Undoubtedly related to my overthinking, I am for sure some iteration of a hypochondriac as well. Most recently, I am proud to declare myself unfazed by Ebola- a rare lack of concern for someone who assumes pulled muscles are fatal blood clots and has to remind herself at least ten times per year which side of the body presents with appendicitis pain. I like to think that it’s a valuable skill- to consider the worst case scenario- but most often just means I’m spending a whole lot of time on WebMD.
I ran into a friend’s roommate on the metro holding this book and of course had to ask what it was about. As soon as she said the words “medical mystery”, I was intrigued enough to add it to my wish list on the spot. I’ve still been on that House kick, so I was especially interested in reading a book that explored the nuances of a confusing disease.
The book’s premise is easy enough to understand: Susannah Cahalan kind of…went crazy. While that is a somewhat flippant way to say it, it’s a descriptor of the disease rather than the individual who seems- by all accounts- to be a well-adjusted and bright woman whose body pretty literally attacked her brain. The book is an account of what happened from the onset of symptoms through her recovery, including a somewhat lost month in which she remembers very little of her disease.
It’s easy to feel both her frustration and fear throughout the book. It read similar to how I imagine a diary of this time would read, a bit inconsistent in style and tone- at times the wording was a bit childish; at others, very sophisticated. True to the experience itself, it’s a little jumpy and murky, but that added to the mystery and the general feeling of helplessness in the face of a rare disease. I cannot begin to imagine what she went through not only at the time but in going back through it- it would be terrifying to learn about a wide range of things that had happened of which I had no recollection whatsoever.
This is a fast book, but it’s intense. Next week’s book should be a little less mentally taxing (but I’m super excited for it)- stay tuned!
You’ll like this if: you like books that are one part medical mystery, one part psychological thriller.
Happy reading!
carlyreads 