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Mirror Touch: Notes from a Doctor Who Can Feel Your Pain – A Harvard Neurologist's Memoir of Superhuman Empathy
Challenging our understanding of what it means to be human, Joel Salinas, a Harvard-trained researcher and neurologist at Massachusetts General, shares his experiences with mirror-touch synesthesia, a rare and only recently identified neurological trait that causes him to feel the emotional and physical experiences of other people. Performing a spinal tap, he feels the needle slowly enter his lower back. If a disoriented patient flies into a confused rage, Salinas slips into a similarly agitated physical state, and when a patient dies, he experiences an involuntary ruin—his body starts to feel vacant and lifeless, like a limp balloon.
Susceptible to the pain and discomfort of his patients, most of whom suffer from a host of disorders and extreme injuries, Salinas uses his trait to treat their symptoms, almost as if they were his own. At the same time, in his personal life, his mirror touch blurs the boundaries between himself and those close to him until he ends up inextricably entangled, no longer able to differentiate where he ends and someone else begins.
Salinas refers to his condition as a kind of compulsory mindfulness, a heightened empathic ability that offers him invaluable clues about how to see and live the world through other people’s perspectives. This heightened sense of awareness is at the center of Mirror Touch. Through his experiences, both in his neurological practice and his personal life, Salinas offers readers insights about mirror-touch synesthesia and how the brain, in its endless wonder, can sometimes perform in a nearly superhuman, extrasensory way. In the process, Salinas reveals the full power and potential of his trait, as well as its thorny complications and often debilitating limitations.
Beautifully written with intelligence and compassion and anchored by the latest developments in neurology, psychology and psychiatry, Mirror Touch is an enthralling and wholly original investigation into the unexplored corners of the brain, where the foundation of human experience and relationships take root—everything it means to think, to feel, and to be.
315 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 18, 2017
138 people are currently reading
1198 people want to read
About the author
Joel Salinas
9 books30 followersJoel Salinas was born in Miami, Florida, in 1983. After studying the intersection of biology and sociology at Cornell University, he completed his medical degree at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine followed by neurology residency at the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He subsequently completed a combined research and clinical fellowship in Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Dr. Salinas lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and is an Instructor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. He chronicles his experiences as a doctor living with synesthesia in his new book, "Mirror Touch: Notes from a Doctor Who Can Feel Your Pain" (coming April 18th from HarperOne, an imprint of HarperCollins).
Dr. Salinas lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and is an Instructor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. He chronicles his experiences as a doctor living with synesthesia in his new book, "Mirror Touch: Notes from a Doctor Who Can Feel Your Pain" (coming April 18th from HarperOne, an imprint of HarperCollins).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
June 6, 2018
Very interesting! The author has several types of synesthesia, including the "mirror touch" that causes him to physically feel all kinds of sensations that other people are feeling. The title and cover text are a bit deceptive; they led me to think that the book would be about his mirror touch and how it affects his medical practice. It does include some of that, but mostly it's the story of his life to date, with emphasis on all the synasthesias he has, the efforts he's made to understand and live with them, and the insights he's had along the way.
When the author looks at letters and numbers, he also sees the colors that his brain associates with them. When he sees a person, he also sees that person's colors (and those colors' associated numbers). Colors, numbers, and various inanimate objects are associated with personality traits. He was an odd child, with very different perceptions than other kids, but he had no idea that other people saw things differently. In fact, he was deep into medical school before he realized that the mirror touch was unusual.
At the beginning of the book, I wondered it he was exaggerating. It seems not. He visited several researchers, including V. S. Ramachandran (I love his books about the brain!), and was put through various tests. He is an outlier, so far out on the end of the bell curve that he doesn't fit their usual models.
He's very curious--is his synesthesia a medical condition? A disadvantage, or an odd superpower? When he feels something in his body as a result of seeing another person (a pose, pain, movement), is he feeling what they are feeling or is he feeling his imaginary version of what they might be feeling? His investigations of these and related questions come up with some very interesting lines of thinking - not outright answers, but looks at current and future research on how the brain works.
And the book is about more that all that too. The author had a hard time developing social skills, and he worked hard at understanding social cues and giving appropriate responses. I can relate to that. There's a lot about how he explores his questions by interacting with other people - researchers, mentors, patients (he never neglects to consider patients his equal as people), family, and other synesthetes. It's well written, though there's a fair amount of awkward phrasing that the editors should have taken care of. He is a positive person, and his efforts at empathy and helping people are endearing and apparently successful. He's very young, and I hope he continues writing.
