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Diana's Story
In 1971 Deric Longden's wife Diana fell ill with the mysterious disorder known as ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis). She was unable to move without a wheelchair, and was in almost constant pain. Equally distressing, perhaps, was the fact that every doctor she saw was unable to diagnose what was wrong with her. Deric, devoting more and more time to looking after Diana, watched his business gradually fail, and had to neglect his developing career as a broadcaster. He became house husband, nurse and caretaker of the woman he loved. Diana's Story is told by a writer who can transform the bleakest moment with his warmth and wit. It is an extraordinarily funny account of a marriage based on love and on an exceptional sense of humour.
320 pages, Paperback
First published June 15, 1989
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 13, 2017
This book is so special to me. The author writes in a brutally honest way how he copes (or doesn't cope) with his wife who suffers from what in 1971 was an unknown illness. He manages to support her 100% as she becomes more and more ill. The medical profession haven't a clue what is wrong with her. She is desperately ill and the author loses everything in order to be by her side. He is however able to write about his emotional pain and the suffering of his wife and combine it with his own warm and so funny sense of humour. There were parts of the book where I cried and parts where I laughed out loud when he was with his Mother. It is such a hard book to review really. It is especially poignant to me as I suffer from M.E./ Fibromyalgia I am blessed though not to be as ill as the author's wife was. But I did suffer emotionally from Consultants et al who told me just as Deric's wife was told... that it "was all in my mind" It isn't the easiest read by any means... for the author and his wife both suffer so much for different reasons. Yet their mutual love, courage and shared fun shine out so fully through all the pain.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2019
Tragic and comic by turns, Diana's Story is the excellent biography by Deric Longden of his wife Diana, who fell ill with what is now known to be ME, or myalgic encephalomyelitis. In 1971 however, it was just an unknown disorder. Every doctor she saw was mystified and unable to diagnose what was wrong with her. The book was dramatised for television in 1993, entitled "Wide-eyed and Legless" and starring Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent and Thora Hird.
Diana was unable to move without a wheelchair, and was in almost constant pain. Deric devoted more and more time to looking after her, becoming her sole carer, as both his business and his developing career as a broadcaster both gradually failed. Details stay with the reader, such as when Diana insisted on painting her nails, excruciating as she found it, or wearing her fanciest negligee, because she felt sorry for the doctors who had to examine, "ill, old people" all the time. Another memory is of her beautiful and creative embroidery, which was completed by Deric under her precise instructions about which thread or silk to use, and exactly where to place the needle. Or the doctor, who, when examining her asked, "What was that sound?" and her reply, "Oh, you've just broken my finger again, that's all!" The actual description of her death is a tragi-comic masterpiece. It resulted from a moment's lapse of attention, and was absurd, avoidable and ultimately heartbreaking.
The reader gets the impression that this couple were very sympatico, and courageously able to transform even their darkest hours with love and humour. This is a truly inspirational story, by a writer who sees warmth and wit in the bleakest moments, and went on to write many more entertaining stories about his life after Diana.
Diana was unable to move without a wheelchair, and was in almost constant pain. Deric devoted more and more time to looking after her, becoming her sole carer, as both his business and his developing career as a broadcaster both gradually failed. Details stay with the reader, such as when Diana insisted on painting her nails, excruciating as she found it, or wearing her fanciest negligee, because she felt sorry for the doctors who had to examine, "ill, old people" all the time. Another memory is of her beautiful and creative embroidery, which was completed by Deric under her precise instructions about which thread or silk to use, and exactly where to place the needle. Or the doctor, who, when examining her asked, "What was that sound?" and her reply, "Oh, you've just broken my finger again, that's all!" The actual description of her death is a tragi-comic masterpiece. It resulted from a moment's lapse of attention, and was absurd, avoidable and ultimately heartbreaking.
The reader gets the impression that this couple were very sympatico, and courageously able to transform even their darkest hours with love and humour. This is a truly inspirational story, by a writer who sees warmth and wit in the bleakest moments, and went on to write many more entertaining stories about his life after Diana.
August 13, 2017
Description: The movie chronicles the struggles of Deric and Diana Longden, a happily married couple who try to cope with Diana's inexplicable degenerative disease which causes occasional paralysis of her extremities and periodic blackouts. One day, while attending a literary luncheon, Deric meets Aileen Armitage, a woman novelist with whom he strikes up a close friendship. Diana soon discover their relationship and calls Aileen, asking to meet her.
Full film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0wSt...
Full film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0wSt...
October 21, 2008
I adore this mans work - I do wish that he would write more!!
He is so funny - on a par with Bill Bryson...
His pathos and humour are brilliant...
Althoug this story is about the illness and death of his Wife it is still very funny (in a black humour type of way)
He is so funny - on a par with Bill Bryson...
His pathos and humour are brilliant...
Althoug this story is about the illness and death of his Wife it is still very funny (in a black humour type of way)
May 13, 2020
Funny, witty and wonderfully sad.
Beautifully written.
Beautifully written.
April 27, 2012
What a wonderful book. Funny, sad, honest. As someone with ME, married with a lot of humour in my relationship I recognised so many things. Some of Diana's symptoms were different to mine but equally I could read between the lines as to many things that went unsaid.
