What Does it Feel Like to Have a Stroke?

How Do You Move Forward in a Body that Will Never be the Same?

Information was provided accurately and sensitively

Emerging from the Dark, a compilation of the observations and experiences of stroke survivors and caregivers, intertwined with the author’s thoughts, also captures the participants’ feelings through the author’s stark, unflinching illustrations.

Having stroke survivors’ own words, expressed along with the bold graphics in the book, created an opportunity for the reader to better understand the realities that the brave individuals face.

The honest, raw, and emotional words of those interviewed often made for difficult reading; but they were tempered with rejoicing at improvement, recovered skills, and sometimes just day-to-day coping.

The book title captures the theme perfectly. This book would be worthwhile reading for those involved with a stroke survivor, and possibly for the survivors themselves.

Near the end of this book, Dr. Shamala Thilarajah states, 'Terence Ang's new book is a compelling collation of stroke survivors' and caregivers' stories, intertwined with the author's thoughts, captured in a creative manner with his signature illustrations.' (p185) I agree. I admit that the book was not what I was expecting when I started reading. I expected to be a straightforward collection of stories, one after the other. It turned out to be far more effective than that. As the spouse of someone who had a 'mild' stroke a decade ago, I found the structure of the book and its contents to be quite powerful and enlightening. It gave me food for thought, even after all this time.

The author is a stroke survivor himself and his quotes and art really communicate his experiences very well. I think this book would be very helpful for people who have had a stroke or for those who love and care about them. I definitely would have found it very helpful when he had the stroke, but I also found it quite useful now, these many years later. I feel that it deepened my understanding. I would have no hesitation in recommending this book to anyone who needs/wants to learn more about living after stroke.

I received a copy of the e-book from NetGalley in exchange for a review. I thank them, the publisher, and the author. And I wish the author and all of the other people in the book well as they continues their recovery.