Helpful Score: 3
Highly recommended. Part mystery, part social commentary, I love the slight digs at modern medicine and the futility of the healthcare system. Though the protagonist's "disease" is fictional, it makes us remember that, despite all advances in modern biomedicine, there's still no cure-all...or even a cure for the common cold.
Helpful Score: 2
Alan Lightman has written a highly original book that's an indictment of
"a time-crunched, information-glutted world." (Entertainment Weekly) This book "forcefully captures the great confluence of our times: information overload, unimaginable prosperity and spiritual bankruptcy." (The New York Times) Loved this book! Bill Chalmers is an upper echelon executive who loses his memory while on his way to work. He's the "everyman" of today: suffering from information overload and the pressures of a job where projects never seem to end, Bill's memory just can't take it any more. He goes from one specialist to another. None of the doctors can figure out exactly what his medical diagnosis is. Then, he quickly starts to recover his memory only to start feeling numb in his hands. The numbness starts spreading and Bill ends up paralyzed. Reminds me of Kafka set in the 21st century. This is an allegorical novel of one man's descent into darkness. Unable to communicate his angst to anyone, Bill even communicates with his beloved teenage son through email. Having worked for over 15 years in New York City, I can definitely relate to this book. And, I've heard it's even worse now...anyhow, I think anyone will be able to relate to this book at some level. I couldn't put it down; loved the story and the truth shining from this book.
"a time-crunched, information-glutted world." (Entertainment Weekly) This book "forcefully captures the great confluence of our times: information overload, unimaginable prosperity and spiritual bankruptcy." (The New York Times) Loved this book! Bill Chalmers is an upper echelon executive who loses his memory while on his way to work. He's the "everyman" of today: suffering from information overload and the pressures of a job where projects never seem to end, Bill's memory just can't take it any more. He goes from one specialist to another. None of the doctors can figure out exactly what his medical diagnosis is. Then, he quickly starts to recover his memory only to start feeling numb in his hands. The numbness starts spreading and Bill ends up paralyzed. Reminds me of Kafka set in the 21st century. This is an allegorical novel of one man's descent into darkness. Unable to communicate his angst to anyone, Bill even communicates with his beloved teenage son through email. Having worked for over 15 years in New York City, I can definitely relate to this book. And, I've heard it's even worse now...anyhow, I think anyone will be able to relate to this book at some level. I couldn't put it down; loved the story and the truth shining from this book.
I read just enough to figure out that I would not be cheered up by the story.
Fantastic book. Absolutely. One of my favorites. Not an "easy" read, but good. Very good.
Excellent. Fascinating. Disturbing. Wonderful.