When the author looks at letters and numbers, he also sees the colors that his brain associates with them. When he sees a person, he also sees that person's colors (and those colors' associated numbers). Colors, numbers, and various inanimate objects are associated with personality traits. He was an odd child, with very different perceptions than other kids, but he had no idea that other people saw things differently. In fact, he was deep into medical school before he realized that the mirror touch was unusual.
At the beginning of the book, I wondered it he was exaggerating. It seems not. He visited several researchers, including V. S. Ramachandran (I love his books about the brain!), and was put through various tests. He is an outlier, so far out on the end of the bell curve that he doesn't fit their usual models.
He's very curious--is his synesthesia a medical condition? A disadvantage, or an odd superpower? When he feels something in his body as a result of seeing another person (a pose, pain, movement), is he feeling what they are feeling or is he feeling his imaginary version of what they might be feeling? His investigations of these and related questions come up with some very interesting lines of thinking - not outright answers, but looks at current and future research on how the brain works.
And the book is about more that all that too. The author had a hard time developing social skills, and he worked hard at understanding social cues and giving appropriate responses. I can relate to that. There's a lot about how he explores his questions by interacting with other people - researchers, mentors, patients (he never neglects to consider patients his equal as people), family, and other synesthetes. It's well written, though there's a fair amount of awkward phrasing that the editors should have taken care of. He is a positive person, and his efforts at empathy and helping people are endearing and apparently successful. He's very young, and I hope he continues writing.
July 12, 2018
Огледално докосване – когато се губиш в болката на другия: http://knigolandia.info/book-review/o...
Точно преди година излезе един много важна за мен книга – мемоарът “И дъхът стана въздух” на Пол Каланити. За моя огромна изненада книгата стана една от най-успешните в моята редакция за годината, читателите я оцениха и обикнаха точно така, както и аз. Затова и с радост взех правата за “Огледално докосване” на Джоел Салинас – лекар, който наистина умее да усеща болката на пациентите чрез особена форма на синестезия. Това стига и до крайности - когато някой пациент умре, той преживява неволната си смърт – чувства как тялото му се изпразва и става безжизнено.
В своя високохудожествен и много задълбочен мемоар Салинас разказва не само своя нелек живот, в който е трябвало да се бори с препятствия, абсурдни за нас, с “нормалните” мозъци, но и за много други хора с различни видове синестезия, които виждат света по начин, който дори не можем да си представим. Много велики творци са били синестети и на тях дължим изумителни произведения на изкуството, но тук се говори за не по-малко важното умение да четеш умовете и душите на хората, да изпитваш емпатия към тях, да се потапяш в болката им… и в крайна сметка да им помагаш да върнат контрола върху живота си – точно това, за което говори и Каланити с такава страст в своята книга.
CIELA Books
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/o...
Точно преди година излезе един много важна за мен книга – мемоарът “И дъхът стана въздух” на Пол Каланити. За моя огромна изненада книгата стана една от най-успешните в моята редакция за годината, читателите я оцениха и обикнаха точно така, както и аз. Затова и с радост взех правата за “Огледално докосване” на Джоел Салинас – лекар, който наистина умее да усеща болката на пациентите чрез особена форма на синестезия. Това стига и до крайности - когато някой пациент умре, той преживява неволната си смърт – чувства как тялото му се изпразва и става безжизнено.
В своя високохудожествен и много задълбочен мемоар Салинас разказва не само своя нелек живот, в който е трябвало да се бори с препятствия, абсурдни за нас, с “нормалните” мозъци, но и за много други хора с различни видове синестезия, които виждат света по начин, който дори не можем да си представим. Много велики творци са били синестети и на тях дължим изумителни произведения на изкуството, но тук се говори за не по-малко важното умение да четеш умовете и душите на хората, да изпитваш емпатия към тях, да се потапяш в болката им… и в крайна сметка да им помагаш да върнат контрола върху живота си – точно това, за което говори и Каланити с такава страст в своята книга.
CIELA Books
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/o...
