A Meeting with a difference

There were few members available at the previous meeting. The books that were offered were themed and related to death and dying, mental health dementia and Alzheimer's.  It was decided that each book would be read by one or two members of the group who would then provide a view at the next meeting 

The books were: When I Die by Philip Gould; My left Foot by Christie Brown; Iris by John Bailey; Unquiet Mind Kay Redfield Jamison;  Still Alice by Lisa Genova. 

Philip Gould a friend of Tony Blair and lauded as being the brains behind New Labour was diagnosed with terminal cancer. It is a story about his death and dying and affirmation of his life. Charles described the book as stirring, annoying and self indulgent st times.  The book he felt ebbed and flowed depending on his own mood and the mood of the writer.  Charles felt that it was a bit of an eye opener where New labour politics had been considered as rough, tough and not ethical. However, the personalities involved in the movement came across as spiritual and soft. He was intrigued by the book and enjoyed it. He found it interesting from the beginning of the end. 

Christy Brown was born with cerebral palsy to a poor working class Irish family.  It was a family with much love and warmth but not money.  His mother ensured that he was included and provided with every opportunity.  He taught himself to paint by using his left foot which he could control. The story was moving and no more so when his mother used the money that she had been saving hidden in the chimney as intended, to purchase a wheel chair despite the fact that they were more impoverished due to the sudden death of their father.   This meant that his siblings took him out and he could join in with the other children playing football having races and just generally having fun. The Dr from whom the wheelchair was purchased gave him a place at her school where he continued with his painting and writing.  He was desperate for love and relationship and marries.  He became a celebrated Irish writer which includes this book, the autobiography of his life.  It was an excellent read which celebrates inclusivity and disability.  In 2014 are we any closer to an inclusive society? 

Iris Murdoch a celebrated author developed Alzheimer's .  Her husband dedicated himself to her welfare despite her decline. The members of the group who read this said they did not find that it was particularly well written but described the devastation that her illness had on their existing life style. Her condition did not seem typical.  She did not want anyone to know about her condition and she gradually wanted less and less contact with friends.  Their world closed in and they became very isolated. There were some tender moments when Iris wanted to go for a swim, and her husband took her for their last swim together in the river.  She did write beautifully and led at times a somewhat racey life, with a few affairs but her forgiving and adoring husband forgave and defended her reputation.  There were precious moments of lucidity which acted as a cruel reminder of what was lost.  Overall, it was viewed as a poignant love story of dedication and adoration and provided a sad and vivid account of the creeping isolation and squalor that this condition can create.

This book is an autobiographical account.  It explains using humour a prose the first hand experience of the roller coaster of manic depression. This condition as with most mental health conditions is little understood.  Kay's father had the condition and he was a successful meteorologist which meant that the family travelled around frequently during her childhood until they settled in Washington DC.  Her early experiences of the manic side of this condition occurred when she was in teens when she seemed to revel in them.  She was prescribed lithium, which was successful in managing her moods and making them more consistent, however she craved the highs.  She became a psychiatrist and progressed to a Doctorate .  The book was written sensitively and humorously described some of he manic experiences.  One of her big regrets is her concious decision not to have children due to the genetically derived mental health condition which she did not wish to transfer to any children. 

Lisa Genova self published this novel on the internet.  It describes the story of a Harvard PhD Professor of Neuroscience and her diagnosis of early onset Alzheimer's.  This could not be more contrast to Iris as her husband is in denial and is not sympathetic.  The member of the group who read this found it a harrowing read.  Her first awareness of the disease was when she was out running on a route that she ran for many years she suddenly found that she had no idea where she was in what should have been a well known place. This was one of the symptoms and was diagnosed and sought a second opinion. She eventually tells her husband after a while and expects him to accept it. She goes into melt down when he doesn't . She needs to tell the children, and it is her daughter is whom she gets close to even though there is a view that she could do better.  This is a successful family who have a healthy lifestyle that has been lauded as preventing Alzheimer's  and challenges the advice given but also chillingly shows that we are no neare understanding or managing this condition effectively. It is a must read. 

The books on offer were:

The Reluctant Fundamentalist - Mohsin Hamid

Bring up the Bodies - Hilary Mantel

Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man - James Joyce

The Spirit Level - Richard Wilkinson and Kate Picket

The book that the group chose is the Reluctant Fundamentalist