The Night the Lights Went Out: A Memoir of Life After Brain Damage by Drew Magary
Product details
Web ID: 14737142Recovery from a devastating head injury
Drew was out with some friends in NYC when he collapsed and hit his head on a concrete wall sustaining a traumatic brain injury. His skull fractured in three places and he had a subdural hematoma. They don't know if the fall caused the bleed or the bleed caused the fall but the end result was him being put in a medically induced coma for two weeks after extensive surgery to stabilize him. The first part of the book was a bit tedious as multiple people chimed in with what they saw and what they did until he woke up. I found the accounting of his recovery fascinating as he learned to walk again. Because the skull fracture damaged his right ear he was totally deaf on that side and ultimately needed a cochlear implant. I found that whole process especially interesting, not thinking that okay you just can't hear out of one ear. As a result he also lost his sense of smell and taste. It was a remarkable recovery and written with humor. I'm so glad he was able to share his story. Thank you to Netgalley and Rodale Inc for providing me with a copy.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Tragic and Funny
I was so taken by the author's account of suffering a traumatic brain injury that I read THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT in one sitting. Especially clever is the way the story is told from different POVs when he was in a coma. It's a sobering tale of how unsuspected bleeds can injure the brain, written with a deft and humorous touch. Highly recommended for lovers of memoirs and hilarity. Thanks to the author, Rodale, Inc., Harmony, and NetGalley for the ARC; opinions are mine. #thenightthelightswentout #drewmagary #rodale #memoirs #cautionarytales #bookstagramcommunity
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Wondering why
I’m five hours into listening to this book with two and half hours left. The author is the narrator. I certainly would not recommend this book to anyone. Granted Drew had/has a brain injury, his words are filled with anger and unnecessary cursing. The only reason I am finishing this book is so I can put it on my personal list of books that I have read in 2022.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Great title
Great book. Having suffered a very similar TBI I can relate to the author in so many ways, so it was a great book for me to read.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Devastating Memoir
This story began with me not knowing much about Drew. I was hooked as soon his injury occurred. There was so much unknown and so little hope to be found. I instantly became his cheerleader, wishing him to fight a little more & try to recover, if that was even possible. Ultimately we are taken on a journey of devastation and left wondering can anyone ever make it back from such a tragedy. If they can, what will that look like?
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Informative
I had a problem with the author’s use of profanity. I understand we write as we speak, but I’m just not around people who sprinkle such words in their conversations. It was interesting to read the first hand experiences of family and friends as he was comatose. And interesting to read his experiences as he adjusted to his new body. Part 3 was my favorite because I could see him stop fighting and start adjusting.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Fascinating!
The Night the Lights Went Out is a fantastic read. Most of us will never experience a traumatic brain injury which makes this book all the more enthralling. I had no idea of the long-term repercussions and slow recovery of these types of injuries. This in not a book weighed down in medical facts and minutia but a very readable, highly interesting account of the author's experience. I am very glad Mr. Magary lived to tell his tale. For readers sensitive to profanity, I feel I need to note that the story contains quite a bit as it is told in a conversational style. Disclosure: I received a free copy from Harmony Books in exchange for a free and unbiased review.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Interesting
Drews tale of his lights going out is very funny and intriguing. Actually, not too long after reading this book, I got COVID and lost my sense of taste and smell. I remember his explanation that losing your sense of smell gives you the danger of eating or drinking food that's gone bad, and he is soo right. I sat by my fridge wondering if the milk was still good, you know you can't always trust milk expiration dates. I even spoke to co-workers about the smell therapy Drew did to try to regain his sense. This book came to life in the weeks of my COVID illness and recovery. I received a free eBook from the publisher, but the thoughts and ideas are my own.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com