January 15, 2017
I skimmed more than read this book. I thought it would be the story of a Dr who could feel the physical pain of his patients, and it is. But he also writes that he physically feels everything around him, patient or not. The lady in the elevator, the taxi driver etc. Less a true medical memoir but a personal journey of spiritually. Might be for some, just not for me.
I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
March 18, 2023
Eмпатията и синестезията са доста интересни материи за изследване и разбиране, но начинът, по който е написана книгата не ми допадна. Губи се фокусът на места с излишни обяснения и отклонения, които честно казано ме натоварваха.
"Емпатията изисква чувство или разбиране. Състраданието изисква мотивацията да преживееш страдание. Добротата изисква действие."
"Емпатията изисква чувство или разбиране. Състраданието изисква мотивацията да преживееш страдание. Добротата изисква действие."
March 6, 2021
This book fuckin sucked I have no idea where the glowing reviews came from, it gets a extra star because for some reason it has a really good chapter on strokes near the end that's unrelated to the rest of the book
March 16, 2019
This highly engaging book is about the author’s rare condition of mirror touch synesthesia. That in itself yields a fascinating story. But Salinas ventures beyond a description of his unusual perceptual experiences. His book is about self-acceptance.
Where is the boundary between one person’s feelings and those of another? We generally consider empathy to be a laudable quality. The ability to to put oneself in the place of another, see another’s point of view, listen and understand. But for Dr. Salinas, this ability is often exaggerated to the point that he experiences the physical sensations of his fellow human beings. He describes his struggles to rein himself in from the very edge of that emotional boundary, for his own well-being but also to be effective as a physician.
Dr. Salinas openly shares this personal journey with the reader. Over the course of his training and career, he describes not only his treatment of patients with brain anomalies, but shows us how he learned from them. He is drawn to understand his patients’ reality, and their challenges in coping with a distorted sense of being.
The author’s compassion (for himself and others) is clear. And herein lies his overriding message to the reader. We humans vary greatly in our neurological make-up and functioning. While we need not yield to weaknesses, we can learn to accept our idiosyncrasies, e.g., shyness, anxiety, phobias, and regard them not as pathological or sources of shame. We need to find our “tribe” and share our story with others.
I highly recommend this book.
Where is the boundary between one person’s feelings and those of another? We generally consider empathy to be a laudable quality. The ability to to put oneself in the place of another, see another’s point of view, listen and understand. But for Dr. Salinas, this ability is often exaggerated to the point that he experiences the physical sensations of his fellow human beings. He describes his struggles to rein himself in from the very edge of that emotional boundary, for his own well-being but also to be effective as a physician.
Dr. Salinas openly shares this personal journey with the reader. Over the course of his training and career, he describes not only his treatment of patients with brain anomalies, but shows us how he learned from them. He is drawn to understand his patients’ reality, and their challenges in coping with a distorted sense of being.
The author’s compassion (for himself and others) is clear. And herein lies his overriding message to the reader. We humans vary greatly in our neurological make-up and functioning. While we need not yield to weaknesses, we can learn to accept our idiosyncrasies, e.g., shyness, anxiety, phobias, and regard them not as pathological or sources of shame. We need to find our “tribe” and share our story with others.
I highly recommend this book.
November 14, 2021
Пъстър свят. Интересно нещо са човешките съдби. Толкова са различни и същевременно поставени винаги във враждебна среда и борейки се по пътя към израстването. Д-р Джоел Салинас има интригуващ и в никакъв случай лек живот. Ежедневието му е изпълнено с борби от всякакъв характер. Изправяйки се очи в очи с пациентите си и разказвайки ни за тях, успява в голяма степен да ни представи чувствата, които изпитва и проблемите, които го терзаят. Вълнуващото приключение в ума и ежедневието на д-р Салинас е за всеки, който е склонен да преглътне множество тежки моменти и разчупени морални устои.
October 31, 2022
It's difficult to explain everything I got out of this book. It's beautifully written and highly informative, but at the same time some of it might go over a reader's head because there is a lot of medical writing in it as well. Since the author is a doctor this should not be a surprise, but trying to slog through the medical terminology and jargon slowed my reading a bit. That being said, I found this book crucial to my interest in synesthesia, while also learning about autism, stroke patients and schizophrenia. I can't imagine what it must be like to experience mirror touch synesthesia as Dr. Salinas does, and his stories are absolutely fascinating (while a bit horrifying if I'm being honest).
