Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
Nancer the Dancer: Myositis and Me is a work of non-fiction in the health and medical experience and personal memoir sub-genres, and was penned by author Judith Gwinn Adrian. As the title suggests, the work focuses on the condition of a person called Nancy, whose life was torn apart by the autoimmune disease dermatomyositis. Written by her sister, this memoir recollects Nancy’s battle with the disease, whom she nicknamed Reuben to personify her adversary, and explains not only the struggle with the condition but an uplifting portrayal of living life regardless of limitations. Whilst the book discusses the loss of a person’s health, it also shows us that spirit and livelihood will never be stolen from us if we choose to fight to keep them.
Author Judith Gwinn Adrian has triumphed with this heartfelt work that expresses so much more than a simple health advice book could ever give you about living with a chronic and debilitating illness. There is a beautifully nostalgic air to the narrative which gives it a literary quality, painting gorgeous backgrounds filled with exciting people that peppered Nancy’s life despite some of the terrible goings-on within her body. More than this, there is a clear and passionate expression of love and joie de vivre, something that is sure to leave other readers feeling emotional but powerfully inspired by the experience they have read through. Overall, I would highly recommend Nancer the Dancer: Myositis and Me to readers of deep memoirs and stories of triumph against adversity.