Customer Reviews

Model Patient: My Life As An Incurable Wise-Ass

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(15)

 

 

Ok, I admit it.

I was looking for some real escapist reading and figured that a book by Karen Duffy called "Model Patient" would fit the bill. I expected a slap-dash tell all with a big dose "oh-feel-sorry-for-me-because-I-have-the-disease-of-the-week."

Was I wrong.

I found the book totally engrossing and found that I had had a completely skewed idea of what kind of person Duffy is. She turns out not only to be whipcrack smart but also completely down to earth about having had a major fling with minor stardom. She seems as surprised and bemused by it all as you would be if you suddenly found yourself inside your TV looking out, a refreshing perspective.

She also has a surprisingly healthy relationship with the disease that almost killed her. Rather than feeling crushed by it or (gag) made somehow noble by it, she seems to treat it like the bully up the block who may not be going away but is not going to be permitted to stand in the way of a good time. I have to admit that her grit made me feel whiny about my (relatively) petty complaints.

Having undergone a recent hospitalization, I was pleasantly surprised that there were some genuinely useful tips and sidebars about surviving the cure as well as the disease.

And, yes, Duffy throws in enough juicy celeb gossip to easily justify the price of the book. I usually like my dish a little more salty and tart than this but there are more actual insights offered here than in your average unauthorized biography.

In the end, Karen Duffy, as she comes across in this book, is just great company. I have already given away several copies to friends and family members going through, shall we say, unplanned life-altering experiences but I would recommend this to anyone who likes a brisk, eye-opening read that let's you walk in someone else's (Prada) shoes and realize that the fantasy life is the one you are already living.

Eden Pell

My best friend has severe symptoms of Sarcoidosis and just sent me Karen Duffy's book. I didn't know much about Duff until I began reading her hilarious and horrendous stories of suffering with this mysterious disease.

Duff is doing a world of good by putting a face and a name to Sarcoidosis and pushing for a cure. And she's giving Sarcoidosis patients--and anyone who's ever thought THEY had problems--a reason to laugh in the face of adversity!

I picked up Model Patient as a big Duff fan, but thinking it might be another illness-porn sellout. Not a chance. Karen Duffy's personal brand of tough-as-nails goofiness is, in fact, a great update on the idea of grace under pressure. When I stopped laughing--which took a while--I realized that Duff's approach to the illness she recounts in this book was an act of courage and imagination. Model Patient, in its no-nonsense love of life, has more to offer those in similar situations than any number of smarmy "inspirational" books. It's also a hilarious unvarnished account of celebrity circles and a truly moving love story. Duff serves up the real thing--with a welcome side of twisted humor.

This is not the kind of book I would normally read--I'm into poetry, science fiction, goth-horror, some nonfiction scientific books. But I have a friend who reads a lot of books about illness (she even went to the reading Duff gave in San Francisco.) She bugged me about it until I agreed that she could loan me the book. I started to read it, and enjoy it, and when I finished I decided I would listen to my friend's recommendations more often. Truly a funny and moving books, and a good helping of macarbe humor that I really enjoyed.

After I read it I checked the reviews on Amazon, and no surprise, most of the other people didn't seem to share my taste in literature, but obviously a lot of people responded to the book, maybe not because of the same reasons I did. I'm glad this one seems to be popular. I can't say too much about Tuesdays with Morrie because I've never read it, but I don't think I would enjoy that nearly as much as Model Patient.

As for the people who didn't seem to like it, I think they must not have gotten very far into the book. There is a lot of celebrity stuff in the beginning that was funny but wasn't necesarily my thing. But when you get to the end you realize that without understanding where she was coming from, you can't understand where she wound up. I urge them to take another crack at it!

Forget the categories--this book is a biography, humor book, inspirational, you name it! If you only buy one book this year (yeah right) buy Model Patient! I have a friend with sarcoidosis and I was considering buying it for her, but I read it myself first to see if she would like it. Needless to say I immediately got her a copy when I was finished. Don't walk, run! to get Model Patient.

Duff tells a story about one life: the life of a once healthy person and the life of someone who will never be without a visit to a doctor or a hospital again. In the telling of her own story, Duff captures the essance of what defines any life, that is, the necessity to live by one's own rules, one's own style and to never ever give up the values, the humor and the belief and hope that every day is a godsend and that every day is capable of new hopes and dreams no matter what one has to confront.

Duff describes herself as a c-level celeb., but with this breezy, slapstick book, she reveals she has missed her calling as a comedy writer. This hard-to-put-down memoir reads like a kooky sort of Nancy Drew-meets-ER. Will the hapless model/actress discover why her body fell apart on the night of the Emmys? Will she figure out how to decide between her drunken rock star boyfriend, the fatboy Saturday Night Live comic, and a balding, gentlemanly country music singer/actor? The citygirl exploits are balanced with sections that give practical tips for ill persons, like order in food if you're confined to a hospital bed, and bribe nurses and doctors with candy to get them to pay attention to you. A crafty, funny one, this Karen Duffy.

When Karen Duffy was "Duff" you could feel her "life". Even after she was diagosed with her illness, she continued in the public's eye. Seeing her on talk shows and reading stories about her, you could feel her "life". Karen is truly a happy person who has joy in her heart. Her book is uplifting, making you smile, cry and feel joy in your heart! It was a book I could not put down. This is a book that many people should read. She is an inspiration. Thank you Karen!!!!

I saw Karen Duffy on the TV show, Dateline, and I was intrigued because she seemed like a funny, insightful person. I bought her book and I wasn't disappointed. I couldn't put it down. It was hilarious. I laughed out loud ten times. ( I also cried when I read the chapter written by her husband.) I highly recommend Model Patient for anyone who needs practical advice on dealing with a serious illness, anyone with a friend or family member who is sick and could use some good cheering up, or anyone who likes comedy.

I have to admit I am in awe of Karen Duffy. Although her story is frightening and in the throws of a possibly fatal disease, I found myself laughing out loud and a lot! For any of us who have been sick or have seen loved ones go through illness can appreciate Karens spin on sickness. That life does go on and to live it to the fullest. Her spirit and courage are an inspiration! She is obviously a women with a wicked sense of humor and blessed with grace. Her advice on how to enjoy hospital visits are invaluble, we should all be as lucky as her to enjoy life as much as she does! BUY THIS BOOK!