Time Out Of Mind

by Jane Lapotaire

"Who are you when your brain is not you?" Jane Lapotaire is one of the lucky ones. Many people do not survive, let alone live intelligently and well again once they have suffered cerebral haemorrhage. In the long haul back to life she's learned much, some of it very hard lessons. Some friendships became casualties; family relations had to be redefined; and her work as an actress took a severe battering. But she has survived and now believes it herself when people say how lucky she is. This is a very moving, darkly funny, honest book about what happens when the "you" you've known all your life is no longer the same you.

Genres: Memoir, Autobiography, Biography, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2004

Reviews

[Aunty Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jane Lapotaire survived a cerebral hemorrhage and describes her recovery. I found her story to be pretty self obsessed and was shocked at the ease with which she 'fell out' with the friend who nursed her and had virtually given up her own life to care for Jane. It's difficult to tell if she was as unpleasant and egotistical before the brain surgery, but I suspect that she was. I got very frustrated with her attitude and almost gave up reading several times. I think I hoped she would 'see the light', but she never seemed to. She seems to assume that everyone would 'know who she is', but I didn't! She has been through a dreadful and life changing illness and I hope that time has eased her anger and frustrations with people.

[Katy B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting account of life after a brain injury that gives a lot of insight into the personality changes and general difficulties experienced by someone in recovery.

[Caroline Button · Rating 4 out of 5]

"As a work of literature, Jane Lapotaire's book is possibly the most ambitious of them all...... Brave and bracing' - Mail on Sunday. This is mostly the story of the year that followed from the day Jane suffered a cerebral haemorrhage.

I must admit, the first half of the book I found uncomfortable, I didn't like Jane, her attitudes towards all those around her, but as I read more I began to realise that perhaps it was hitting to close to home. She Really does tell you warts and all what it is like to go from a driven always on the go women, financially and physically independent in her world, to being left with neither, no money and relying on others around her for the simplest of things.

The later half of the book I found very interesting as she talked about the psychological tools that she was using to overcome her fatigue in particular.

A powerful story and I would say very enlightening to individuals and there carers who are going through a similar journey, and also for those who suffer like me from CFS.

I am not sure still whether I liked her, I wanted her to show more compassion and humility... As she recovered. I am considering reading her previous books, as I got the impression that she has never got over the abandonment of her mother.

She was wonders at the end whether she will be able to manage the stage again.... She did in Richard 11 which I saw at the Barbican....q

[Gwyn Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Lapotaire is an actress who I have admired and 'watched' for very many years, over 30 actually, liking her both on and off stage. I knew that she had had a very close brush with death in 2000 and had heard excerpts from this book read by her on the radio and it sounded good. She suffered from a near fatal brain haemorrhage and this book is so well written, showing how she struggled - not to return to 'normal' because she admits that will never be a possibility, her old life has now gone, but to come to terms with her new life. I was dubious about reading it because I have been 'enduring' a neurological condition - nothing like as severe as this - for some time but which has over the last year completely changed my life [I don't feel for the better but perhaps that will come!:] and wondered if I would cope with the writer's thoughts. I actually found it very, very helpful - especially the passages about the reactions [good and bad:] of others toward her and of her reactions toward others. And it seems odd to say, but I enjoyed it. I have sent for her earlier book, written before 'the trauma' about her childhood because I enjoyed her writing so much!

[Alexia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and moving

I loved every word of this . As a survivor of covid, who has neurological problems, this made so much sense to me . The book helped me through and gave me some understanding. I wish I could thank Jane directly for all the inspiration and honesty. So relevant, beautifully written and honest . Literally , a godsend . Thank you Jane .