Too Late to Die Young: Nearly True Tales from a Life
by Harriet McBryde Johnson
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Description
"Harriet McBryde Johnson's witty and highly unconventional memoir opens with a lyrical meditation on death and ends with a bold and unsentimental sermon on pleasure. Born with a congenital neuromuscular disease, Johnson has never been able to walk, dress, or bathe without assistance. With assistance, she passionately celebrates her life's richness and pleasures and pursues a formidable career as an attorney and activist. Whether rolling on the streets of Havana, on the floor of the show more Democratic National Convention in Chicago, or in an auditorium at Princeton debating philosopher Peter Singer, Harriet McBryde Johnson defies every preconception about people with disabilities, and shows how a life, be it long or short, is a treasure of infinite value."--Publisher's description. show lessTags
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SylviaC Familiarity with Harriet McBryde Johnson's autobiography adds a fascinating dimension to her novel.
Member Reviews
This sat on my shelf for over three years! I am sorry that I did not pick it up to read sooner, so it could have found more readers.
The title is great. I wish I'd thought of it. It is also perfect for this particular group of stories.
Johnson subtitles the book "nearly true tales from a life". The tales are about her life, from early childhood into middle age, as a person with a neuro-muscular disease. She did not want to know specifically which disease, and it didn't matter anyway. The stories begin with her realization that she would some day die. And that whatever disability she had would likely figure into that death. She came to grips with the realization early and got on with it. Saying to herself such things as "As long as I'm show more going to die I might as well be in Kindergarten"...on up to "...I might as well have a law degree" and "I might as well be a lawyer". She spent no time on self-pity.
The stories are arranged chronologically so the book really reads as a memoir. The underlying theme is that people with disabilities are no less likely to be happy or to live full lives than are able-bodied persons. It seems like a no-brainer but to much of the world it is not. Taking the message further, Johnson fought for accommodation for persons with disabilities so that it would not be so unnecessarily difficult for them to get all they can from life.
The tales are told with a brand of humor that is easy to like, that seems to come naturally to her. The book is thus easy and fun to read, yet it packs a powerful punch. show less
The title is great. I wish I'd thought of it. It is also perfect for this particular group of stories.
Johnson subtitles the book "nearly true tales from a life". The tales are about her life, from early childhood into middle age, as a person with a neuro-muscular disease. She did not want to know specifically which disease, and it didn't matter anyway. The stories begin with her realization that she would some day die. And that whatever disability she had would likely figure into that death. She came to grips with the realization early and got on with it. Saying to herself such things as "As long as I'm show more going to die I might as well be in Kindergarten"...on up to "...I might as well have a law degree" and "I might as well be a lawyer". She spent no time on self-pity.
The stories are arranged chronologically so the book really reads as a memoir. The underlying theme is that people with disabilities are no less likely to be happy or to live full lives than are able-bodied persons. It seems like a no-brainer but to much of the world it is not. Taking the message further, Johnson fought for accommodation for persons with disabilities so that it would not be so unnecessarily difficult for them to get all they can from life.
The tales are told with a brand of humor that is easy to like, that seems to come naturally to her. The book is thus easy and fun to read, yet it packs a powerful punch. show less
Harriet McBryde Johnson is amazing. But not in a sappy "inspirational" way. She has incredible tenacity in standing up to people in power, regardless of how unpopular it might be.
This book is an excellent collection of stories from Johnson's incredible life.
This book is an excellent collection of stories from Johnson's incredible life.
Harriet McBryde Johnson recently died at age 50. I was sorry to have only lately discovered her in this fabulous and often funny book full of stories of her life's work fighting for justice.
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Author Information
3+ Works 357 Members
Harriet McBryde Johnson has been a lawyer in Charleston, South Carolina, Since 1985. She holds the world endurance record (fourteen years without interruption) for protesting the Jerry Lewis telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 2005
- People/Characters
- Harriet McBryde Johnson
- Important places
- Charleston, South Carolina, USA
- Dedication
- For all those who let their stories cross mine, especially my Valentine
- First words
- I have come to expect it. The glassy smile. The concerned gaze. The double take—sometimes hilarious—when I roll out to meet a client in my waiting room or show up someplace where someone like me is not expected. The d... (show all)iscombobulation that comes in my wake.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)At dawn, it's usually impossible to predict whether the day will bring strange events fit for narration or the routine lyricism of life and love. Either way, it's good to meet each morning's sun awakened to all the possibilities.
- Blurbers
- Rich, Adrienne
Classifications
- Genres
- Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 362.196 — Social sciences Social problems and social services Social problems of and services to groups of people People with physical illnesses Services to people with specific conditions Diseases
- LCC
- HV3013 .J65 .A3 — Social sciences Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Protection, assistance and relief Special classes People with disabilities
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 122
- Popularity
- 265,944
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (4.44)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 2
- ASINs
- 1
