Synopses & Reviews
On the morning of July 29, 1995, Robert McCrum -- 42 years old, just two weeks newly married, at the top of his profession as one of British publishing's most admired editors, in what he thought was the full bloom of health -- awoke to find himself totally paralyzed on the left side, the victim of a stroke brought on by a massive cerebral hemorrhage. After a nightmarish day struggling to reach a phone, he finally summoned help. In the weeks to come, he would have to face the reality that his life had irrevocably changed and that medical science, maddeningly, could neither pinpoint the cause of the stroke nor offer any guarantee of recovery. What ensued was a battle beset by frustration and depression but equally marked by small victories, the help of dedicated physicians and therapists, and, first and last, the support of his new wife, whose love proved equal to their dismaying circumstances. is an eloquent story of hope, written with the sort of candor and detail that the author believes has been missing in the literature of strokes up to this time. It is as well a grown-up love story of the most realistic -- and hence, inspiring -- kind.
Synopsis
Four years ago, Robert McCrum -- 42 years old, newly married, and at the top of Britain's publishing world -- awoke to find himself totally paralyzed on the left side. In the weeks to come, McCrum would have to face harsh realites: His life was irrevocably changed by a massive cerebral hemorrhage, and medical science could neither pinpoint the cause nor offer any guarantee of recovery. My Year Off poignantly traces McCrum's frustrations and inspirations as he faces an incomprehensible battle of recovery. Interspersed with excerpts from the journals he and his wife kept, and now featuring a poignant afterword on the tremendous reader response McCrum has received, My Year Off reflects the remarkable power of love to heal the body and soul.
Synopsis
My Year Off is an eloquent story of hope, written with the sort of candor and detail that the author believes has been missing in the literature of strokes up to this time. It is as well a grown-up love story of the most realistic and hence, inspiring kind. "
Synopsis
A frank and moving memoir of the stroke that felled McCrum at the peak of vigor and achievement--an eloquent story of hope, written with the sort of candor and detail that the author believes has been missing in this type of literature. Excerpted in "The New Yorker".
Synopsis
A frank and moving memoir of the stroke that felled the author at his peak of vigor and achievement.
About the Author
is the associate editor of and lives in London with his wife, Sarah Lyall. His books include the bestselling , , , and .