Awkward Bitch: My Life with MS

by Marlo Donato Parmelee

.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Health, Book Club, Autobiography, Biography

316 pages, Paperback

First published July 7, 2009

Reviews

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting, educational, and slightly depressing book for me. I was diagnosed with MS on April Fool's Day this year. Unlike the author I'm very much alone, my Mom died in December and I live by myself. My adventures with MS are just starting and what I loved about this book was the authors honesty, attitude, her learned compassion, and her desire to educate. I also love her use of humor and the journey she takes the reader on. Well worth the read.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and found it to be a very real account of MS flares, the torturous route to diagnosis, and coming to terms with an incurable disease. While not extraordinarily well-written, I certainly thought it was informative and a compelling story. In addition, it was sometimes laugh-out-loud funny and other times very moving. I will be sharing this book with family and friends to help them get a better understanding of the physical and emotional toll of MS on us MSers.

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

Parmelee struggles mightily to establish an "MS and the City" vibe. Her constant references to herself as "awkward bitch" are so strained, I wanted to stop her and tell her that "awkward bitch," like "fetch," is simply not going to happen. I wanted to read a witty memoir about someone's early days with MS, but this wasn't it.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't praise this book enough. It evoked every emotion on the spectrum. It was super hard to read at times because it hit so close to home, but even during those moments I loved it. Thank you, Marlo for sharing your story with the world. I hope you're doing well and I hope you realize what a profound difference you've made in the lives of so many of us by sharing your story.

[kimberly merry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. I was newly diagnosed with MS and Maron Donato Parmelee capture all the emotions I was going through. While reading her book I felt that I could relate to her struggles with MS. I would highly recomend this book for anyone with MS or who is close to someone with MS. I loved this book.

[Lauren Grossman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed out loud as I read this autobiography about a fashionista who learns she has MS. Working for Donna Karen in London, she has had to lower her heel size.
I was in London for 2 weeks recently and had the pleasure of having dinner with her. She's a delight.

[Lauren Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book perfectly describes the awkward bitch that MS has turned me into. I wish my family, friends, loved ones, coworkers, bosses --anyone that knows me, would read this book so that they could get a better understanding of what my life has become. Thank you Marlo, hope you're doing well!

[Georgina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having a first hand account of someone else living with MS and navigating through the diagnosis and daily struggles is not only empowering but it brings joy to my heart to read in such a way to KNOW someone else gets it... I'm not as crazy as I thought I was or maybe even as crazy as others thought I was... Great read for those who do not live with MS but know someone who does or just curious to understand it a little better and a must read for those living through it.

[Laura Fazio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personal for MS patients

As an MS patient, I enjoyed this book. It described symptoms as well as the mental responses that are very personal to me. It was an informative and entertaining book - nothing like the many books published on this subject. All MS patients will relate... non MS readers may not find it as entertaining because the author is writing about something very personal to the many MS patients in the world.

[Denice Regino · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a female architect living with MS since 2014 I must say this book touched me. It not only gave me support in reading about someone going through the same situations, but it also made me laugh a lot . She writes in such a candid and humorous way. after reading her story I can gladly say I am more open to think share and laugh about things I used to avoid even thinking about .

[Bert Edens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful and brutally honest book about Parmelee's life before, during and after her diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). It manages to come across as a book from the heart without being depressing, primarily due to her humor. Who else can combine discussions of her bowel functions and numbness that could affect her sex life and mix it with fashionista desires and struggles.

I definitely recommend this to anyone who has MS or knows someone with MS, as it could give you an insight into what struggles Parmelee faced. While no two diagnoses and symptoms are identical since no two person has the exact same lesions in the same places, there is definitely an insight to be found in the writing.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awkward Bitch was incredibly helpful to me as a disabled person/person with chronic illnesses, including those of the neurological variety. If you are chronically ill or know someone who is, please read this book!!! I wish I had picked it up sooner.

I absolutely adored the author's spirit, confidence, and brutal honesty. I feel like this is a "must re-read in times of crisis" book, a really rallying point.

Note: The language is quite coarse, which some people might find bothersome, but I appreciated Marlo's non-antiseptic candor. Also, the text has quite a few grammatical, spelling errors. Please don't let this stop you from getting the book's theraputic and insightful messages.

[Lizzie Harwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Marlo Donato's voice and candor in telling of her horrific journey with MS. I won't be able to take the tube around London without thinking of her struggles just to exit stations or get on a train while in the middle of a MS relapse. This is such a hard illness and the more stories out there like this one, the better, it really gives tremendous insight into how different people cope and I loved her humor and sassiness -- don't ever lose that!!! I hope she is managing well and not letting MS "have her". Wholeheartedly recommend this book for anyone after a read of courage and not losing yourself in the face of struggles.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book more than a year ago. Being diagnosed in 2008 I had a lot of similar things happen to me so I could relate well. Even not having any good days at the time of reading it..she made me laugh & find the humor of each situation. Even though its super scary to go through something like MS. It's an educational read for people that don't have MS too. She really shines light on what it's like to live with it. I'm looking forward to her next book!

[Laura Semanisin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a MUST READ for everyone - not just for those of us with this ugly disease! Marlo has not only been able to describe the uncertainty, fear, & anger we all felt at one time or another during our journey into discovering what this disease is & how it affects our everyday life, but has been able to discover that there is also some humor that can be found. Laughter really is the best medicine sometimes.
Marlo - you are indeed a hero to many - THANK YOU SO MUCH for writing this book...

[Linda Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked up this book...and was surprised at how close her life resembles mine. Symptoms, experiences, and situations are very real and true to most everyone experiencing the awkward relapses that appear out of nowhere and subside or remiss temporarily. Reality with a twist of humor makes this a great read, not only for MS victims, but for caregivers, family and friends who may not quite understand what it is like living with this tricky disease.

