Life, Interrupted: The True Story of a Life Driven by Tourette's

by James McConnel

Growing up as 'a percussive child', James McConnel describes life in a family overshadowed by the tragic death of his sister. He finds some solace in his talent for piano playing but slowly comes to realise that the incontrollable sniffs, coughs, and faces might not just be a funny, little habit.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography, Memoir, Mental Health, Disability

Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Tweedledum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having enjoyed immensely seeing James McConnell perform several times last year in the cabaret duo Kit and McConnell I determined to procure a copy of his autobiography.

What a journey he has been on! With rampant undiagnosed Tourrettes playing havoc with relationships, not to mention surviving a horrific road accident that left him unable to play the piano for months as nerves or tendons regrew, James turned to alcohol to deaden the compulsive behaviours, only to eventually having to face up to the fact of having become an alchoholic. With characteristic determination and sheer guts he faced up to this new challenge and with the help of AA and a diagnosis took back control of his life.

This searingly honest book deserves a much wider audience and makes for an inspiring read. James learnt to make friends with his condition turning it to comic use at times but also recognising that the way Tourette's cascades his thoughts can sometimes be a powerful creative tool.

James experience has also led him to the controversial view that Mozart may also have had a form of Tourette's. Though this is not explored in this book McConnell has written a documentary on the subject.

I think that one insider account of a disability such as Tourette's is worth a hundred textbooks on the subject.

Reading Life, Interrupted is a humbling experience.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea Tourette's was like what James McConnel experienced. Many of the symptoms he experienced were what I think of as symptoms of OCD. I loved reading this...but I can't imagine surviving as he did--I would have given up!

[Alice McQueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really felt like I knew James after reading this. Absolutely brilliant insight.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldnt put it down! James' story opened my eyes to an illness that I thought I understood, but is actually more complex than the ticks and shouts than I had previously presumed it was. A very easy, funny read that teaches as much as it entertains. A great read.

[Shay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating and really well written. I followed James from his development of Tourettes all the way through to the beginning of his acceptance of it.

[Michelle Ainsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book. Not to sound cliche but I could not put it down. It was so well written- I loved the humor that was woven in. There is a child in my life that has Tourette's and this really helped me understand how he may experience life.

[Steff S (The Bookish Owl) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It didn't actually take 11 months to read. I would read a few pages here and there.

on the whole an interesting account of someone with Tourettes but I can't say that James is that likable as a person/narrator.

[claudia v · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, do recommend reading it. Sad he didn't get diagnosed earlier in life.

[Susan Cashin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this from start to finish. So many of his ticks are compulsions that I would have associated with OCD rather than Tourette’s so I learned a lot.

[Charlotte Pinchbeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book needs to be more popular. I like memoirs now aha

[Helen Ishmurzin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful, heartfelt memoir with a gripping narrative structure.

[Wayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Provides an insight into the mind of someone with the condition. Tiring to read due to the onslaught of the condition, but then that's the point I guess.

[Hazel McHaffie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not something I'm proud of but I confess I am easily irritated by repetitive tics and noises. So it was salutary to read James McConnel's book on what it's like to live with Tourette's Syndrome. He's now an award winning composer but getting there has been a colossal struggle. Amazing to realise that from the age of six he showed classic symptoms but he wasn't diagnosed until he was thirty-two. His jerking, grunting, coughing, counting, tapping, sniffing, repeating, were dismissed as funny little habits. Only two things were stronger than 'the Beast' - music and alcohol. But happily since his diagnosis he has learned to accept himself after years of feeling a misfit and a 'nearly' person.
Readable but sobering.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was educational: my only knowledge of Tourette's to date was the newspaper coverage of Big Brother winner Pete a few years ago (no, I didn't watch the programme...) or its employment as a tacky punchline in jokey descriptions of people who swear a lot. Well, it sounds like HELL.

And it was about a musician, usually a sure-fire winner for me. But it was a memoir, and McConnel's a composer, not a writer, and it just didn't grab me the way I hoped it would. Also made me very sad to discover that, despite the dust jacket stating his life with wife and family, their marriage broke down around the time of publication. Ah, the perils of Google...

[Katy W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written and interesting - I had no idea what tourettes was really like. Glad I picked it up, not the best book I ever ready but much better than I was expecting to find in a "take one, leave one" resort library on vacation!

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting memoir of a man with Terretts. Would have been great if they explained how he dealt with his life as a husband/father as well.

[Warren Gregg · Rating 1 out of 5]

Brittle, hard read because there was a lack of flow

[Amy Clayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read. Very informative and interesting.

[Wendy tubb]

I am surprised that neither his parents, teachers etc didn't push to get james seen more oten with doc'swhile growing up.

[Joy Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

really interesting book. loved the end, identified so much with that.

[Estelle]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/13836124