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Product Description
Product Description
Filled with mischievously wry wit, this semiautobiographical narrative is an inspiring and hugely enjoyable day-by-day account of a year in the life of a myalgic encephalomyelitis, or chronic fatigue syndrome, sufferer. Privy to the notable events, everyday routine, and innermost thoughts of Verity Red, the skepticism and lack of understanding surrounding this recently recognized condition is addressed, as well as the common symptoms boredom, the feeling of low self-worth, exhaustion, and the craving for comfort foods.
About the Author
Maria Mann is a former singer and songwriter. She was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome 14 years ago.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Never having come close to M E before this book was a revelation. I could feel the frustration as the author dissected her days into hours... minutes... trapped inside a house from which it was simply too exhausting to emerge.
Reading it from cover to cover in one sitting I was struck by how very much the author was on the outside looking in on all the usual day to day activities which she was unable to take part in. Anyone lucky enough to escape M E should stop themselves before they complain about the daily round of mundane tasks to be grateful that a trip to the dry cleaners doesn't take them a full day to recover from. They should also read this book to give them a real understanding of what it means day to day. It is rare to read a book that details the minutiae of living with an illness - most books are about the crises and dramas but this one gives you a real feeling of the unrelenting nature of coping with M E.
I should perhaps explain I have a personal interest in this book - the author is my sister-in-law who I have yet to meet - she is just not well enough to come along to family gatherings etc. I am now married to the "brother from Devon" described in the book who visits with his then wife and young son bringing the gift of kittens. I hope when we do eventually meet that it will be a less frenetic visit than the one described there. What I do know is that I will be meeting someone with a gentle but wicked sense of humour able to see the funny side in many of the grim aspects of her illness. I look forward to that day.
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
From the first sentence I new this was going to be something really good and very different from the other "self help" or "personal story" books I have read. My partner has had M.E. (or Chronic Fatigue) for many years and this book is just brilliant. It had us both laughing (and sometimes crying) with it's amazing observations on living life whilst trying to stay sane!
This is a truly tender, funny and very original book. Beautifully illustrated too. A great tonic for anyone, not just those that know the real meaning of Chronic Fatigue. Being written in a diary format also makes it very easy to put down and pick up again - great for a fatigued person! Highly recommended.
This is a truly tender, funny and very original book. Beautifully illustrated too. A great tonic for anyone, not just those that know the real meaning of Chronic Fatigue. Being written in a diary format also makes it very easy to put down and pick up again - great for a fatigued person! Highly recommended.
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
I can't recommend this book enough! It came into my life at a time when I had had ME for 4 years and was feeling totally isolated and misunderstood.
It's so funny and witty that you can't help but laugh out loud! More importantly it accurately portrays the feelings and frustrations of ME sufferers. I'd be reading parts and look around to tell everyone "That's me, that's me!!!" - of course everyone else was at work, but it made me feel better anyway!
I'd also suggest that friends and family of ME sufferers read this - it'll help explain what happened to that healthy, sane person you used to know!
As one previous reviewer wrote, the book is heavy, but you won't notice once you get past page one! I just felt like I got great value for money! It became like my new friend; whenever someone annoyed me with his or her ignorance, I'd just grab the book and stomp off - well as much as one can whilst limping with a walking stick!
Even if you're lucky enough to live a life untouched by ME, you'll still laugh, cry and enjoy the illustrations! Afterall, there's a little bit of Verity Red in all of us!
It's so funny and witty that you can't help but laugh out loud! More importantly it accurately portrays the feelings and frustrations of ME sufferers. I'd be reading parts and look around to tell everyone "That's me, that's me!!!" - of course everyone else was at work, but it made me feel better anyway!
I'd also suggest that friends and family of ME sufferers read this - it'll help explain what happened to that healthy, sane person you used to know!
As one previous reviewer wrote, the book is heavy, but you won't notice once you get past page one! I just felt like I got great value for money! It became like my new friend; whenever someone annoyed me with his or her ignorance, I'd just grab the book and stomp off - well as much as one can whilst limping with a walking stick!
Even if you're lucky enough to live a life untouched by ME, you'll still laugh, cry and enjoy the illustrations! Afterall, there's a little bit of Verity Red in all of us!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
sooo disappointed
A diary...I could'nt wait for delivery. Just to share the experiences of living with M E - I had hopes of it being therapeutic - wrong! Read more
Published 3 months ago by lizbec
Witty and original, a great "companion"
I found this book quite inspirational and am amazed that someone with M.E. (quite severe I read elsewhere) has been able to produce such an upbeat and witty book. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Kim Groveman
A Huge Disappointment
I bought this book about 2 or 3 years ago and I still haven't finished it. I desperately want to like it because I suffer from M.E. Read more
Published 19 months ago by missmilki
Witty page-turner
I really enjoyed this book. I bought it for a friend who has ME, and then ended up reading it myself from cover to cover, before I parted with it! Read more
Published on 9 Nov 2009 by teyman1
Funny Warming & Truly Entertaining even if you don't suffer
This book opened my eyes to another world, the world M.E. My Mate suffers with this illness that I never truly understood. Read more
Published on 6 May 2009 by C. Hansell
Depressing Read
I bought this book around a year ago, and have still not finished reading it, although I keep trying to read some of it every now and again. Read more
Published on 24 April 2009 by Sarah Ross
A Brilliant Book - A Piece Of Fiction That Is So Many Peoples Reality...
Been diagnosed with ME nearly three years ago - I must admit I read everything on the subject I could and then I stumbled across this. Read more
Published on 1 Mar 2009 by Louise Hollow
brilliant
This book is brilliantly written with such humour considering the writer has the awful ME. Well Done.
Published on 29 Jan 2009 by jrg
It's brilliant!!
A superb book!! Magical illustrations!! And should be available on the nhs!!. I have M.E. and this book has been a valued `Companion' in every sense of the word, in the loneliness,... Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2008 by S. E. Smith
An excellent read
Maria Mann has created in Verity Red a character who comes to life through the pages of this book. You will come to know Verity very well as you travel with her on a journey... Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2008 by Jess
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