- Paperback: 198 pages
- Publisher: BookSurge (15 Nov 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1419615815
- ISBN-13: 978-1419615818
- Product Dimensions: 20.4 x 13.4 x 2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 908,229 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
stranger and stranger
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Product Description
Review
Lisa Jewell, Bestselling Author of Ralph's Party
"This is a great story...I am seriously impressed. "
"This is a great story...I am seriously impressed. "
Review
"This book is compelling testimony of one man’s courage in dealing with a life that has been comprehensively wrecked by severe M.E. The whimsical format and offbeat humour create a vivid picture of the reality of a raw talent constrained by prolonged illness but never defeated. 'stranger and stranger' is well named. It is by turns funny, intriguing, sad and just strange but it is above all a triumphant demonstration of Robert’s inner strength. Do read it and be educated, entertained and enlightened about this horrible illness."
Sir Peter Spencer, CEO Action for M.E.
"Robert McMullen has put his finger on what it's like to be chronically ill and housebound with a misunderstood illness and uncertain diagnosis. The arrival of a mystery email sparks an exchange that illuminates a dark place but takes up his available energies and has an emotional cost. Like the illness ME itself, the story takes unexpected turns – the quizzes, challenges and quotations are delightful, and the outcome is a most surprising one, leaving a questioning reader.
The author's newly added afterword in which he writes about his diagnosis for the first time is very clear and eloquent. It reflects the "on the ground" experience that I hear when people ring the charity. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it as a sensitive and absorbing portrayal of a sojourn."
Dr Neil C. Abbot, Operations Director, ME Research UK
Sir Peter Spencer, CEO Action for M.E.
"Robert McMullen has put his finger on what it's like to be chronically ill and housebound with a misunderstood illness and uncertain diagnosis. The arrival of a mystery email sparks an exchange that illuminates a dark place but takes up his available energies and has an emotional cost. Like the illness ME itself, the story takes unexpected turns – the quizzes, challenges and quotations are delightful, and the outcome is a most surprising one, leaving a questioning reader.
The author's newly added afterword in which he writes about his diagnosis for the first time is very clear and eloquent. It reflects the "on the ground" experience that I hear when people ring the charity. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it as a sensitive and absorbing portrayal of a sojourn."
Dr Neil C. Abbot, Operations Director, ME Research UK
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Intimate Encounter,
This review is from: stranger and stranger (Paperback)
A compelling and wryly humorous book charting the effects of a chance encounter and the gap between how we wish to be viewed, how we believe we are seen and how we really appear, in a great mix of the bravely honest and the self-depreciatingly funny. Rob wants to be his old self and not a medical history so he is cagey with Rose17 the woman he meets through an Amazon review. They seem to have little in common except an innate curiosity and an interest in books, but slowly mind games and sexual tension metamorphose into genuine affection. Rob's comments - in asides to the reader - along with various e-mail attachments, notes and quizzes build almost unintentionally into an amazingly intimate glimpse of the interior of one man's head. Perhaps revealing more than he'd counted on.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stranger and Stranger,
By A reader (Sussex, England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: stranger and stranger (Paperback)
Just as well Robert's book is not too long - for once I started it, I had to read to the end! It gives an insight into the intelligent mind of a young man who is certainly achieving great mental goals despite the limitations of his physical illness. I definitely recommend this book.
For anyone to write a first book, it is a challenge and requires much courage in addition to writing talent. For Rob, confined to his home for many years from age 21 with a debilitating illness, it must have taken mind-boggling amounts of determination to exert the physical strength and the emotional energy to achieve this intriguing glimpse into a short period of his life. The book filled me with curiosity, because it was constantly interesting and because as I turned the pages, I was left wondering what next? Through the string of emails exchanged between Rob and Rose runs a fascinating mixture of other items - poems, puzzles, observations, quotations - you never know quite what to expect but every piece helps you to know Rob just a little bit more! The book contains so many human emotions - humour, curiosity, excitement, happiness, loneliness, courage, hope, despair, sadness - it gives true insight into some of the difficulties and joys of Robert's life. It certainly makes you think! Wherever life takes Rob and Rose, I wish them the best of luck - and Rob a return to good health. The book left me wanting to read more.......
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Friend Indeed,
This review is from: stranger and stranger (Paperback)
I am a coincidence aficionado and like to believe that there is no such thing as a chance meeting. However, I am more artistically than mathematically inclined. I wonder if Robert McMullen would be able to use his enviable mathematical prowess to provide us with an equation to determine the probability of him meeting such a warm, funny and intelligent person as Ruth, over the internet, at such a difficult time in his life.Rob has an undisclosed illness that has made him housebound for several years. To preserve his sanity and mental agility, he posts a (very eloquent) review on the Amazon website. The review is the metaphoric touch paper that ignites and jet propels its way to Ruth’s attention, causing a significant shift in both their lives. The ensuing email correspondence is warm, funny, insightful and intellectually invigorating, punctuated as it is by a mixture of McMullen’s private commentary, quotations, paradoxes and personality tests. Through these devices he reveals a lot more to the reader than he is able to reveal to Ruth herself. Ruth seems like a genuinely special person and a true friend. She finds it easier to expose herself than Rob. She has no problem meeting lovers but her relationships seem to lack the intellectual stimulation that she enjoys with her newfound confidant. Rob uses his limited energies to keep his mind active. Despite being ill for many years, he proves himself to be an inspiring and witty correspondent, gliding effortlessly between an understanding of literature, mathematics, science, music and art. However, he yearns for physical contact with a woman. Both characters are searching for answers, both eager to glean more insights into the minds of the opposite sex. There is a sexual curiosity between the two that ebbs and flows throughout the book, but the main sentiment that resides once the emails reach their conclusion is a genuine friendship. Ruth repeatedly asks Rob how he is, although she knows he is unlikely to answer, “I do care you know” she says tenderly. Stranger and Stranger is life affirming for many reasons. Both characters face challenges, both experience extreme loneliness at times, both cherish friends and family, both are looking for love. Even in the depths of despair Rob finds a simple action can radically alter his state of mind. In the same way, Ruth’s spirits soar as she travels to work on a beautiful day. Stranger and Stranger also proves that men and women do not need to understand each other at all times to get on. In fact, maybe we’re not so different after all. I would thoroughly recommend this book- be warned, once started it is impossible to put down.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A very good read.
Bring on the sequel!! And the prequel!!
Published on 6 Feb 2006
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