I can't add much more to what's already been said about this book. I don't know how Deric managed to make something so sad so funny but I wept at the end. It took me a day to read - I didn't want to put it down. A tiny insight into the realities of living with ME, of caring for someone with ME and the pressure, strains and conflicts it puts on a marriage - as well as the beautiful bond between two people so much in love.
I'd be happy to read it over and over again - even though so much is very close to the bone for me.
I can't add much more to what's already been said about this book. I don't know how Deric managed to make something so sad so funny but I wept at the end. It took me a day to read - I didn't want to put it down. A tiny insight into the realities of living with ME, of caring for someone with ME and the pressure, strains and conflicts it puts on a marriage - as well as the beautiful bond between two people so much in love.
I'd be happy to read it over and over again - even though so much is very close to the bone for me.
June 5, 2014
Deric Longdon's love for his wife Diana, shines through in every word he writes. A sad (but not morbid), funny memoir about living with an undiagnosed (back then) illness. Poignant and thought provoking. She was a special woman, very special as is Deric Longdon himself.
September 25, 2010
How can such a sad book be so funny? I read this years ago and still remember it fondly.
February 27, 2015
I like this book. It follows the relationship of a husband and wife. The husband, Deric, tries to keep his business afloat while simultaneously caring for his increasingly ill wife, Diana. They engage in witty banter while trying to navigate their new caretaker/invalid dynamic. All in all, Diana's Story was a good read. I like Deric Longden's work. It took me a while to settle into this book, but towards the end I couldn't put it down.
September 1, 2017
It took me quite a while to finish this book. It took me a while - not because I didn't like it - but because I did enjoy it and savoured it in small portions.
Honestly I feel really sad with the way it ended and Dianas passing but at the same time there is something magical about the way she faced her disabilities and fought courageously.
A wonderful story that is equal in laughter, sadness, courage and ultimately love.
Honestly I feel really sad with the way it ended and Dianas passing but at the same time there is something magical about the way she faced her disabilities and fought courageously.
A wonderful story that is equal in laughter, sadness, courage and ultimately love.
January 3, 2021
Very entertaining despite this being a memoir about Diana’s final year of life. Hinged by ME, a malady which left her body out of her control, made worse by the fact that the disease still not properly identified in that era, she remained sprightly mentally. The love Longden had for and his devotion towards her leaves me envious, and made me conclude God is indeed merciful. He takes but He also gives. Very few can claim such love and devotion from their partner when tried to such an extent. Her spirited nature and intellect shines through their most entertaining riposte. Longden certainly has a knack of depicting mundane everyday events in the most entertaining way. A wonderful read.
April 12, 2020
I adore this book
I read this first years ago, my Mam recommended it to me. But it was a favourite and was just as lovely now when I've re read it. Basically it's the story of a devoted family. The mother has something wrong. No one seems to know what. However as medicine has progressed it seems likely that she had ME. But that's not the story. It's a love story. It's a hole story. It's a totally bonkers laugh out loud story. It's a cat in a breadbin story...
I read this first years ago, my Mam recommended it to me. But it was a favourite and was just as lovely now when I've re read it. Basically it's the story of a devoted family. The mother has something wrong. No one seems to know what. However as medicine has progressed it seems likely that she had ME. But that's not the story. It's a love story. It's a hole story. It's a totally bonkers laugh out loud story. It's a cat in a breadbin story...
December 12, 2017
I saw the TV film based on this book at a time when I was believed to have ME (it later turned out to be MS) & what a moving film it was ...... the book was even more so, & it introduced me to a writer I very much enjoy
May 13, 2021
I read this many years ago and wanted to re-read it because I love Deric Longden books. Even though it was very sad what was happening to his wife he always injected humour into the book. Very readable and his subsequent books have been just as enjoyable.
December 31, 2017
Filled with humour and inspiration during times of great tragedy ....A very private and heartwarming read. A book of courage, pain, sadness and love.
July 31, 2020
You made me cry
Deric made me cry and I had to stop reading for a bit. I'm getting old now and wonder if I will be remembered as much as Diane was
Deric made me cry and I had to stop reading for a bit. I'm getting old now and wonder if I will be remembered as much as Diane was
April 3, 2022
A beautiful mixture of humour and heartbreak, Deric Longden's writing is witty and engaging.
November 18, 2022
One star off because I would have liked to have had a little background given on Diana & Deric and a lead up to her illness. This just sort of starts in the middle. Still, a very good book!
February 17, 2021
Wonderfully written. I have reread several times.
Sad and witty at the same time. The descriptions of all of the main characters are written with warmth and love.
It also chronicles how chronic illness affects the lives of the carers, how juggling work and other responsibilities becomes almost impossible.
Sad and witty at the same time. The descriptions of all of the main characters are written with warmth and love.
It also chronicles how chronic illness affects the lives of the carers, how juggling work and other responsibilities becomes almost impossible.
February 6, 2015
Funny and sad. I loved it.
April 15, 2011
A must read...... you will laugh and cry all on the same page. tru life great read. dont expect a happy ending!!
May 5, 2012
I love Deric Longden's subtle humour and real life anecdotes that fill his books, but this memoir shows he can handle pathos well too.
August 2, 2012
Read this book so many times and every time I find it sad, funny and very, very touching.
June 29, 2017
Really empathised with this book. Deric's story of caring and loving his wife was very moving. I also found the relationship with his mother very entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews