What Lurks in the Woods: Struggle and Hope in the Midst of Chronic Illness, A Memoir
Russ and Nicole Bell were an upwardly mobile happy couple: two kids, big house, fun hobbies, marvelous life. But something wasn’t quite right—with Russ. He started forgetting things, he got lost, he became enraged, he was harsh with the kids. And he could no longer be trusted with minor responsibilities.
They visited doctor after doctor after doctor to try to determine what was wrong, to no avail. “Alzheimer’s,” they were told, but that didn’t make sense. Russ was too young for that. As the formerly brilliant engineer literally lost his mind and his self, the answer finally became clear—but was it in time?
In this beautifully written but tragic memoir, Nicole Bell documents their journey through the medical minefield as they searched for answers and treatments. This book will inspire people who are suffering from chronic, symptom-based illnesses to dig deeper, so they can find and treat the root causes of their disease before it’s too late.
Plot/Idea: 9 out of 10
Originality: 8 out of 10
Prose: 9 out of 10
Character/Execution: 10 out of 10
Overall: 9.00 out of 10
Assessment:
Plot/Idea: Unlike so many memoirs, Bell's story is not simply a chronicle of events but a gripping narrative of a complex struggle. Her story is a painful one, but also one of strength and endurance.
Prose: Bell is a talented writer. Her ability to convey complex emotions is remarkable, from Russ's frustration and anger to her own inner turmoil.
Originality: This is a highly original and deeply touching work. While others have written on the topic, Bell's chronicle highlights little-explored aspects of the disease from the caregiver's perspective.
Character Development/Execution: Bell does a superb job of bringing her family to life on the page. Honest and gut-wrenching, this exceptional work takes the reader along a frustrating and difficult journey,
Date Submitted: January 04, 2022
