Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness in Around the World in 80 Books

Aug 31, 2016 Ryan rated it really liked it

Shelves: borrowed, audiobooks, 2016

I'm tempted to say that I wouldn't have the stones to share my most frightening and vulnerable experiences the way that Calahan does with this book...but then I remember the final chapters of it, and how just that - sharing the experiences - had such a wide-reaching affect.

Good on her for weaving such an indelible tapestry of what she went through. ...more

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May 29, 2018 Pam rated it really liked it

Shelves: memoir-bio, 2018-books-read

AUTHOR Cahalan, Susannah
TITLE Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness
DATE READ 05/29/2018
RATING 4.5/B+
GENRE/ PUB DATE/PUBLISHER / # OF Non-Fiction/Memoir / 2012/ Simon & Schuster /252 pgs
FIRST LINES: Maybe it all began with a bug bite, from a bedbug that didn't exist.

CHARACTERS Susanah Calahan/journalist
TIME/PLACE NY
COMMENTS Chosen for the Rocket-Republic book club. A true account of a young woman in her 20's, Susanah Calahan, struggling with various psychotic symptoms appearing to be some type ...more

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Sep 22, 2017 Jillian rated it really liked it

A compelling and well-researched memoir about one young woman's experiences with the precarious balance between the body and the mind. Honest, thoughtful, and informative, this was sometimes more medical than memoir, occasionally complex in its scientific and medical language. This author's research and publication about her own illness has helped educate the medical community and helped others with her rare condition. A kind of blend between Girl Interrupted and When Breath Becomes Air. Enjoyed ...more

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Jul 13, 2014 Gabrielle rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Really good on many levels: Interesting and pertinent subject, beautifully written story, and the introduction of a real life Dr. House.

Thanks to Susannah Cahalan for sharing!

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Mar 22, 2019 Sarah rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: owned, nonfiction, recommend-to-friends, women-are-rockstars

I don’t really know how to process what I just read. This book is powerful, horrifying, hopeful, scary, heartbreaking, heartwarming, compelling, and fascinating. Highly recommended.

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