A review by emilympurvis
Through the Shadowlands: A Science Writer's Odyssey into an Illness Science Doesn't Understand by Julie Rehmeyer

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.