Review No. 2
I had the opportunity to read this fantastic book about Susannah's experience of encephalitis. I found it extremely moving and touching, but funny and gripping at the same time. Her writing style is friendly and easy to relate to, and I found myself unable to put the book down at the end of each chapter. “Brain on fire” importantly highlights NMDA receptor encephalitis which is a rare condition amongst the not so common condition of encephalitis. I feel that individuals and families with encephalitis will identify the bewilderment of severe changes in behaviour and personality and the difficulty of the medical professionals to say what is going on. So many people with encephalitis do not get a diagnosis of what caused their brain to be “on fire”.
However, the beauty of Susannah's book and its wider appeal is her honesty and humour in describing her personal journey. The reader feels very present with Susannah as she begins her descent into madness and stays with her, cares for her during her month of madness. I appreciated her description of how she had to re-learn who she was in the first weeks and months since she left hospital, feeling her way with old friends and returning to writing, finally recognising that she will always be different to who she was before her illness. In my work providing neuropsychological support to people recovering from encephalitis, this is an important adjustment and Susannah gives hope and an eloquent voice to not only people with encephalitis but to the story of personal growth through adversity.
Susannah's relationship with her parents, boyfriend Stephen, brother and friends was central to the book and an integral part of her journey. Their unwavering belief that she remained at the core of the mad woman in the hospital speaks of their strength and love. I was particularly moved by Susannah's honest portrayal of how her illness had stripped away her relationship with each of her parents and how time, honesty and love rebuilt these bonds.