[Dalene Kolk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me laugh and cry! She takes a humorous look at what it means to have MS! I was able to compare my flare-ups with hers and learned more than I have been able to learn about our shared disease than my doctors have taught me!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, laugh out loud funny, about one woman's MS diagnosis and how she refused to let it define her. It reminds me of my fabulous, gorgeous friend Katie, who meets each day ready to face what life has thrown at her head on, with grace, laughter, and love💗

[Roberta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Labai smagi ir nuotaikingai parašyta knyga apie moterį, susirgusia siaubinga liga. Kadangi apie išsėtinę sklerozę iki tol nieko nežinojau, buvo itin įdomu skaityti apie ją ne iš sausos medicininės pusės, bet per paprastos romano istorijos prizmę. Istorijos, kuri nestokoja humoro ir nuoširdžiai aprašytų atsiminimų. Labai labai patiko, persiskaitė gretai, bet tikrai manau, kad ilgai šios knygos nepamiršiu. Rekomenduoju!

[Sherry Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helped me understand my disease after I was diagnosed.. definitely recommend

[Cathy Onufry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had mixed feelings about this book. I was diagnosed with MS over 30 years ago I found her story inspiring but also frustrating. The author Marlo Parmelee is very honest in her account of all she went through. She had to see so many doctors before she could get a diagnosis. She does triumph in the end and takes ownership of her diagnosis.

[Lena · Rating 2 out of 5]

If it wasn't for me having MS and that making it an interesting read, I wouldn't even give it two stars. There's really not much that I enjoyed about the book. The writing style is boring and unimaginative, mostly just chaining together short main clauses with simple vocabulary. The story she tells feels more like random anecdotes strung together without any coherent string. She does make sure to name drop all the famous people that she met throughout her work, which would be fine if they had any bearing on the story at all but as it stands it only feeds into what feels like the writer's way oversized ego. Which brings me to my last point. Boy did I not like the character at all. What a superficial bitch indeed. To give an example, she had the opportunity to try out a treatment for MS which she refused because it had something to do with a pressure chamber and it made her uncomfortable. Okay, whatever. But wait! It also has a side effect on making you look younger! And there goes Marlo, there's no stopping her now to try it out. I mean... really. Won't try a treatment to stop her literal brain from being destroyed, but boy if it gives you a good taint it's all good. Is it just me?
Now I will admit there was some character development and I think she learned a thing or two along the way about priorities and such, but between an utterly unlikable character, bad writing and story telling, if you don't have MS it's not worth the read. Her progression of the illness is pretty scarry and did help me get rid of some of my fears, but I must wonder how much of it she just utterly overpainted to make herself look dramatic and brave. Which she is, in the book, I'll admit. Her stand up attitude was impressive and maybe the only redeeming thing about this story.

[Eddie Slain · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really interested in this book as my wife has MS, and I was hoping to get an inside view on what she is going through, through the eyes of another woman.

Whilst some of the book was insightful, I found it difficult to stay focused on the author's tale, as they seemed to jump around a lot, and leave out the deep emotional gristle that would allow me to understand what it might be like to live with MS.

I have a ton of respect for her having written this book.

I did talk to my wife about this book, and she felt the same; it was hard to get into, even with the commonality she felt with the author's experiences.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being struck down by a chronic disease is no laughing matter, but the author had me laughing more than a few times as she recounted her life before and with MS.

It is also a fascinating look into MS diagnosis and treatment in England, home of the National Health Service. The author is an American citizen living and working in GB when mysterious symptoms force her to seek answers and ultimately, treatment.

I am amazed at her tenacity! And how on earth could she continue to wear heels?

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were times that this book was painful to read. As the author waited for a diagnosis, I relived my own experience. I had to stop reading several times because rhe emotions of fear and isolation become too real once again. Yet, it was comforting to know someone else lived though it also. I enjoyed reading this book. The emotions are true to the uncertainty one must feel after receiving the diagnosis, but this is also a very positive memoir.

[Karri Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know why I decided to read this, but I'm glad that I did. It was interesting and a little inspiring to read how strong this woman was as she played out the hand she was dealt. I didn't know much about MS before reading this, so learning about the symptoms was really interesting. It is a great reminder of all the things we take for granted in our lives every day.

[Theresa Rulon · Rating 3 out of 5]

So glad I read this book. My friend was diagnosed with MS recently and I really had no idea what MS was. This gave me information on dealing with MS daily and more understanding of the daily obstacles people with this disease face. The author was funny and endearing and I loved how she discovered who she was in the end.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The four stars are not for the quality of the writing- although it is very funny and engaging- I recognize how difficult the experiences were for the author. I am very grateful for the insight into MS. This was the first book I read after my diagnosis and it really made me feel like we were friends going through this together.

[patricia A Flynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

My MS life

In different ways I have not suffered this badly. I do not have nerve pain. Pain from the result of terrible falls, though. It's been a long time for me since the diagnosis and so many of our struggles are the same. I'm doing pretty well do to my positive attitude. I have a great sense of humor about my problems. Different from yours.

[Justė Knygu_gurmane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Labai patiko. Lengvai skaitoma, su nuostabiu humoro prieskoniu ir tuo pačiu labai išsamiai atskleidžianti tikrąją situaciją žmonių susiduriančių su IS - nepagydoma liga.
Patiko pagrindinė herojė ir jos valia nepasiduoti, tvirtai siekti savo tikslų ir gyventi normalų gyvenimą, kurį mes visi turime, tačiau dažniausiai patys jį neįvertiname.