Scan barcode
A review by squrrl_grrrl
The Kissing Bug: A True Story of a Family, an Insect, and a Nation's Neglect of a Deadly Disease by Daisy Hernández
5.0
I find myself "enjoying?' this genre of hybrid illness memoir/investigative reporting. This offering comes with a healthy dose of latinx diaspora, of which I leaned a great deal. Much thanks to the author for bringing to these pages a deadly disease and the stories of those afflicted.
As someone who still suffers from long term Lyme I found myself nodding along at some of the stories. Particularly typhoid Mary. For while seeing one of my numerous doctors prior to diagnosis, this doctor suggested that I live near section 8 housing ie: poor filthy people, and that I probably got bit by something walking by their apartment? I spent days reading about typhoid, hiding in fear and shame and paranoia, trying to identify the disgusting culprits. Who didn't exist by the way. I didn't go back to that doctor. Just another example of how we treat those in poverty.
I really enjoyed this book, I raced through it like a great mystery while simultaneously being grateful for all the work being done to build awareness. I think their tià would be proud.
As someone who still suffers from long term Lyme I found myself nodding along at some of the stories. Particularly typhoid Mary. For while seeing one of my numerous doctors prior to diagnosis, this doctor suggested that I live near section 8 housing ie: poor filthy people, and that I probably got bit by something walking by their apartment? I spent days reading about typhoid, hiding in fear and shame and paranoia, trying to identify the disgusting culprits. Who didn't exist by the way. I didn't go back to that doctor. Just another example of how we treat those in poverty.
I really enjoyed this book, I raced through it like a great mystery while simultaneously being grateful for all the work being done to build awareness. I think their tià would be proud.