Some of my favorite lines from the book:
"Running my hands across the ridges of his palms conjured the image of dry river rocks under a soothing summer sun."
"Seeing the dirt-caked eyes of a small emaciated child in a tiny hut next to an unpaved road, my eyes felt the rolling of pebbles and dust behind my eyelids, scraping along with every blink."
"His baritone voice had the flavor and consistency of smooth, room-temperature Nutella."
"It was a soft yellow sound, small and fragile. It may as well have dropped out of his mouth like a dead canary."
Some of my favorite lines from the book:
"Running my hands across the ridges of his palms conjured the image of dry river rocks under a soothing summer sun."
"Seeing the dirt-caked eyes of a small emaciated child in a tiny hut next to an unpaved road, my eyes felt the rolling of pebbles and dust behind my eyelids, scraping along with every blink."
"His baritone voice had the flavor and consistency of smooth, room-temperature Nutella."
"It was a soft yellow sound, small and fragile. It may as well have dropped out of his mouth like a dead canary."
Read
September 9, 2018Д-р Джоел Салинас - "Огледално докосване", изд. "Сиела" 2018 г. , прев. Петър Тушков
Снощи дочетох " Огледлно докосване".
Чакаше реда от доста време. Интересът ми към синестезията се зароди преди няколко години, случайно, от една книга, която всъщност минаваше за детска. После така и не прочетох нищо сериозно по въпроса, докато не ми попадна "Творци на памет" на Джефри Мур. Тя ме впечатли много и оттогава ми се искаше да прочета още нещо по въпроса. Сега, с "Огледално докосване",получих тази възможност.
Четох я доста дълго и бавно и на моменти се "губех" в медицинския език. Но въпреки това мога да кажа, че тя е една от най-интригуващите книги, които прочетох в последно време. И ако първоначалният ми мотив да я прочета беше да разбера какво точно означава "огледално докосване" и какви са преживяванията на човек, който го притежава, то в един момент открих, че още по-интересни са ми срещите на д-р Салинас с другите хора - не само с такива, притежаващи подобна на неговата способност, а и общуването му с пациенти. Мисля, че за много дълго ще запомня историите на Тери и Роузи - честно казано, ако някой ме попита за вдъхновяващи истории, бих посочила именно тях, без да се колебая и за секунда.
Дали научих нещо повече за синестезията като преживяване /струва ми се, че ако я нарека "състояние", ще призная, че тя е нещо "нередно", а аз не смятам така.? Определено да - всъщност оказа се, че това, което съм знаела досега, не може да се нарече дори "основно познание". Честно казано, дори смятах,, че да виждаш буквите в цвят или да "виждаш" звуци, сигурно е невероятно преживяване. Но не съм си давала сметка за другата страна на нещата - че ако години наред си изживявал нещата по този начин и си смятал, че с всички е така, шокът, когато осъзнаеш, че грешиш, че всъщност си "различен", е огромен. И тогава идва най-трудната част - и тя не да накараш другите да те приемат, а да се приемеш ти самият. Да не съдиш сам себе си, да не се заклеймяваш, да не си "лепиш етикети". А просто да можеш да кажеш: да, това съм аз, и съм такъв.
"Огледално докосване" е една много откровена, много искрена книга. Да, не е от типа книги, които бихте прочели "за разпускане", но е един чудесен мемоар, който има какво да разкаже. И да остави следи.
Снощи дочетох " Огледлно докосване".
Чакаше реда от доста време. Интересът ми към синестезията се зароди преди няколко години, случайно, от една книга, която всъщност минаваше за детска. После така и не прочетох нищо сериозно по въпроса, докато не ми попадна "Творци на памет" на Джефри Мур. Тя ме впечатли много и оттогава ми се искаше да прочета още нещо по въпроса. Сега, с "Огледално докосване",получих тази възможност.
Четох я доста дълго и бавно и на моменти се "губех" в медицинския език. Но въпреки това мога да кажа, че тя е една от най-интригуващите книги, които прочетох в последно време. И ако първоначалният ми мотив да я прочета беше да разбера какво точно означава "огледално докосване" и какви са преживяванията на човек, който го притежава, то в един момент открих, че още по-интересни са ми срещите на д-р Салинас с другите хора - не само с такива, притежаващи подобна на неговата способност, а и общуването му с пациенти. Мисля, че за много дълго ще запомня историите на Тери и Роузи - честно казано, ако някой ме попита за вдъхновяващи истории, бих посочила именно тях, без да се колебая и за секунда.
