The Sleeping Beauties: And Other Stories of Mystery Illness

The Sleeping Beauties is a fascinating investigation into an extraordinary medical phenomenon, from Wellcome Prize-winning neurologist Suzanne OSullivan. It explores the cases of refugee children in Sweden, high school students in upstate New York, and employees at the US Embassy in Cuba, all of which are examples of psychosomatic illnesses influenced by individual cultures. The book is reminiscent of the work of Oliver Sacks, Stephen Grosz, and Henry Marsh and is a moving and unforgettable scientific investigation with a human face.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2022
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

A captivating exploration into a remarkable medical phenomenon, from the esteemed neurologist Suzanne OSullivan, recipient of the Wellcome Prize. It is impossible to compare any book to a Sacks, yet this one truly lives up to the esteemed author's legacy. Upon completing the book, I found myself filled with a thrilling sense of unease, yearning for more. The words of James McConnachie, from the Sunday Times, perfectly capture the essence of my experience: "To compare any book to a Sacks is unfair, but this one lives up to it. I finished it feeling thrillingly unsettled, and wishing there was more."

In Sweden, refugee children experience prolonged periods of sleep, extending for months or even years. In upstate New York, high school students encounter contagious seizures. In the US Embassy in Cuba, employees report experiencing headaches and memory loss after hearing peculiar noises during the night. These diverse cases, scattered across different parts of the world, stand as some of the most remarkable diagnostic mysteries of the twenty-first century. Both doctors and scientists have grappled with the challenge of understanding and treating these disorders within the confines of medical science alone. However, what unites these cases is a common thread: they represent a unique category of psychosomatic illness. These medical conditions are influenced not only by human biology but also by the distinctive aspects of individual cultures.

Motivated by a poignant encounter with the sleeping refugee children of Sweden, Suzanne OSullivan embarks on a global journey to explore communities that have also faced outbreaks of so-called "mystery illnesses." From a desolate post-Soviet mining town in Kazakhstan to the picturesque Mosquito Coast of Nicaragua, via an oil town in Texas, and finally to the heart of the Maria Mountains in Colombia, OSullivan listens to captivating stories from a diverse range of individuals. Her mission is to unravel the intricate meanings behind these illnesses while also challenging the conventional boundaries of what constitutes an illness. The Sleeping Beauties bears a striking resemblance to the works of Oliver Sacks, Stephen Grosz, and Henry Marsh, each of whom has made significant contributions to the field of medical writing.

This book is a poignant and unforgettable exploration of the human condition, offering a profound reflection on the complexities of health, illness, and the power of storytelling. It compels us to reconsider our perceptions of what it means to be healthy and to recognize the profound impact that cultural and societal factors can have on our physical and mental well-being. The Sleeping Beauties is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the boundless potential of medical science to unravel the mysteries of the human body and mind.

Weight: 236g
Dimension: 130 x 196 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529010572