Seven Novels and Stories That Prove Fiction Can Grapple with Illness

A friend came across this, a nice review of The State of Me from 2021 on Electric Literature. The review is included in a piece called: 7 Novels and Stories That Prove Fiction Can Grapple with Illness:

 

'Based on the author’s own experience with myalgic encephalomyelitis (also known as chronic fatigue syndrome), The State of Me is unadorned autofiction that follows the protagonist, Helen Fleet, from her diagnosis at age 20 through the aftermath of her illness. Jafry has described her novel as “the antithesis of sick lit,” and indeed, it would be impossible to describe Helen’s experiences as anything approaching romantic. But as much as the novel is an honest, sometimes ruthless exploration of chronic illness, it’s also a story of everything else that might populate a person’s life: love, sex, relationships, and all the “life bits” in between. Helen’s voice, quirky and sardonic throughout, makes for an immersive and compelling read.'

 

The whole article is here.