Despite the title, the book is actually quite entertaining.

I was really intrigued to discover some details about the personal life of my favorite author, Heller.

It turns out that he is also a good friend of another one of my favorite authors, Mario Puzo.

There are some really interesting stories related to their friendship as well.

For any fan of Heller, this book is an absolute must-read.

It offers a unique perspective into the life and times of the author, and provides insights that you might not find anywhere else.

Whether you're interested in his writing process, his personal relationships, or just want to know more about the man behind the books, this book has something for everyone.

So if you're a fan of Heller, or just a lover of great literature, be sure to check out this book.

You won't be disappointed.

A very sweet story about friendship. It was truly a delight to read. The story beautifully depicted the bond between two friends. Their loyalty, care, and understanding for each other were truly heartwarming. It made me realize the importance of having true friends in our lives. The way they supported each other through thick and thin was inspiring. I could easily put myself in their shoes and feel their emotions. The story had a simple yet powerful message that friendship is a precious gift that should be cherished. I found myself smiling throughout the reading and was left with a warm feeling in my heart. I would highly recommend this story to anyone who loves a good tale about friendship. It is sure to touch your heart and make you appreciate the special people in your life.

I too had Guillain-Barré Syndrome when I was much younger. It was a truly challenging experience. Reading this book has been a great source of comfort for me. It made me feel a little less alone in my struggle. It's really interesting to read someone else's perspective on how this syndrome affected them. Because, let's face it, having Guillain-Barré Syndrome really SUCKED BISCUITS. It took a toll on my physical and mental well-being. But through it all, I managed to persevere. And reading this book has given me a newfound sense of hope and inspiration. I'm glad that there are others out there who understand what it's like to go through this. It makes me feel like I'm not alone in this fight.

Re-reading this during May, which is GBS Awareness Month, has brought back a flood of memories.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a rare but serious autoimmune disorder that can have a profound impact on a person's life.

During this month, it is important to raise awareness about GBS, its symptoms, and the need for early diagnosis and treatment.

By sharing our stories and experiences, we can help others understand this condition better and provide support to those who are affected by it.

Re-reading this piece has also made me realize how far we have come in our understanding and treatment of GBS, but there is still a long way to go.

We need to continue to fund research, improve education, and provide better support services for patients and their families.

Let us use this GBS Awareness Month to make a difference and help those who are living with this challenging condition.

I read this back when it first came out.

Reread about half of it, skipping around, when a family member came down with Guillain-Barre Syndrome in August 2021.

Treatment has changed in some important ways. For example, new medications and therapies have been developed that can potentially improve the outcome for patients. However, at its core, the treatment still focuses on managing the symptoms and providing support to the patient's body as it recovers.

I found it of some solace as we are working through it as a family. It was comforting to know that others have gone through a similar experience and have come out on the other side.

But the stories of the Gourmet Club, before Heller was afflicted, are the funniest parts. The descriptions of the members' antics and their love for good food and wine had me laughing out loud. It was a welcome distraction from the seriousness of the situation.

Overall, reading this again has been a valuable experience for me. It has given me hope and a sense of perspective as we continue to deal with my family member's illness.

I have a deep affection for Joseph Heller. However, the co-author of "No Laughing Matter", Speed Vogel, fails to impress as a competent writer. It appears that this book was predominantly his concept, and Heller merely tagged along.

The book gives the impression of being a mere compilation of events that took place subsequent to Heller's diagnosis with Guillain-Barre syndrome. While it offers the reader a rare glimpse into Heller's private life, with famous characters making brief appearances here and there, which is somewhat entertaining.

Undoubtedly, Heller展现出 great heroism in his fight against the disease. Nevertheless, this aspect alone is insufficient to elevate the book to a truly excellent one.

Overall, the book has its flaws, and despite the presence of Heller's name and his heroic struggle, it doesn't quite reach the high standards one might expect from a work associated with such a renowned author.

Joesph Heller, the renowned author of Catch-22, found himself hospitalized for months due to a rare autoimmune condition known as Guillian-Barre Syndrome. In this affliction, the victim can become paralyzed for days, weeks, or even longer. The story of his illness and recovery is co-written with his buddy, Speed Vogel, with each chapter alternating points of view. I was initially drawn to this book as I had also suffered from Guillain-Barre five years ago and felt a sense of unfinished business. However, I soon discovered that other people's illness can be rather boring and even disgusting. Heller seems to kvetch about his sputum on almost every page, which is quite off-putting. He also has the audacity to congratulate himself on his so-called fabulous physique, despite being an old geezer. Additionally, he denigrates women at every opportunity and name drops to an embarrassing degree, mentioning the likes of Mel (Brooks), Marlon (Brando), and Dustin (Hoffman).

