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I found this book to be excellent. I prefer medical memoirs that have clear explanations of the medical stuff going on, and shies away from self-pity and standard disability narrative tropes. This book has very clear explanations of medical terminology, and it is immaculately researched. For instance, even with all my research I have done personally, the chapter "IVIG" explained the infusion in such a way that I finally feel I have an understanding of it. She also is able to hit on very common f
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Fascinating non-fiction account of a girl who has a mystery illness and the struggles she and her drs face trying to diagnosis. It is very technical in some parts and other parts just didn't jibe with her professed amnesia of the month. I wouldn't read it again although I am not sorry that I read it the first time hmmmmm....does that make any sense?
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As someone who experienced encephalitis in my childhood with little to no residual problems, this story of a woman who lost a month of her life due to the disease was an eye-opener. Well written and engaging this is a look not only into the world of mental health, but also how the medical systems is often lacking in ability to diagnose.

"Brian on Fire" has many positive reviews and I feel I should explain my 2 star rating. This is a first hand account on what happened to Susannah after she fell ill from a strange disease. I found the beginning fascinating, but towards the middle, it got too bogged down in medical details. I was hoping for a roller coaster story line, but instead got a passive journal entries and no real connection to the author. I wish I just read her New York post article instead. I felt so bogged down reading
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Nov 15, 2012
Juliana Philippa
marked it as to-read
Not sure how I feel about the subtitle using the word "madness." Usually refers to mental illness, and in a negative way that is not really appreciated, and in this instance it's a brain disorder different from mental illness.
Interested to read it nonetheless. ...more
Interested to read it nonetheless. ...more

Sep 19, 2012
Lolly K Dandeneau
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Dec 06, 2012
Andrea
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Dec 10, 2012
DeNice
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Dec 19, 2012
Victoria Ferguson
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May 04, 2013
Kathi
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Jun 17, 2014
Scienceforchildren
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Jan 02, 2015
Robin
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Jan 26, 2017
Danielle Connolly
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Dec 01, 2018
Cathy
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Nov 27, 2019
Kristina
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Mar 31, 2020
Debbie
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Dec 22, 2020
Karigan
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Feb 11, 2022
Sushmita
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