rodica_b's review
5.0
I got this little gem through prime reading. I knew nothing about the author before downloading it and only briefly glanced at the synopsis. I thought I could it give it a try, since it’s short and it’s free. I am glad I did. It was such a beautiful, satisfying, albeit very short, read!
The author is telling the story of her illness and how it transformed her life and marriage. What makes it so compelling is her self-awareness and her extremely pleasant and intelligent manner of writing. No self pitying as far as I could tell, just compassion and kindness toward herself and the people surrounding her. It takes time to reach such a point, to learn to accept your own mortality and enjoy every little ray of sun you are given. A lot of people succumb to anger and negativity when they get seriously ill.
The author is telling the story of her illness and how it transformed her life and marriage. What makes it so compelling is her self-awareness and her extremely pleasant and intelligent manner of writing. No self pitying as far as I could tell, just compassion and kindness toward herself and the people surrounding her. It takes time to reach such a point, to learn to accept your own mortality and enjoy every little ray of sun you are given. A lot of people succumb to anger and negativity when they get seriously ill.
chamilton3396's review
2.0
An alright story with deeply unlikable characters. This wasn't a marriage I could make sense of, nor was the delay in seeking speciality care.
kjkbooks's review
4.5
Thoughts:
Definitely a difficult read for a fellow spoonie with periods of fatigue. But in a society still judging and making jokes about people with ME/CFS I think this is a critical read to help others not in the community to understand the brutal reality people with the condition face.
Favourite Quote:
"Fatigue, I learned, is not the absence of energy, just as sadness is not the absence of happiness. Fatigue is a force unto itself; it sucks you dry like a dentist’s tool and punches you in the solar plexus. You lack reserves. You feel raw, unpeeled. Small barbs wound deeply; the self-pity adds up. The suffering of both loved ones and complete strangers strikes so much more deeply than before. But crying gives you a headache, so you try to avoid it. Sometimes you can’t try hard enough and your voice cracks and you go to a dark, speechless place. "
Definitely a difficult read for a fellow spoonie with periods of fatigue. But in a society still judging and making jokes about people with ME/CFS I think this is a critical read to help others not in the community to understand the brutal reality people with the condition face.
Favourite Quote:
"Fatigue, I learned, is not the absence of energy, just as sadness is not the absence of happiness. Fatigue is a force unto itself; it sucks you dry like a dentist’s tool and punches you in the solar plexus. You lack reserves. You feel raw, unpeeled. Small barbs wound deeply; the self-pity adds up. The suffering of both loved ones and complete strangers strikes so much more deeply than before. But crying gives you a headache, so you try to avoid it. Sometimes you can’t try hard enough and your voice cracks and you go to a dark, speechless place. "
alsmilesalot's review
Stumbled upon this little (very short) gem—really a love story as much as (or more than) an autobiographical essay about chronic fatigue (though I did learn about that as well). Enjoyed he writing and just looked up some other essays of hers I’m now looking forward to reading.
ejsimpson's review
2.0
A surface level story about a husband and wife who must overcome distance in their marriage so as to not be alone while facing different health dilemmas.
While not as "woe is me" and despairing at one may think, there's not much going on emotionally other than some very mild frustration and relief at finding the beauty in being bored. However, it's not particularly inspiring, either.
A quick, unfulfilling read before bed.
While not as "woe is me" and despairing at one may think, there's not much going on emotionally other than some very mild frustration and relief at finding the beauty in being bored. However, it's not particularly inspiring, either.
A quick, unfulfilling read before bed.
abooli's review
4.0
Fatigue by Jennifer Acker is a nice short read that I enjoyed a lo. I loved Acker’s beautiful prose, and how she showed me a different perspective of love, health, and support that I wasn’t exposed to yet as a college student. For that I am very grateful for giving this book a try!