Дали научих нещо повече за синестезията като преживяване /струва ми се, че ако я нарека "състояние", ще призная, че тя е нещо "нередно", а аз не смятам така.? Определено да - всъщност оказа се, че това, което съм знаела досега, не може да се нарече дори "основно познание". Честно казано, дори смятах,, че да виждаш буквите в цвят или да "виждаш" звуци, сигурно е невероятно преживяване. Но не съм си давала сметка за другата страна на нещата - че ако години наред си изживявал нещата по този начин и си смятал, че с всички е така, шокът, когато осъзнаеш, че грешиш, че всъщност си "различен", е огромен. И тогава идва най-трудната част - и тя не да накараш другите да те приемат, а да се приемеш ти самият. Да не съдиш сам себе си, да не се заклеймяваш, да не си "лепиш етикети". А просто да можеш да кажеш: да, това съм аз, и съм такъв.
"Огледално докосване" е една много откровена, много искрена книга. Да, не е от типа книги, които бихте прочели "за разпускане", но е един чудесен мемоар, който има какво да разкаже. И да остави следи.
September 27, 2020
Бих определила книгата като научно-популярен роман, предаващ емоциите и събитията от живота на автора. Тази книга е пълна с интересни научни теми, свързани основно с медицината и психоанализата. Точно затова я оценявам толкова високо. Обожавам четива пълни с нови знания, особено разказани по завладяващ начин. Предавайки усещанията си за света през погледа на синестет, автора обрисува много цветна и различна картина от това, което попринцип изживяваме. Докато описва какво е преживял, авторът ни предава толкова точно емоциите си, че няма как да не включиш емпатията си и да усещаш всичко заедно с него. Като любим цитат ще отбележа: "А малко след емпатията се намира състраданието, подтикът за действие. А да предприемеш действие с намерението да спасиш от страдание другия, означава доброта. Емпатията изисква чувство или разбиране. Състраданието изисква мотивацията да преживееш страдание. Добротата изисква действие."
January 16, 2020
I truly enjoyed this book. I will advise that an interest in science or medical related things may be helpful to a reader. Dr. Salinas takes us through his life with mirror touch synesthesia and all that it entails. This book really focuses on him finding himself and accepting his reality. Because of this, we are not always reading about his experiences, but others who affected his life, and ultimately changed it. This book is both educational and captivating. It emphasizes the grace and beauty humans hold.
August 2, 2021
I did saw a lot of good review for this but but but unfortunately I couldn’t read them fully. It was too intense for me.
July 5, 2017
Do you believe in super powers? Well we just might! Dr. Joel Salinas has a rare condition called Synesthesia, a condition where the cross wiring in your brain allows your senses to overlap. The cross wiring in your brain then allows you to feel what others around you feel. We had the chance to speak with Dr. Salinas on our weekly radio show Radio Health Journal. If you would like to hear his story, please check out this link! https://radiohealthjournal.wordpress....
August 7, 2017
Weekend read! This was a really interesting book - the author has mirror-touch synesthesia which means he empathizes with people to the extreme, even feeling their physical pain. Oh, and he's a doctor, treating people every day. Would highly recommend this book if only for a quick peek into someone else's reality.
May 10, 2018
There was too much medical terminology for me. As someone who is not in the medical field, I did not really know what he was talking about & I wasn't about to look up all the terms. I expected this to me more of a memoir, and though he did talk about himself some, a lot of it was more in the style of teaching.
September 3, 2018
The first pages I read very much incredulous , but as I kept on, I found myself feeling compassion towards this person who can be so overwhelmed with different emotions and feelings.I also enjoyed how he related different colors and tones to some people he met along . Overall, it was so very interesting learning of this condition-trait.
March 12, 2021
I think maybe the author has autism and doesn't recognize it. The mirror touch stuff is cool but is overshadowed IMO by his autism.
