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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
Fascinating. I’ve been trying to figure out how to describe this book, and this is the word that keeps popping into my head. This is not a “fun” read - but I very much enjoyed it.
What should have been a super compelling story became mostly tiresome and boring in this memoirist's hands. I thought it was because I listened to it as an audiobook, but plenty of other reviewers had the same reaction as I did. The disease itself and the facts of what happened to her are indeed fascinating, but by the end, the narrative barely held my attention, and I was annoyed with the author.
Actually quite an incredible journey through a short period of Susannah's life. I'm amazed she was able to pull this all together.
A fascinating read, especially in the beginning of the book because you want to know what is going on with her. This was so interesting to see just how much of how we act, think, and feel comes from our brain activity.
It was a bit slow towards the end, but it was interesting to see how she pieced her life back together after such a life-altering ordeal.
It was a bit slow towards the end, but it was interesting to see how she pieced her life back together after such a life-altering ordeal.
informative
medium-paced
In tone of Lisa Genova's novels but non-fiction instead of fiction, Susannah Cahalan bring her experience of a mysterious illness into words. With help from family members and friends, Cahalan writes about how her paranoia evolves to seizures to schizophrenic and cognitive deficits. In addition, she describes the emotional impact her mysterious illness have an impact on her loved ones-such as how her boyfriend becomes carefree to overprotective at times and the anxiety it takes to find an answer.
Overall, I gave the book a five star. The reason is that this is a book you can not put down. Even someone who have a busy schedule, they will be racing through the short chapters. Cahalan dives into the deep end into showing what her mind was like with the disease and being a 'flight-risks.' This shows when she shows what her paranoia illusions are like and it feels real. Also her journalism skills stands out in this book. For example, when she writes about finding her diagnosis, she incorporates research from other doctors and first-hand sources, such as her family. However, there is only one criticism. Although the research aspect is well-informed, it can get wordy at times, especially if one's background is not in the health-fields.
"Brain on Fire" is an essential for anyone who works with people, from social workers to doctors to anyone who makes a living helping people. Although research about different diseases from caners to mental illness remains invaluable, books about certain diseases written from people who have that certain disease, such as this book, gives the personal and emotional side of diseases. However, each person is different and will always be. Still, each memoir that is written by the person's experience, bring more love, support and awareness to an illness. Just one part of an elephant that is discover(a metaphor used in the book).
Whenever you get a chance, go ahead and get a couple of Brain on Fire. I can not praised this book enough. Hopefully in the near future, I will have an online book club, focusing on health issues. This book will be in it.
Overall, I gave the book a five star. The reason is that this is a book you can not put down. Even someone who have a busy schedule, they will be racing through the short chapters. Cahalan dives into the deep end into showing what her mind was like with the disease and being a 'flight-risks.' This shows when she shows what her paranoia illusions are like and it feels real. Also her journalism skills stands out in this book. For example, when she writes about finding her diagnosis, she incorporates research from other doctors and first-hand sources, such as her family. However, there is only one criticism. Although the research aspect is well-informed, it can get wordy at times, especially if one's background is not in the health-fields.
"Brain on Fire" is an essential for anyone who works with people, from social workers to doctors to anyone who makes a living helping people. Although research about different diseases from caners to mental illness remains invaluable, books about certain diseases written from people who have that certain disease, such as this book, gives the personal and emotional side of diseases. However, each person is different and will always be. Still, each memoir that is written by the person's experience, bring more love, support and awareness to an illness. Just one part of an elephant that is discover(a metaphor used in the book).
Whenever you get a chance, go ahead and get a couple of Brain on Fire. I can not praised this book enough. Hopefully in the near future, I will have an online book club, focusing on health issues. This book will be in it.
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Very enjoyable read for such a frightening situation. Not what I necessarily expected, subject-wise, but very good all the same. Readable, personal, and medical - meets all my criteria for a "fun" non-fiction read.