A review by sarah_tellesbo
The Hypochondriac's Guide to Life. and Death. by Gene Weingarten

5.0

Weird going from a quiet book about Quakerism to this crazy masterpiece full of unseemly bodily functions, completely unwarranted panic, and dark hilarity. As a certified, insurance-card-carrying member of the hypochondriac club, Weingarten’s irreverent approach to life and death (and every failure, disease, malfunction in between) made me laugh so hard my stomach began to hurt and I couldn’t breathe. Which, in turn, made me worry that said stomach ache and shortness of breath could be my brain/skin/lung cancer or cirrhosis or axillary hyperhidrosis acting up. I immediately contacted my doctor, as any responsible human being would, but apparently severe laugh-induced discomfort is not “emergency” enough to warrant a call to her cell phone at 11:30pm. Outrageous.

Regardless, this book is a gem. It’s full of awesomely exaggerated and misleading reflections on all things physical health— and sickness. A lighthearted twist on an often difficult and irritating phenomenon generally referred to as “completely-neurotic-costly-ridiculous-worry.” I believe that’s in the DSM.