March 19, 2020
Mirror Touch by Dr. Joel Salinas is an autobiography explaining the obstacles he faced throughout his lifetime with the unusual condition called synesthesia. Born to a Catholic Hispanic family in southern Florida, Joel Salinas realized that he was not like his fellow family members and classmates. He would experience abnormal physical sensations as a reaction to certain visuals and would associate numbers, letters, and even objects with colors. After graduating high school, he attended Cornell University for undergraduate school where he met his first girlfriend and close companion, Cristina. He nursed his love for biological sciences by moving onto medical school at the University of Miami and completing his residency at Harvard Medical School-Massachusetts General Hospital, taking several pit-stops along the way to participate in different neurology-focused research programs. Throughout his journey in high school, college, medical school, and residency, he struggled with finding his purpose, balancing work with his condition where he experienced pain when seeing others in pain, and coming out as gay to his homophobic parents. His patients helped him to realize that with the help of close relationships and empathy, he could find a better sense of purpose.
Joel Salinas described the lives of his patients in great depth and did a beautiful job connecting important life lessons to the stories of his patients and the obstacles they faced. He used vivid imagery to recall many of his different patient interactions and what lessons every one of those patient experiences had taught him. With his synesthesia, he could accurately describe what many of his patients were feeling. Salinas said, “I felt minimal movement from my midabdomen down, but the tension of his trembling shoulders carried twice its share of anger” (131). This shows how vivid imagery could give readers a better idea of what Joel and his patients endured.
Not only did he describe the important life lessons he learned from his patients, he also thoroughly analyzed his own life and the struggles he faced, often outside the realms of medicine, and therefore did a fantastic job relating to readers and their own struggles. He taught readers little pieces of his own advice and what almost hitting rock bottom did for his confidence inside the workplace and out.
His fluent storytelling was accompanied with multiple font effects, repeated letters and exclamation points to dramatize his patients’ complications and show how strongly they often reacted to traumatizing or painful events. For example, he described one of his patients when he was on his obstetrics/gynecology rotation as hissing and wailing. She screamed, “Waiiiiii!” (Salinas 66). He also did a great job of repeating words and placing them in all caps to show extreme intensity like, on the oncology ward, he portrayed a nurse as shouting, “DNR/DNI! STOP!” (Salinas 146). Clearly, the way he crafted particular words, letters, and sentences added much more tension and drama to the story.
There were very few moments in this autobiography that I would characterize as negative. The thing that stood out to me most was that Salinas did lots of jumping around between different story lines which could often get confusing or tiring. For example, he talked about his new boyfriend, Jordan, and the challenges he was having with him while quickly switching to a story about one of his autistic patients, with little transitioning (Salinas 212). Salinas could’ve done a better job connecting story lines together, like those two, instead of abruptly switching to a different scenario or plot line. Additionally, the author could have done a more thorough job of explaining some of the procedures to readers. For instance, he had explained that a patient was hemorrhaging, so he said that he and the attending surgeon had performed an emergent exploratory laparotomy, but Salinas gave little context or definition as to what the procedure was used for (Salinas 73). Not fully explaining procedures and jumping around to different story lines could get frustrating to some, but there wasn’t an overwhelming amount of this happening throughout the autobiography.
I would give this book four stars because it was very well-written with few errors. I would recommend this book to other students who are fascinated by medicine and would love to understand and read more about the life of a doctor. Not only is it for those interested in medicine, this book was also intended for anyone who struggles to find a sense of purpose in their daily life and would like more advice on how to find their identity.
Joel Salinas described the lives of his patients in great depth and did a beautiful job connecting important life lessons to the stories of his patients and the obstacles they faced. He used vivid imagery to recall many of his different patient interactions and what lessons every one of those patient experiences had taught him. With his synesthesia, he could accurately describe what many of his patients were feeling. Salinas said, “I felt minimal movement from my midabdomen down, but the tension of his trembling shoulders carried twice its share of anger” (131). This shows how vivid imagery could give readers a better idea of what Joel and his patients endured.
Not only did he describe the important life lessons he learned from his patients, he also thoroughly analyzed his own life and the struggles he faced, often outside the realms of medicine, and therefore did a fantastic job relating to readers and their own struggles. He taught readers little pieces of his own advice and what almost hitting rock bottom did for his confidence inside the workplace and out.
