by Gish Jen
First published 2012
This collection brings together doctors who have devoted their careers to mending damaged bodies and minds. The volume examines what occurs when medical treatment works and what happens when it cannot help us. Contributors include a young man fighting to restore his mental wellness and a writer watching multiple sclerosis take control of her physical form. The pieces range from critiques of mass-produced pharmaceutical tablets to celebrations of traditional remedies like the warm drinks that grandmothers used to treat everything from minor injuries to emotional pain. The anthology presents perspectives from surgeons, healers, and those seeking care. These voices demonstrate that narrative itself can serve as powerful medicine.
Genres: medical, non-fiction, health
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: diverse-perspectives, found-family
256 pages · Paperback · Granta
Content warnings: mental-illness