Will & I: A Memoir

by Clay Byars

Clay Byars was recovering at home from a near-fatal car crash when he suffered a massive stroke. He was just eighteen years old. He awoke, back in the hospital, and was told he would be paralyzed from the eyes down for the rest of his life.

Determined to defy the odds, Clay quickly and miraculously began to recover his mobility but discovered just how different his life would be―a disparity embodied by his identical twin brother, Will. As Will went on to graduate from college, marry, and start a family, Clay carved out a unique existence, doing the seemingly impossible by living on his own on a remote farm in Alabama.

With haunting clarity and heartrending honesty, Will & I tells the unlikely story of Clay’s life and his coping mechanisms, including weekly singing lessons that not only teach him to use his voice but remind him of his will to exist. In this singular and striking meditation on vulnerability and vitality, we’re invited to see how Clay sees the world―and how the world sees him―as he bravely challenges himself and his abilities at every turn.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Medical

208 pages, Paperback

First published June 21, 2016

Reviews

[Wendy E · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting tale of recovery, but really lacking in emotion. The title leads you to believe there would be some mention of Will, but he is almost an aside to the story as a whole. The switching back and forth between past and present was sometimes confusing and jarring. The author alludes to emotion, but never really explores it. He tells of his former therapist becoming a house cleaner, but never says how that made him feel. He tells of his parents death, but not of the impact to him. He tells of his sister and how he accused her of being a bad sister but not why and whether it was resolved. And even when talking about Will, he mentions their connection but does not explore it more than superficially, no discussion of the divergence in their lives after the accident and stroke, and nothing from Will's POV. Disappointing.

[Colton Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read my brother's book twice now and it is amazing! Clay has a gift of writing and whether you know him or not, this book will touch your core like no other. The fact that Clay is even here to have written such an fabulous memoir is a miracle in itself and I hope everyone will read it. I could not be more proud of him and all of his accomplishments.

[Sandra Louden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will & I is a true story of a man who survived a near-fatal automobile accident and literally had to learn how to function anew. I found it compelling, though oddly-written. The prose had an other- wordly aspect to it & skipped around in a way that I felt perhaps mirrored his own physical limitations and the way he now viewed life and its experiences. Don't get me wrong; I enjoyed the book, but it was definitely a unique reading experience. I admired the author's honesty in his quest to come to terms with his horrific accident. Always lurking in the background is Clay's identical twin, "Will," for whom he has mixed emotions after the accident. It is definitely a different sort of "read" and I would be curious to know what other people have to say after finishing the book.

[Mike Scalise · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Loved* this book. As illness memoirs go, it's an anti-illness memoir, but not in any contrived way. There's a harrowing experience, but the book's more concerned at unlocking the *personality* at the heart of it. Everyone who appears is real, and fails in a human way, including Byars himself. And the doctors, nurses, etc. are rendered as good people, which is incredibly rare. And because Byars has been made to interact with the world much differently than most, it infuses his writing with such attractive and surprising rhythms, scenes, and insights--none of which are interested in dwelling easy drama. Come to this short, refreshing book for the *perspective* more than the adversity.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a twin, I generally enjoy memoirs about the twin relationship. Based on the cover and title, I thought this would be that. However, it is basically just a memoir about the author's illness with a few scattered references to his twin. Not terrible, just not what I was looking for.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so grateful to the author for using proper English in his title that I was predisposed to like the book. But it was honest and well-written, and again I was grateful for his insight into his life-altering accident.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short book, 200 pages and large print, that I breezed through pretty quickly. I typically enjoy memoirs, and this one sounded a lot more interesting than it was. Clay Byars has obviously had to overcome severe adversity in his life, and is to be commended for his struggles and triumphs. I was hoping for a little deeper insight into that, but he came across as very detached from it all. Instead he focused on his twin brother as a way to measure the things he lost. I guess it was the cold and detached writing style that threw me off. I was hoping for something a bit more personal and emotional. It also ended very abruptly with no real closure.

[Darla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this well enough. I finished in a day. I did find the title misleading. The book is about the author's recovery from a car accident and subsequent stroke, not about the relationship between he and his twin brother. The bother, who is mentioned only a handful of times throughout the book, comes off as an a$$ in my opinion.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very ambivalent about this book - seemed a rather random collection of vignettes with no theme - and the title seemed to be totally unrelated to the content - I only finished it bc it was sufficiently brief

[Jen Dary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brave, interesting, curious.