His fluent storytelling was accompanied with multiple font effects, repeated letters and exclamation points to dramatize his patients’ complications and show how strongly they often reacted to traumatizing or painful events. For example, he described one of his patients when he was on his obstetrics/gynecology rotation as hissing and wailing. She screamed, “Waiiiiii!” (Salinas 66). He also did a great job of repeating words and placing them in all caps to show extreme intensity like, on the oncology ward, he portrayed a nurse as shouting, “DNR/DNI! STOP!” (Salinas 146). Clearly, the way he crafted particular words, letters, and sentences added much more tension and drama to the story.
There were very few moments in this autobiography that I would characterize as negative. The thing that stood out to me most was that Salinas did lots of jumping around between different story lines which could often get confusing or tiring. For example, he talked about his new boyfriend, Jordan, and the challenges he was having with him while quickly switching to a story about one of his autistic patients, with little transitioning (Salinas 212). Salinas could’ve done a better job connecting story lines together, like those two, instead of abruptly switching to a different scenario or plot line. Additionally, the author could have done a more thorough job of explaining some of the procedures to readers. For instance, he had explained that a patient was hemorrhaging, so he said that he and the attending surgeon had performed an emergent exploratory laparotomy, but Salinas gave little context or definition as to what the procedure was used for (Salinas 73). Not fully explaining procedures and jumping around to different story lines could get frustrating to some, but there wasn’t an overwhelming amount of this happening throughout the autobiography.
I would give this book four stars because it was very well-written with few errors. I would recommend this book to other students who are fascinated by medicine and would love to understand and read more about the life of a doctor. Not only is it for those interested in medicine, this book was also intended for anyone who struggles to find a sense of purpose in their daily life and would like more advice on how to find their identity.
June 30, 2018
While this could definitely use another round with an editor (there are several errors, especially early on, which range from the incorrect form of a word being used to missing spaces), it is also a very good book, with a very good message about resilience, as well as something the world needs a lot more of these days... Empathy.
I'm actually torn between 3 and 4 stars. The structure in this is odd. The timeline bounces, is often non-linear, but mostly is rather ambiguous. The author, likely due to his extreme form of mirror touch synesthesia (yes, for those wondering, this is a real thing, and yes, it can affect empathy) often misplaces himself in the narrative. Like in life, he wanders into others pains and struggles, allowing his story to fall to the side. Granted, he always comes back to it, and didn't leave too much unanswered.
One issue I do have here... The author is a doctor, and does a good job of writing for the layperson. However, he routinely lists a number of syndromes/conditions (peaking my interest for more details) only to leave them unexplained. A few details would have gone a long way here. Thankfully, the main subjects (the various synesthesias and other neurodiversities) were explored much better.
Personally, I am fascinated with these subjects, and especially with synesthesia, so the pros outweighed the cons for me. Thus, 4 stars instead of 3.
If you can overlook the errors, and are interested in the subjects, you'll likely enjoy this book.
I'm actually torn between 3 and 4 stars. The structure in this is odd. The timeline bounces, is often non-linear, but mostly is rather ambiguous. The author, likely due to his extreme form of mirror touch synesthesia (yes, for those wondering, this is a real thing, and yes, it can affect empathy) often misplaces himself in the narrative. Like in life, he wanders into others pains and struggles, allowing his story to fall to the side. Granted, he always comes back to it, and didn't leave too much unanswered.
One issue I do have here... The author is a doctor, and does a good job of writing for the layperson. However, he routinely lists a number of syndromes/conditions (peaking my interest for more details) only to leave them unexplained. A few details would have gone a long way here. Thankfully, the main subjects (the various synesthesias and other neurodiversities) were explored much better.
Personally, I am fascinated with these subjects, and especially with synesthesia, so the pros outweighed the cons for me. Thus, 4 stars instead of 3.
If you can overlook the errors, and are interested in the subjects, you'll likely enjoy this book.
November 22, 2018
"Jordan was predominantly a reddish-orange 5 with some black 9, highlights of red 2 and, off in the background, a mix of turquoise 7s."
Out of context, one might guess this is a sentence from a surrealist novel or poem, or perhaps a science-fiction story. But this is non-fiction.
If this book wasn't written by a medical doctor, I would think the author is simply making it all up. Early on we are given robust and incredible descriptions of the author's interior mental life, and it is as interesting as it is hard to relate to. Paradoxically, because Dr. Salinas has a greater capacity for relating to others than is normal, he is isolated. And this memoir represents so many of the interesting ways Dr. Salinas reaches out to the world, to understand himself and others. At the same time, it is a detailed first-person report of a wild psychological phenomena.
