Lucky Man: A Memoir

Michael J. Fox's first autobiography, covering the first forty years of his life, is an intriguing, compelling and moving story. Mostly framed through his diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease, we learn about his rise to fame followed by the curtailing of his career, as well as the personal issues he struggled with along the way and his unwavering love for his wife and children. The book ends ten years after his diagnosis, only a couple of years after coming out publicly with his illness and his (soft) retirement from acting. It's strange thinking about it now that far longer has passed since this book was first published than had between his diagnosis and writing the book. It's also strange thinking about the parasocial relationship we have show more with celebrities; MJF was my favourite actor when I was a kid, in fact I'm pretty sure he was the first person I was aware of as an actor rather than as a fictional character, my admiration of him is firmly cemented in my development, but I actually knew absolutely nothing about the real man or any of the things he was going through. It's educational learning about illnesses and disabilities you don't hear much about unless you're personally affected, so even if, unlike me, the Hollywood side of the story doesn't catch your attention, this is definitely worth reading. show less

Michael J. Fox opens his 2002 memoir in late 1990, in the moment he first notices the pinky-finger tremor that leads, a year later at age 30, to a diagnosis of Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease (PD).

Then he backs up for a hundred pages to describe his growing-up years in Canada and rising-star experiences in Hollywood -- including an interesting theory of "celebrity" (that it is a gone-haywire extension of the suspension of disbelief and emotional connection that are required of an audience during a performance). He devotes chapters to his PD diagnosis and treatment (including concealing the diagnosis) and to his descent into career and personal crisis. Though it seems PD would top his list of problems then, he notices it doesn’t even show more make the list which includes alcoholism. Fox finishes by describing his redemption, his “coming out” about PD, and his work toward PD research.

The memoir’s structure and writing so exceeded my expectations that I wondered about a ghostwriter -- until I read Fox's acknowledgements, where he mentions the writing of it and extends gratitude to his writing-mentor brother-in-law … Michael (Omnivore’s Dilemma) Pollan! Lucky Man is an informative, engaging, and insightful memoir. show less

This was one of my first celeb bios, and I couldn't have been more thrilled with it. Personally, I really only appreciate bios that have a real story to tell, and boy does Michael J. Fox have one!

I grew up watching Family Ties, where he was my least favorite character - because I was too young to dote after him, just old enough to understand enough about [Alex's] political leanings to know that they were ...not for me, but still too young to get much of the humor surrounding them, and so forth. He was not at all a character I could identify with; plus, he was snotty to the girls!

However, I absolutely adored him in Back to the Future, and in nearly everything he has done since. When he "came out" about the Parkinson's I, like the rest show more of the country, was shocked and saddened for him. Such an incredible actor, faced with such a horrible condition. But!, once he learned to accept it, he was able to turn and rail against it, and he has now become a huge voice in the battle for a cure.

His story was emotional, a roller coaster of ups and downs, happiness, shock, denial, pain, acceptance... and it all comes together to show just how amazing of a man Fox really is. Definitely not a book to miss! show less

Even though I was more interested in the career of Michael J. Fox many years ago, I picked up his autobiography just now. I have no idea why I waited so long to read this book. I was pleasantly surprised at how easily readable I found it.

It was basically divided into three sections: his youth, his aspiring career and stardom, and the years after his Parkinson's Disease diagnosis. I found all three parts of his story equally interesting. His youth in Canada and his turning to drama as a career I found fascinating because I've watched a few of my own friends and family follow the same trajectory -- some with success, others without. I was pulled deeply into Michael's psyche as a successful television and movie star because I've always show more wondered what makes people of wealth seem so uncaring about the world at large. He explained this phenomenon fairly well. I was brought into more thorough understanding of his life after his Parkinson's disease diagnosis was made as I know, that as I myself age, there will be infirmity and illness ahead of me. I always wonder how to cope in such a situation.

In addition, I was delighted to learn that Michael's wife Tracy is the sister of the Michael Pollan whose "foodie" books I've enjoyed reading over quite a few years.

I think that Michael writes a good book and expresses himself very well. In fact, this book now makes me want to read the two other books that he wrote after this one. show less

My dad was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease about five years ago. He has since passed away, but I was curious to read about MJF's experience with the disease.

I love how this story is told. Fox tells us how he started in show business. He talks about his struggle with addiction. Readers learn about his relationships with his family & colleagues. Fox uses humor much of the time. The story feels gut-wrenchingly honest as he tells us about the first tremor he experienced, meetings with the doctors, breaking the news & dealing with the disease.

If I liked MJF before reading his story, I love him now.

Another theme (besides medicine) that is popping up in my recent reading is Canada. I've read more books about Canada, Canadians and stories taking place in Canada. Michael J. Fox's memoir, Lucky Man, falls under both categories: medicine (for his thoughts on living with Parkinson's Disease) and Canada (born in Edmonton, Alberta). Lucky Man also qualifies as one of the best books I've read this year.

Fox begins his memoir with his diagnosis of young-onset Parkinson's Disease but the book isn't just about living with PD but about all the ups and downs of his life and who he has grown as a person. He covers his childhood, growing up as a military brat on various bases throughout Canada, his closeness with his grandmother, and his interest show more in both rock and roll and acting.

Of course the meat of the book is Fox's experience with PD (and the main reason why I wanted to read it, having known so many people with the disease). Fox writes with brutal honesty about his denial of the situation, using alcohol to deal with the news, and trying to use his medications to hide the tremors in his hands to keep his career going (while keeping the PD a secret).

The book though, is not a sob story or a pity party Fox isn't asking for sympathy. The book seems to have been a form of personal therapy (from reading the Acknowledgements at the back of the book). That people want to read his memoir seems to both humble him and amaze him. If you are interested in the actor, or know some with PD, or both, read Lucky Man. show less

Absolute page turner - documents the life of a rising and fallen star, the life of an incurable disease, the life of denial and finally acceptance. Intelligent and beautifully written. Even when you feel like you might just start to get annoyed with a certain stylistic turn of phrase or narrative device he writes something quite beautiful that knocks your socks off. Some gems too "I'm glad I don't have a drinking problem cause I think I'd find it really hard to give up"