As a passionate fan of Joseph Heller's Catch-22, I can firmly assert that this book is imbued with his trademark wit. However, beneath the surface humor lies a profoundly serious exploration of a debilitating and often abrupt disorder. Guillain–Barré syndrome, similar to Lou Gehrig's or Parkinson's disease, is a neurological disorder that can paralyze the body.

Heller, while out jogging one day, suddenly found himself in a situation where he had to be rushed to the hospital. Helpless and reliant on constant care, he chronicles his physical condition throughout the book. There are brief moments when he experiences a slight ability to move, but it is a long and arduous process. Heller frequently comments on the difficulties he faces and the numerous procedures he endures.

Adding to his challenges, he was in the midst of writing his fourth novel, "God Knows," and was also going through a messy divorce.

Thankfully, many famous faces came forward to offer their help and boost his morale. Among them were Mel Brooks, Mario Puzo, and Dustin Hoffman. The book alternates chapters between Joseph and his writing friend, Speed Vogel.

Overall, it provides a valuable and educational perspective on the recovery process. At times, it can be humorous, but at other times, it can be difficult to get through due to the depressing confinement caused by the condition. Nevertheless, it also offers a glimmer of hope.

Here's the truly strange aspect. Joseph Heller, who was among the most eminent American novelists of the twentieth century, had an intimate friendship with every "airport novelist" in America. This included Mario Puzo (they had the same literary agent, Candida), Irving Wallace, and Eric Seagal. Additionally, he was friends with every Jewish comic man in the show business, ranging from Mel Brooks to Woody Allen. (Heller once stated that CATCH-22 was a "Jewish joke novel, in the tradition of Henny Youngman.) These friendships proved to be extremely useful when he first went through a divorce from his wife of over thirty years and then endured a debilitating illness that almost left him paralyzed for life. NO LAUGHING MATTER is indeed filled with jokes and literary name-dropping at its very best.

It is quite remarkable how Heller's diverse circle of friends could offer support during his difficult times. The connection with the "airport novelists" might have provided him with a different perspective on the literary world, while his friendships with the Jewish comic men perhaps brought a touch of humor and lightness to his otherwise challenging life.

Overall, Heller's story is a fascinating one, filled with both personal and literary drama. His ability to maintain such a wide range of friendships and find strength in them during times of crisis is truly an inspiration.

In nursing school about a million years ago,

I embarked on writing a thesis on Guillain-Barré-Strohl syndrome.

The knowledge of the existence of a particular book was a crucial factor in my choice of this topic.

The book, indeed, did not disappoint me.

Vogel and Heller's account of the latter's sickness and subsequent recovery from the neurological condition is brutally honest.

They do not shy away from depicting the unpleasant aspects, be it physical or emotional.

Yet, at the same time, a great deal of humor and happiness is also shared within the pages.

This unique combination makes the book not only an informative read but also a deeply engaging one.

It provides valuable insights into the experiences of those suffering from such a condition and offers a glimmer of hope through the sharing of the recovery process.

Overall, it was an essential resource for my thesis and a book that I would highly recommend to others interested in learning more about Guillain-Barré-Strohl syndrome.

This book is, at best, dated.

The second-by-second account it presents is not only tedious but also exhausting to wade through.

I, myself, have had the experience of encountering GBS. And I can't even begin to imagine writing every single account associated with this illness in such great length!

It fails to hold any interest beyond the first 3 pages at all.

The author seems to have gone into excessive detail, perhaps thinking that more is better. However, in this case, it has had the opposite effect.

The story loses its charm and becomes a chore to read.

Maybe a more concise and engaging approach would have been more suitable for this topic.

As it stands, this book is a disappointment and not one that I would recommend to others.

As a survivor of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), I was naturally intrigued by his account of survival.

However, I struggled to connect with the parts where he mentioned Dustin Hoffman brushing his teeth and other such name-dropping. It seemed a bit out of place and didn't add much to the overall narrative for me.

But when he delved deep and shared with me the raw emotion of how scared he was, which I believe he did once, that's when it truly felt real. It was as if I could sense his fear and understand the magnitude of what he had been through.

In the end, I gave him 2 stars. The reason being that despite the flaws in his storytelling, he had managed to survive and was able to share his experience with others. That in itself is an accomplishment worthy of some recognition.

Perhaps with a bit more refinement and a focus on the core of his survival journey, his story could have had a greater impact. But as it stands, it was an interesting read that offered a glimpse into the life of someone who had overcome a significant challenge.

His journey with Guillain-Barre syndrome was truly a remarkable one.

It was a fascinating, disciplined, and heartbreaking personal observation.

Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder that can cause muscle weakness and paralysis.

In his case, it completely paralyzed him, leaving him unable to move or even breathe on his own.

But despite the challenges, he remained disciplined in his recovery process.

He worked hard with the help of his medical team, including his nurse, who played a crucial role in his journey.

Over time, he slowly began to regain some of his strength and mobility.

And in a twist of fate, he ended up falling in love with his nurse and marrying her.

His story is an inspiration to us all, showing that even in the face of adversity, love and determination can overcome all obstacles.

A Witty and Uplifting Account of Overcoming a Crippling Disease

It is truly astonishing to read about how Heller maintains his spirit and wit in the face of GBS. His ability to find humor and positivity in such a difficult situation is both inspiring and heartwarming. The book also provides an interesting character sketch of the various people close to him. Heller's observations on these side characters are equally entertaining, adding depth and color to the story.

