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chloepesch's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
kcon3126's review against another edition
2.0
This book is interesting, but the cover and description are misleading. I kept waiting for her to find her solution in nature, but that only lasted a chapter or two. The rest was quite repetitive, though it was good to learn about an illness I had never heard of before.
amr316's review against another edition
5.0
Rounded up from 4.5 stars. This is a brilliantly-written, fascinating, robust memoir from a science writer with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It traces the progression of her illness and her personal/professional life in tandem, as she honestly and vulnerably explores the “woo-woo” side of an illness with no clear cause or cure.
There were moments when I felt frustrated by the author’s privilege in surviving off rental home income, a smattering of freelance work, and money borrowed/gifted by friends and family. But I think I was probably just my projecting my own financial struggles and anxieties into her. At times, this memoir dragged a little bit, but I think this happens with any non-fiction. I found the author to be pretty self reflective and clearheaded — she avoids the victimy navel-gazing that sometimes accompanies other memoirs. This one is well done.
There were moments when I felt frustrated by the author’s privilege in surviving off rental home income, a smattering of freelance work, and money borrowed/gifted by friends and family. But I think I was probably just my projecting my own financial struggles and anxieties into her. At times, this memoir dragged a little bit, but I think this happens with any non-fiction. I found the author to be pretty self reflective and clearheaded — she avoids the victimy navel-gazing that sometimes accompanies other memoirs. This one is well done.
emilympurvis's review
4.0
This is a fascinating and well-written memoir. Julie Rehmeyer is a professional math and science writer who applies her rigorous analytical skills to something medical science doesn't know much about: her own chronic illness. She writes about what it's like for doctors to be puzzled by her "mysterious" (that is, grossly under-researched and highly stigmatized) disease, and chronicles her quest to explore controversial treatments advocated for by a subset of the patient community by conducting a double-blind experiment on herself. Her openness to scientifically explore theories that have been largely ignored by the scientific community is courageous and commendable. This book is fantastically well-written and deftly balances deep dives into existing medical research with thoughtful reflections on Julie's life, relationships, and upbringing. I especially loved reading about how she's able to carve a meaningful life for herself despite a devastating and unpredictable illness.
helena_merkwell's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing story of a scientist searching for a cure to her own paralyzing and under-researched illness
lgindc's review against another edition
This memoir goes beyond the average illness narrative. Moving and eye opening.
daniellesalwaysreading's review against another edition
4.0
Rehmeyer has a strong background in math and science, was a math professor and a science writer before she got sick. She was very ill for many years and no doctors could or would help her. She had to find answers herself. This is that story. It is sad and frightening, but also hopeful. The hope mostly comes from the idea that medical research community might be starting to come out from under the undue influence of both charismatic individuals and unethical researchers and drug and insurance companies that keep science from working the way it can. I found my way to this book from Doing Harm by Maya Dusenbery.
peterpokeypanda's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I read this book all in one day. I really, really liked Julie herself; I think I would really like to meet her. I appreciate a book with infertility as a theme that does not end with a pregnancy announcement
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Grief
Moderate: Infertility, Medical content, Abandonment, Sexual content, and Child abuse
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis