The Night-Side: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & The Illness Experience

by Floyd Skloot

Book Overview

Rarely has so painful a subject-being sick-produced so exhilarating a book. His writing if full of wisdom and panache. He manages to turn physical affliction into literary gold. A series of moving,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1885266316
• ISBN13: 9781885266316
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: Story Line Press
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.5" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

engagingly personal and wide in scope

I am wary of books by men-who-have-been-athletes, because I find my experience of similar life events often to be different, to the point of having nothing in common. Floyd Skloot has written a book that is at once both very personal and wide-ranging. Speaking of the stunning changes that come with a life altering illness, he proceeds to delve into areas as diverse as baseball (player become spectator), alternative healing techniques (he's tried a bunch), spirituality, and the changed perception of time that comes with chronic disease. Having moved, like Floyd, from the fast lane to the slow lane, to the exit ramp and off, I find his perspective to be honest, profound, and free of a sense of victimization. I highly recommend the book to women and men with CFS and other chronic maladies. Far from being the last word, it opens up the discussion of a lifestyle and worldview that is almost taboo in faster-is-better American culture.

Insightful without apology

Being a CFS sufferer, I myself had become very tired of the autobiographical books which bemoaned how hard the illness is. Mr Skloot never minimizes the illness or his discomfort yet shows how the introspection forced upon oneby long term illness as well as the search for relief can offer insight, humor and relevation. I don't know of any disabled person, caregiver or human being who couldn't experience some moments of connection and understanding in Mr. Skloot's book. His style is refreshing and honest. A truly fresh look at the human condition and it's ups & downs. A must read!

Wonderful Essays on Living with Any Chronic Illness

One of things that impressed me about this book was what it was NOT. It wasn't an attempt to gain sympathy; it wasn't about finding a last minute miracle cure; it wasn't about easy cliches about health and illness. The essays contained humor, insight, and concentration on the fact of living. The best essay I thought was Home Remedies. Usually, when I read something really good, I get an image that sums it up for me. For me, I imagine the author stooping down and grabing a clump of rich and warm earth, and telling me "this is good"--and I understand what he means.--Vidas Gvozdzius