Walking Through the Fire

by Laurel Lee

Fine hardcover and dj, Dutton, 1977, by Laurel Lee, illustrated w/ drawings by the author, 118 pages. "Joyce Carol Oates says..." The miracle of Laurel Lee's escape from Hodgkin's disease is matched by the miracle of her ability to transform personal pain into beauty and poignancy. A gentle , spare, wise and memorable book."

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

147 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 1977

Reviews

[Mischenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you'd like to see my copy of the book, it's featured on this week's Shabby Sunday @ https://readrantrockandroll.com/2017/...

I’m one of those people who believe that everything happens for a reason and this book is just one example. It fell into my hands at our local library book sale after someone had donated it. I have a thing for vintage books as it is, but there was something special about this one. Little did I know, this would be a book that would help me in the near future with my own health struggles.

The book is a hospital journal written by Laurel Lee, a woman who’s just become stricken with Hodgkin’s while pregnant with her third child. This book is her journey with cancer and everything else in between, including her everyday life with marriage and children. Laurel deals with typical life while being faced with multiple challenges alongside a scary situation that threatens her life and the life of her unborn child. She outlines her experiences in this book.

Why is this book a favorite? What I loved most about it was that it’s a journal–a true account that Laurel was willing to share with others regarding her personal trials and tribulations. Her courage shines through and was an inspiration to me before I experienced something similar. Sometimes our health can get in the way of how we want to live our lives. Often we take our health for granted and I think this book does an excellent job of bringing this to our attention, but at the same time, it’s also a celebration of life.

The cover was designed by Laurel and has many little drawings in the text by the author as well. Like me, this book will be forty years old this September and was published in 1977. It’s roughly one hundred and eighteen pages and a quick read. Mine is the first edition hardcover with a dust jacket.

This remains on my shelf permanently. Even though I found it hard to read at times, it’s one of my favorites and gets a 5-star rating from me. I would recommend it to anyone.

5*****

[Mike Blyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laurel Lee's books have a special place in my heart. Few books have a style that sets them apart from, and makes them hard to compare with, all others. Her writing on the surface reads as easily as a children's book (she also wrote for children). But in that simplicity there is great transparency and insight. The books are mostly prose, but laced with sparkling word images and drawings that speak directly to the heart and are truly a (very accessible) form of poetry. Just a couple of examples:

"In one stroke, I cut with some mental shears that fifty-more-years river, leaving me a short stretch .... I want the privilege of guiding the arrows of my children and giving them the exhortations that can shoot them into the high place."

"I was stunned. I knew I must be in Stage III. I could count my thoughts and emotions, as if my head had broken into a lot of little pieces and they were falling slow enough to number. I was mad at every encouraging word and that I had believed them.
"We all stood two inches tall; I was set up for a fall. It was winter, and they took my only coat."

Laurel's books are special to me mainly because of they way they exude joy and life without being in the least syrupy or naive (indeed there is plenty of doubt, discouragement, and pain expressed as well, as in the quote above).

Though valuable for anyone, Walking through the Fire was written as a gift for the doctors who were caring for Laurel during her first illness. It offers them a candid and often humorous view from the patient's perspective. Her inside view has shaped my own practice as a pediatrician and I believe that every health care worker should consider her books required reading. And besides ... they're fun!

Unfortunately, these journals are out of print. The new book Tapestry, though, appears to contain much if not all of the same material and more. I'm going to read it as soon as I can get it out here to Nigeria.

[Jason Patience · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laurel Lee’s Walking Through Fire is a gripping and deeply moving account of her battle with cancer while navigating the challenges of motherhood. Her writing is both raw and inspirational, meticulously capturing the physical and emotional toll of her journey. Lee’s bravery and wisdom shine through as she invites readers into her heart-wrenching experience, offering an intimate glimpse into her pain and resilience. I wish I could read more.

[Michelle M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cancer survivors story and a very compelling read. I have a signed copy from the author and first read this book when I was 12 years old.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling story of a woman's fight with cancer and how she survived.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very moving true story of a woman who is pregnant with her third child when she learns she has Hodgkins.

[Laura Dahlman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a lovely written book, whether religious or not I think anyone could gain something from this book. Heartbreaking and eyeopening but full of hope and wisdom as well. Laurel seems like such a wonderful person. I was sad to learn after reading the book she passed in 2004 from cancer at age 58. I'd love to read more of her work!

[Nadirah Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a short but enjoyable read. I wished for the story to continue as I turned closer to the end of the book.

[Moon Captain · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful soul

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

“We learn obedience by the things that we suffer”