You Disappear; Christian Jungersen
Nan Talese - Random House - 2014
Mia narrates the story through flashbacks as well as after the
discovery of the tumor. She reveals what life for her and her son,
living with a brain damaged individual. The author has created a thought
provoking story that made me stop to think about what I might do in her
situation. At first Mia researched every article that was to be found
on brain injury, but afterward at times she seemed uncaring and perhaps
even an unreliable narrator. I was puzzled and uncertain about
this, but I couldn't fault her for the decisions she made either. Great
character development, infused with medical detail, at times
seriousness and other times humorous, You Disappear, would be a great selection for book clubs -- there is just so much to discuss.
4.5/5 stars
(eGalley/ARC)
Mia, Frederik and Niklas Halling are a family. Frederik is the
headmaster of a private school in Denmark, and Mia is a school teacher.
Their son, Niklas is 17 years old.
While on
vacation in Majorca, Spain, Frederik displays some unusual erratic
behavior. Driving their rental car around winding unfamiliar roads at
high speed, Mia screams for her husband to slow down, but he just keeps
at it. During the same vacation he eventually falls from a wall and is
hospitalized. Through a scan the doctor discovers that Frederik had a
seizure which may have caused the fall, but it appears that a benign
brain tumor is the reason for some of the crazy things that he has been
doing. One thing is certain, Mia's life and her marriage as she knew it
most likely will never be the same.
Doctors discover that the tumor is located in an
area that affects personality, sexual inhibitions and even smell. He's
quick to anger, lacks empathy and makes inappropriate comments to his
17-year old son's female friends. The doctor believes the tumor may have
been causing his weird personality/behavior issues for some time and is
recommending surgery.
If that isn't bad enough, after Frederik's surgery,
Mia learns that her husband stole lots of money (millions of crowns)
from the school where he worked. Was he cognizant of what he did or was
the tumor to blame? Unable to cope with her husband's outlandish
behavior, Mia joins a support group for others dealing with a
brain-injured family member. It is there she meets Bernard, an attorney
who may be able to help her with Frederik's legal mess, as well as
allegations that she might have been aware of the embezzlement.
Regardless of the outcome, the scandal labels the family as outcasts,
and even though the couple has separated, Niklas and Mia must deal with
the consequences of Frederik's actions.
4.5/5 stars
(eGalley/ARC)
This does sound really interesting and thought-provoking, Diane.
ReplyDeleteSounds fascinating!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I agree, it does sound interesting.
ReplyDeleteI think the main story, about his behavior and how it affects his marriage and his relationship with his son would have been enough The thing about stealing the money, the lawyer and the support group. Ugh. Sounds like too much to me.
ReplyDeleteI am intrigued by this book.
ReplyDeleteHad not heard of this but definitely sounds like a great read! Great review, Diane!
ReplyDeleteThis is new to me, but I am interested. My cousin had a benign brain tumor removed in her 20's and it caused problems but not like this! I think I'll add it to my list :) Thanks fo the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds fascinating. I have heard many stories about the bizarre behavioral changes in people who have brain tumors but I've never read a book about it. This book sounds especially well done and I like the different moods Mia goes through. Discovering your spouse has a brain tumor and has done some strange things would turn anyone's life upside down and cause some erratic actions. What a riveting story. Thank you for posting about this book, Diane.
ReplyDelete