However, the book does tend to stumble a bit towards the end when Heller delves into his divorce proceedings. This section feels a bit disjointed and detracts from the overall flow of the narrative. Nevertheless, despite this minor flaw, the book is still a really worthwhile read. It offers valuable insights into the human spirit and the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.

C+ is a nonfiction autobiography that delves into the harrowing journey of the author, Heller, through the debilitating illness of Gilles-Barre Syndrome. This condition, which attacks the nervous system, can have a profound impact on a person's life, both physically and emotionally.

The book takes readers on a step-by-step account of Heller's diagnosis, the initial symptoms that left him feeling confused and scared, and the long and arduous process of recovery. Through his vivid descriptions, we can almost feel the pain and frustration he endured as he struggled to regain his strength and mobility.

Heller's story is not only one of personal struggle but also one of hope and inspiration. Despite the many obstacles he faced, he never gave up, and his determination to overcome his illness is truly remarkable. C+ is a must-read for anyone who has ever faced a difficult challenge in life or who wants to gain a deeper understanding of the human spirit.

I doubt anyone without a direct GBS experience, either as a patient or caregiver, would enjoy reading this book.

It seems that only those who have truly gone through the hardships and challenges related to GBS can fully understand and appreciate the contents within.

Additionally, I also thought it was too long. The excessive length might have made it a bit of a chore for some readers to get through.

Perhaps if it had been more concise and to the point, it could have been more engaging and accessible to a wider audience.

Nevertheless, for those with a personal connection to GBS, this book may still hold some value and provide insights that others might not be able to fully grasp.

Overall, while it has its merits, the combination of its target audience and length might limit its appeal to a certain extent.

Pred Hellerovou vaznou chorobou, jeho blízkí priatelia často tazkali na jeho mimoriadnu netrpělivost, hrubost, necitlivost, neupřímnost, negativizmus a celkovou nevřlost. Tento způsob chování mu často způsoboval problémy v jeho vztazích s ostatními.

Když se u Joa objevil Guillain-Barreho syndrom, jeho chování se vo všech směrech výrazně zlepšilo. Jeho přátelé, my jsme začali uvažovat, jak by jsme mu mohli nainfikovat další vážnou chorobu, až se z této vyzdraví a zase bude jako předtím. Tento myšlenka mě stále trápí, protože je to pro jeho vlastní dobro stejně jako pro dobro lidí.

Chtěl jsem ještě chvíli pobudit ve Hellerově společnosti. Jeho memoar z období, kdy dostal Guillain-Barreho syndrom, je opravdu zajímavý. Toto autoimunní onemocnění nezaměstnaného původu s rychlým nástupem vede k odumírání nervových vláken a ochraně celého těla. Většina pacientů končí na umělé plicní ventilaci (Heller se tomu vyhnul), ale mnozí se během několika měsíců vyléčí.

Podobně jako hrdina Hlavy 22 Yossarian, i Heller tráví čas na lůžku, okukuje sestřičky a do každé se okamžitě zalubí. Tím se však podobnost s jeho nejznámější knihou končí. Jeho memoar není opravdu příliš zábavný. Je vyčerpavajícím způsobem podrobný a navíc opisuje každou situaci z dvou stran - střídají se kapitoly napsané Hellerem a kapitoly napsané jeho přáteli, malířem a sochařem Speedom Vogelom.

Goodreads recenze jsou plné zklamáních lidí, kteří měli tuto chorobu a knihu si kupili v naději, že dostanou o ní podrobné medicínské informace. Pro mě to byl zajímavý pohled aktivního a slavného člověka, který se náhle ocitne závislý na jiných. Trochu méně name-droppingu, kteří slavní kamaráti ho v nemocnici navštěvovali by však neškodilo.

2,5* z 5, vhodné především pro skalné Hellerovy fanoušky a fanoušky.

Boring


At the very start, this thing seemed rather interesting. It had a certain allure that caught one's attention. However, as time went on, it gradually became really boring. The so-called story seemed to convey the message that rich and famous people don't truly suffer. This is a rather one-sided and unconvincing view. After all, everyone has their own set of problems and difficulties, regardless of their financial or social status.


Moreover, the mention of Heller being a sexist pig is quite a strong accusation. It makes one wonder about the nature of his work and his attitude towards women. If this is indeed the case, it would definitely have a negative impact on the overall perception of his writing. In conclusion, this thing that started off with some promise ended up being a disappointment, both in terms of its content and the character of its author.

This book vividly captures the monotony that can be felt during the long months spent in the hospital.

Undoubtedly, I would never in any way demean or downplay the profound psychological impact that such an experience can have on a person.

Moreover, the friendship that lies at the very heart of this book is truly touching and significant.

However, it must be said that despite these aspects, the book doesn't necessarily make for thrilling or exciting reading.

The narrative, perhaps due to its focus on the hospital routine and the emotions within that confined space, may lack the kind of dynamism and adventure that some readers might seek.

Nonetheless, it offers a valuable perspective on the human experience in a hospital setting and the power of friendship in such circumstances.

It makes one reflect on the often overlooked aspects of life in a healthcare institution and the importance of human connection even in the most challenging of times.