Finalist for the Pulitzer
Prize
Finalist for the
National Book Circle Critics Award
Everyone who cherishes the gift of language will cherish Diane
Ackerman's narrative masterpiece, an exquisitely written love story
and medical miracle story, one that combines science, inspiration,
wisdom, and heart.
One day Ackerman's husband, Paul West, an exceptionally gifted
wordsmith and intellectual, suffered a terrible stroke. When he
regained awareness he was afflicted with aphasia—loss of
language—and could utter only a single syllable: "mem." The
standard therapies yielded little result but frustration. Diane
soon found, however, that by harnessing their deep knowledge of
each other and her scientific understanding of language and the
brain she could guide Paul back to the world of words. This
triumphant book is both a humane and revealing addition to the
medical literature on stroke and aphasia and an exquisitely written
love story: a magnificent addition to literature, period.
"A testament to the power of creativity in language, life—and love." — Washington Post
"A gorgeously engrossing, affecting, sweetly funny, and mind-opening love story of crisis, determination, creativity, and repair." — Booklist
"This book has done what no other has for me in recent years: it has renewed my faith in the redemptive power of love, the need to give and get it unstintingly, to hold nothing back, settle for nothing less, because when flesh and being and even life fall away, love endures. This book is proof." — Abraham Verghese, New York Times Book Review
“Breathtaking . . . hollowed out my chest . . . A splendid book.” — Cleveland Plain Dealer
Diane Ackerman's most enjoyable, intimate, and heartrending work yet." — Atul Gawande
“Moving… Ms. Ackerman won me over…intensely engaging… intimate.” — Paula Span, New York Times’ Blog “The New Old Age”
“Finally, this is a story about Ackerman's love for West, a love beyond fathoming, and probably beyond words.” — Seattle Times
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© 2021 Diane Ackerman, website by Kate Karius
