK. But the change in status from visitor to resident meant that Dr Vasilescu, already an accomplished plastic surgeon, had to repeat his medical training – from basic registration to specialist – while working long hours to support himself. A happy marriage gave Costel the motivation to persevere, and led him to Townsville.

Experienced in the medical systems of Eastern Europe, Britain and Australia, Dr Vasilescu speaks with authority on many issues, such as the long hours worked by young doctors. A lifetime spent under radically different political systems, supplemented by wide reading, also directed him to challenge popular trends. This enjoyable and stimulating account of Romania, dictatorship, plastic surgery, family, friends and lovers is written with charm, dry wit, some anger and much wisdom.

HOME   ABOUT THE AUTHOR   EXTRACTS   REVIEWS & ARTICLES   PLACE AN ORDER   CONTACT US

SITE BY CIVICNET