I believe the author has done himself, and others who either have, or are interested in mirror-touch synesthesia, a great service.
An easy five stars.
Out of context, one might guess this is a sentence from a surrealist novel or poem, or perhaps a science-fiction story. But this is non-fiction.
If this book wasn't written by a medical doctor, I would think the author is simply making it all up. Early on we are given robust and incredible descriptions of the author's interior mental life, and it is as interesting as it is hard to relate to. Paradoxically, because Dr. Salinas has a greater capacity for relating to others than is normal, he is isolated. And this memoir represents so many of the interesting ways Dr. Salinas reaches out to the world, to understand himself and others. At the same time, it is a detailed first-person report of a wild psychological phenomena.
I believe the author has done himself, and others who either have, or are interested in mirror-touch synesthesia, a great service.
An easy five stars.
February 21, 2020
I am so grateful to Joel for trusting his capacity to tell his own story. From personal to professional retellings, this book is driven by Joel's desire to understand his and his patients' internal differences (social, neurologic, cultural, mental) and the difficult yet powerful spiraling journey to self-acceptance that happens along the way.
As a highly sensitive person, I've needed to learn (and consistently practice!) how to find and keep my own center rather than merging/blending in with others' energies. Reading about Joel's relationships with Cristina and Jordan mirrored for me something that I've struggled with greatly in my primary relationships. While our experiences have differences, I found it unexpectedly healing to specifically read these stories.
As a highly sensitive person, I've needed to learn (and consistently practice!) how to find and keep my own center rather than merging/blending in with others' energies. Reading about Joel's relationships with Cristina and Jordan mirrored for me something that I've struggled with greatly in my primary relationships. While our experiences have differences, I found it unexpectedly healing to specifically read these stories.
June 13, 2020
I'm not going to finish this book. It has become too tedious. The premise was very cool. It's the true story of a doctor that feels the pain of others. I did a chapter a night for four nights, but I can't go on. It's one thing to have examples, but one after another after another. Oy! I get it. There is some science" sprinkled but this just doesn't meet my needs for storytelling. Still, who wouldn't want a doctor that could feel your pain? He's probably a great doc.
October 30, 2025
I had never heard of this condition called mirror touch. It's like empathy, but people who have it can actually feel the pain other people are having. In this book, the author is also a doctor, which makes it more complicated. I enjoyed this book when he is talking about his personal life, but at times he goes off on a more text-bookish rant, which was a little boring. There is some medical jargon that isn't really explained so if you are not a medical person this could be a little confusing.
July 23, 2018
Откровена история описваща живота такъв, какъвто е -изпълнен с лични драми и най-вече включваща подробна информация относно синестезия от вида огледално докосване, рядка и едва наскоро идентифицирана неврологична характеристика, благодарение на която авторът чувства емоционалните и физическите преживявания на другите хора.
May 22, 2019
As a synesthete , I loved this book and the case histories. I even found out more about features of my own synesthesia that I didn't recognize everyone didn't have. What knocked it out of a 5 stars rating were his annoying tangents, and at times strange use of words. As a medical person the science was exciting, though.
May 23, 2019
A lot of insights and anecdotes not only of the author himself but also of people he came across throughout his journey of self-discovery. These anecdotes were vividly described even those of other people’s; clearly explaining the capabilities of his condition as well. I enjoyed all these little stories about others but I would rate higher if more of mirror-touch synaesthesia is talked about.
June 27, 2020
Way more inner dialogue, soul searching, and intensely detailed information about synesthetes than I ever wanted to know. Could have been condensed into half as many pages and been a reasonably pleasant read. Mind you, I was reading this for pleasure, not because I had an intense interest in the subject. I love memoirs, but not this one.
June 19, 2020
Yet another amazing book by a physician; a genre I'm starting to love. He interwove his personal experience and that of his patients so beautifully. It was almost poetic the way he writes and tells a story.
June 23, 2020
This is the fascinating story of a young man with synesthesia. He is a medical doctor who can feel a patient's physical and emotional pain and discomfort mirrored in his own body. His synesthesia enables him to be a very empathetic healer, though at considerable cost to himself.
April 4, 2024
well written book. I enjoyed reading accounts of his experiences with patients and the psychology/neuroscience explanations but I think he got lost in in unnecessary details in his personal narrative.
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