Montague's Diagnosis Cure scooped by Granta at auction

Consultant neurologist Dr Jules Montague explores “something rotten at the heart of western medicine” in her new book, The Diagnosis Cure, won by Granta at auction.

Anne Meadows, senior commissioning editor at Granta, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights at auction from agent Will Francis at Janklow & Nesbit earlier this month.

In The Diagnosis Cure, Montague will argue that “there’s something rotten at the heart of western medicine”. Drawing on her experience of practicing in Mozambique and India, as well as treating the Bangladeshi community in Tower Hamlets, she will show that “diagnoses vary from culture to culture”.

“While clinicians think of the process as scientifically objective, in fact it is deeply tainted by the forces of commerce, imperialism, and sexual discrimination,” the synopsis reads.

“I couldn’t be more delighted to be welcoming Jules to the Granta list,” Meadows said. “In an era of high-profile failures of diagnosis when we are becoming ever more aware of the devastating consequences of bias in medicine, her intelligence, the breadth and scope of her practice, and her passion for reform are exactly what is needed.”

Montague said: “Becoming a Granta author is truly a dream come true. Anne’s vision for The Diagnosis Cure aligns perfectly with mine and this is the book I’ve wanted to write for years. Next week I travel to Mozambique to begin that literary journey.”

Montague is a consultant neurologist. Her first book, Lost and Found, was published by Sceptre in 2018. She writes about medicine and neuroscience for the Guardian, Granta, the BBC , the Lancet, New Scientist and Mosaic.