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anarnosti's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
lacemska's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! An eye-opening and impactful story of human strength and determination.
serenaasora's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Ableism, and Sexual assault
tophat8855's review against another edition
3.0
Very interesting memoir about a man who lost the ability to move and even be conscious of the world around him as a pre-teen and then started "waking" up a few years later and trying to communicate while his body didn't cooperate with his mind. He eventually gains the ability to use an electric wheelchair and communicate with a computer, but the journey was long. He's forthright about abuse he experienced in some of the care facilities he stayed at while unable to move.
The book never tells his ultimate diagnoses, and gives you the impression that they never really figured it out. It's a nice "found love at the end" finish, but I think it would be interesting to hear more about how his life ends.
Listened via Hoopla
The book never tells his ultimate diagnoses, and gives you the impression that they never really figured it out. It's a nice "found love at the end" finish, but I think it would be interesting to hear more about how his life ends.
Listened via Hoopla
nderiley's review against another edition
4.0
An inspiring story of perseverance. His love for life and lack of bitterness is something we should all strive for.
udflyer's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
2.0
Good story. Heartfelt and interesting. But not well-written. Too many details that really didn't matter to readers. They mattered to the author, but I just couldn't connect because they are meaningless to me.. like a quarter of the book is about his wife. I would have liked to hear more about his journey. Did he tell someone about what happened to him? Did they ever figure out what happened to him?
dalefu's review against another edition
4.0
I first heard about Martin and his experience when I watched his TED Talk a few years ago. I added his book to my To-Read list and I'm glad I did. While his experience was unfathomably bleak at times, it was ultimately extremely inspiring. A Coming-Of-Age story of sorts, Martin wakes up in a body he can't control after years in a coma, with no memory of who he was before this. Those around him don't realize he's awakened inside until, years later, one especially empathetic and kind nurse takes a chance on him. This chance leads to a second awakening, as Martin now must learn how to interact with a world he was convinced would never see him. While overcoming incredible obstacles, and with an unshakable bravery, he makes the most of his situation, and builds a great life for himself, a life many would be envious of.
dalefu's review
4.0
I first heard about Martin and his experience when I watched his TED Talk a few years ago. I added his book to my To-Read list and I'm glad I did. While his experience was unfathomably bleak at times, it was ultimately extremely inspiring. A Coming-Of-Age story of sorts, Martin wakes up in a body he can't control after years in a coma, with no memory of who he was before this. Those around him don't realize he's awakened inside until, years later, one especially empathetic and kind nurse takes a chance on him. This chance leads to a second awakening, as Martin now must learn how to interact with a world he was convinced would never see him. While overcoming incredible obstacles, and with an unshakable bravery, he makes the most of his situation, and builds a great life for himself, a life many would be envious of.