A book review
'Nothing Was The Same', Kay Jamison. New York, New York. Random House, Inc.
2009. pgs.203
The author is a Professor of Psychiatry at John Hopkins Univ.School of Medicine, and has other medical credentials. She is plagued with Manic-depressive illness, and has been very honest and open about it, despite the advice of her colleagues she has written openly about it. Her husband Richard was a reknown scientist and battled debilitating dyslexia, yet was an expert on schizophrenia.
In her book she talks about how Richard was such an inspiration to her in their marriage; and how one day, Richard received the news his illness was terminal. Richard, being a scientist and not believing in an after-life, insisted they began to make plans for his funeral, burial and her eventually getting on with life. After his death she begins to experience spiritual thoughts that in some ways begins to draw her back to her faith, though she never comes right out and says it.
If you would like some reviews about the book you can find them on http://www.amazon.com/.
I read this book last week on vacation; its one of those books I purchased at Barnes & Noble, and hoped that it would help with our 'Grieving' class ................... and it did when we spoke about
Anticipated Grief. This book was written from a secular perspective, which enhanced our discussion. I enjoyed the book.
'Nothing Was The Same', Kay Jamison. New York, New York. Random House, Inc.
2009. pgs.203
The author is a Professor of Psychiatry at John Hopkins Univ.School of Medicine, and has other medical credentials. She is plagued with Manic-depressive illness, and has been very honest and open about it, despite the advice of her colleagues she has written openly about it. Her husband Richard was a reknown scientist and battled debilitating dyslexia, yet was an expert on schizophrenia.
In her book she talks about how Richard was such an inspiration to her in their marriage; and how one day, Richard received the news his illness was terminal. Richard, being a scientist and not believing in an after-life, insisted they began to make plans for his funeral, burial and her eventually getting on with life. After his death she begins to experience spiritual thoughts that in some ways begins to draw her back to her faith, though she never comes right out and says it.
If you would like some reviews about the book you can find them on http://www.amazon.com/.
I read this book last week on vacation; its one of those books I purchased at Barnes & Noble, and hoped that it would help with our 'Grieving' class ................... and it did when we spoke about
Anticipated Grief. This book was written from a secular perspective, which enhanced our discussion. I enjoyed the book.
Sounds interesting
ReplyDeleteYet another book to add to my already crowded list. As you point out below, grief is something we need; it is truly a gift. I often wonder whether God uses it to draw us closer to Him, because in grief, we are confronted with the impermanence of this world.
ReplyDeleteCheers.
We can draw much from the transparency of writers like Kay Jamison who has demonstrated that God's grace and mercy extend beyond the boundaries of our own typically limited human consideration. I am challenged by the story of her trajic life to remember there is only one pathway to God, the one he provided through his only son and few walk that path, but I cannot know the inner thoughts of the faithful. Only God discerns the heart and can look beyond the tortured thoughts of a wounded mind like that of Kay Jamison. I would like to read this book, I wonder if there is a hint she found the path, even though it is not clearly stated.
ReplyDeleteSage....
ReplyDeleteThe value of her experience, at least in our grieving journey, was that it was secular. I think you'd find it somewhat fulfilling in executing some of your daily tasks. thanks
Sherm....
I like your concept about how God uses this gift to remind us we are but travellers in this world - how easy it is to forget that.
Don.....
Its so good to hear from you, my brother. I like to think at least her recognition of God in the process is a first step, I'm praying for her that it was, or is, or will be.