Smile

Viac o knihe

In this poignant memoir, Sarah Ruhl shares her experience with Bell's palsy after the birth of her twins. Just as her first play opens on Broadway, she faces the shocking reality of paralysis on the left side of her face. While most Bell's palsy patients experience recovery, Ruhl finds herself among the unlucky ten percent who do not. This condition presents unique challenges for her as a mother, wife, and artist in the theater world. Over the next decade, she embarks on an intense search for a cure while navigating the complexities of her altered appearance, which struggles to express her true emotions. Ruhl's reflections are searing, witty, and insightful as she explores her journey as a patient, mother, and playwright. She addresses the disconnect between her inner self and her outward expression, the pain of postpartum depression, and the joys and challenges of family life. Throughout her narrative, she seeks a resilient spiritual life amid adversity. Filled with humility and humor, this memoir is a testament to perseverance, loss, and hope, showcasing Ruhl's remarkable talent as one of America's leading playwrights. It resonates with themes of reconciliation and the human experience, reminiscent of the works of Joan Didion, Ann Lamott, and Nora Ephron.