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Memoir by an identical twin who was severely injured in an automobile accident when he was in college. Originally told he would be paralyzed from the eyes down he never gave up and neither did his family and those around him. Amazing how he was able to recover - not to be perfect, but enough to be able to live on his own with his two adopted dogs. Interesting and uplifting book.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found out about this book in a library catalog for summer reading, and from the interview with its author, decided to read it. I was intrigued by the story of a twin being in an accident, and how he coped with the physical disabilities afterwards, in comparison to his brother.
Truly it was amazing that he was able to keep going, and figure out ways to surmount the obstacles he came across. However, I found his brother to be cold-unsympathetic-not even human in his reaction to his brother's issues. Although he explains this away as how they coped, it did turn me off towards caring about the brother at all. The way he tells everything in the story is just straight up, unemotional; even his parents' deaths. I feel it could have been a lot better if he had added some feeling into this.

[Jeannette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to agree with another GR reader who found the title misleading. This book is not about twinship or how Clay's accident and stroke affected his relationship with his brother. It's about Clay dealing with the accident and recovery. Important stuff, yes, but given the title I thought it would delve more deeply into what it feels like to watch your identical twin go on to lead the life that was taken from you. Will travels the world, lands a good job, marries a great woman (his twin's ex-girlfriend, no less), has kids and lives the American dream. Clay, OTOH, struggles to regain some semblance of a normal life. He lives alone in the country with his 2 dogs. Man, what does that feel like?! I don't know. Clay never tells us.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was difficult to read this book because I have known Clay and Will for years and went to Sewanee with them, but I am very glad I did read it. I am ashamed that I am part of the group Clay describes that avoids eye contact with him and wish that I had been a better friend to him and to Will, had been a better human. His writing is direct, just like his personality. I don't know if those who don't know him or Sewanee or aren't from Birmingham will like this book as much as I did, but I would highly recommend it to Sewanee and Birmingham folk. Chapter 28 was transcendent.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This brief memoir provides fascinating insight to Byars' unique and nearly tragic series of unfortunate events and the peculiar reality of suddenly experiencing life so very differently than his identical twin. The author's life after the unthinkable exemplifies great strength of will, spirit, and mind, yet this memoir is honest about his struggles and sometimes wry in remembrance. His ability to resurrect an independent life, to strengthen body and voice, to find connection and acknowledge truth might offer courage and strength for all facing challenge or loss.

[Rene Sears · Rating 5 out of 5]

This such a clearly-written and unsentimental look at Byars' recovery from a car wreck and then a stroke following a surgery to correct nerve damage after the accident. Interspersed throughout are interludes with Byars' vocal coach, as his voice gets stronger with effort over time. A less unflinching author might have been tempted to gloss over the more difficult parts of his story, a more melodramatic one to wallow in them, but Byars tells his story honestly and with determination.

[Judi Middleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

I felt this book could have been better. It is an interesting memoir. However, the author often spoke about looking "different" than normal, but through the book there was never a real explanation of how so. Also, the story ended very abruptly, without the reader expecting this. A better "wrap-up" would have been appreciated.

[Marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Young Clay Byars suffered a terrible car crash and then a stroke. He lost the ability to control his body, and shares how he has lived with this. As a twin, the book is poignant in the way it reflects one man's disability against the other's ability. The author is honest and shares his experience in a way that shows his strong character and determination.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I rarely say this, but I found this memoir too short to adequately tell the author's story about being an identical twin and recovering his life after a surgery left him paralyzed from the eyes down at the age of 18. A music teacher helped him recover his voice. From my perspective that could have been a much larger part of the book.

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review TK.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little close to home after my own medical nightmare and emergency hospitalization, but excellent all the same.

[Jamie Hornych · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clay is no doubt a strong individual, but as for the book, "It wasn't a story so much as an account."

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Whitney Adams Mathes · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very quick and easy read about a young man who suffers a stroke following a terrible car accident. You follow him through his recovery after a TBI.

[Aimee G · Rating 3 out of 5]

The support Clay received was tremendous. Clay's willingness to improve his situation and not give up are beyond admirable.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really 3 and a half stars. I enjoyed Mr. Byars writing style.

[Mary Kenyon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have liked to see more exploration into the twin aspect, more introspection.