The only somewhat interesting aspect of the book is the sense of being taken on a tour of old Hollywood by a grumpy mensch. However, the friend who co-writes, Speed Vogel, reminds me of Kato Kaelin. He gives us every tedious detail of his life, neuroses, and self-aggrandizing observations. Basically, he's a poor kid who sponges off rich movie stars and basks in their reflected glow. Heller, on the other hand, does absolutely nothing in terms of introspection or reflection. Instead, we get a blow-by-blow account of his gallant efforts to spew forth phlegm and his admirable ability to entertain movie stars under duress. He eventually finishes recuperating in the south of France. I must confess that I skipped about 150 insufferable pages, going from page 166 straight to the end. It makes one wonder how such a drip could have written the masterpiece that is Catch-22.

This isn't a story about Guillain Barre Syndrome, a still-mysterious disease that abruptly struck Heller and for a while turned him into a totally dependent and frightened person.

It's a story - told by Heller and his longtime friend Speed Vogel - about friendship, human frailty, and the occasional triumph of laughter.

If you're a Heller fan, you'll find this fascinating on a number of levels. You'll get to see a different side of the author, one that is vulnerable yet still able to find humor in the face of adversity.

If you've never read any Heller - well, hey, what are you waiting for? Start with Catch-22. It's a classic novel that has been praised for its satirical look at war and bureaucracy.

But don't stop there. Heller has written many other great works, each with its own unique voice and perspective.

So whether you're a die-hard fan or a newcomer to his work, this story is sure to touch your heart and make you think.

I absolutely adored "No Laughing Matter" by Joseph Heller and Speed Vogel.

The way they collaborated, tossing the book back and forth, alternating chapters, and even inserting dissenting paragraphs into each other's narratives was truly remarkable.

I was so enthralled that I read parts of it aloud to my husband, and he couldn't help but laugh as well.

Despite being a book about a serious illness, it was filled with the joy and zest for life.

However, there was one extremely frightening aspect mentioned - the insinuation that one could contract this illness more than once.

Both Joseph Heller and I found this idea devastating. In fact, Heller begged the person who told him to stop talking.

As someone who has experienced a divorce, I particularly loved his vivid descriptions of the lawyers' antics.

And at the end, when he tallied up the amount he spent, it really hit home for me.

I also adored the descriptions of the Gourmets' Club that he and his friends belonged to.

The thought that in their world, the person with the biggest appetite was the reigning supreme was simply hilarious.

I could almost picture myself as a contender!

It truly baffles me that someone in a review said they didn't like this book because it was "too Jewish."

Who would write such a thing? It's not only insensitive but also incredibly hurtful.

But what, exactly, were they referring to? It makes one wonder.

Heller's experience with GBS is a truly remarkable and non-fiction account that makes for a compelling read. GBS, or Guillain-Barré Syndrome, is a rare and often debilitating autoimmune disorder. Heller's story details the challenges and hardships he faced during his affliction. From the initial symptoms that left him feeling weak and fatigued to the more severe manifestations that affected his mobility and overall quality of life, Heller's journey is one of perseverance and strength. The article delves into the medical treatments he underwent, the support he received from family and friends, and the emotional toll that the illness took on him. Through it all, Heller remained determined to overcome his condition and return to a normal life. His story is an inspiration to all those who have faced similar challenges and a reminder of the importance of never giving up.

My family is currently grappling with GBS. As a result, I was really hoping to glean some valuable insights from this book regarding what it's like for the patient and what the process of recovery might entail.

However, to my disappointment, it simply came across as a lot of name dropping by Heller, along with mediocre writing and an incredibly self-serving attitude by Vogel.

The only redeeming factor that earns this book two stars instead of just one is the descriptions of Heller's famous friends.

It's truly disheartening that the book failed to provide the kind of in-depth and empathetic understanding that I was seeking. I had such high hopes, but unfortunately, it fell far short of expectations.

Perhaps if the focus had been more on the patient experience and recovery rather than on self-promotion and name dropping, it could have been a more useful and engaging read.

Nonetheless, I will continue my search for other resources that can offer more meaningful and practical information about GBS.

Refined and elegant, the writing style is just as we can expect from Heller.

His words flow smoothly, captivating the reader with their charm and sophistication.

However, despite the beauty of the language, the content in itself is rather tedious and exhausting to ramble through.

It seems to lack a clear focus or direction, meandering aimlessly from one idea to another.

The reader may find themselves losing interest or becoming frustrated with the lack of substance.

Nonetheless, Heller's writing skills are undeniable, and even in this somewhat lackluster piece, there are still moments of brilliance and insight.

Perhaps with a little more editing and refinement, the content could have been elevated to match the elegance of the writing.

Overall, it is a mixed bag, but one that still showcases Heller's talent as a writer.