Customer Reviews

Life Lines - a patient's perspective in humorous verse on life with Parkinson's Disease and Cancer

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Life Lines was meant as a double-entendre by Edey -- "life lines" as throwing them out to save someone drowning in adversity, and lines by the words used by this man who charismatically wrote about his experiences in being treated for skin cancer and Parkinson's Disease. We've heard actor Michael J. Fox talk publicly about his life with PD, and like Fox, Edey provides a service to those who read his words. In Life Lines, Edey takes a "that's life" attitude with his health issues, and makes us chuckle in the face of reality.

In Life Lines, Anthony Edey draws upon his experiences with Parkinson's Disease and Cancer to craft a poetry which is both serious and hilarious at the same time. Enhanced with line drawn illustrations by Iris Edey and a section of black & white photographs, the poetry comprising this slender volume is as unique as it is memorable. The Final Cure: I hear that I ought to tart smoking,/Just try a medicinal pack./Inhale all the nice levadopa/My little gray cells seem to lack.//I hear that the feeling-good factor/Is just what I'm missing of late./A packet of Gaulloise should fix it,/I'd happily asphyxiate.//It's really a strange contradiction/That smoking could see this thing off./Instead of a long life of shaking/I'd die nice and slow of a cough!//On balance it seems quite apparent,/The treatment is worse than the cure./Through Parkinson's may not be perfect,/It's better than smoking, for sure.

We think that the book is a real light that shines on the fundamental questions of life that many of us manage to ignore.

Life Lines, especially the poem about Sam, made us think again about what is important in our own lives.

Edey captures his feelings and shares his personal revelations with wit and humility as he goes through his acceptance of the diseases that have attacked his body....the art work that accompanies each poem was lovingly brought to life by his wife, a gifted artist. The book is a joy to read and upon which to reflect.

Anthony Edey has written a wonderful book to be appreciated by all, but particularly by those facing serious illness. The book shares humor and sensitivity, and demonstrates how keeping a positive perspective has allowed him to find hope for the future and cherish the simple blessings of everyday life. Parkinson's disease and cancer are tough challenges for anyone. The lesson Anthony teaches with this book is that they can readily be faced with the best medicines: positive thoughts, the love and support of friends and family, a fighting attitude and humor. Bravo, and thank you, Anthony!

Reading this book has been like a trip on a Roller-coaster.Tears and laughter have alternatively given me the feeling of trespassing into the inner most sacred soul of a brave men.This book is an inspiration both for the sick and the healthy.The filigree drawings of Iris Edey underline the hope for tomorrow.Poetry and Flowers compliment each other lovingly.My hope is that this book will be available all over your lovely country in all the hospitals .I thank the author for letting me share his Trial.

I picked up Life lines not knowing what to expect from a book about someone elses health problems. A poetry book about Parkinsons Disease - doesn't sound like what I want to read. But Tony Edey has an upbeat and positive outlook on his life and his health. His poems are funny and poignant all at once, and always written from a positive point of view. His wife, Iris Edey, has done wonderful drawings of flowers that compliment the poems and that lend, through their symbolism, to the life Tony draws through his words. There are tough moments and some telling photos, but mostly, this book celebrates life and finds joy in small blessings.

A heartwarming assemblage of thoughts reflective of the author's life experiences. The tone of these dozens of glances into the trials and tribulations of a man confronting seemingly insurmountable medical obstacles vary widely, yet all are enlightening. The fact that one has both good and bad days, that the essence of life comes clear, and that a person faced with such adversity finds his/her senses heightened is crystal clear in Mr. Edey's writings.

We can all learn from Life Lines. The sun always rises. And there is always something, if not someone, there to anchor that line to, if not just for a while.