Metaphor in Illness Writing

Metaphors in Illness Writing will be of great importance not only to literary scholars working in the fields of medical humanities and narrative medicine, but also to researchers and practitioners in the domain of medicine. It is one of the accomplishments of Wohlmann’s study that it consciously addresses both audiences. Despite this need to speak both to specialists in literary studies and to medical practitioners for whom the study of metaphor may seem quite novel, Wohlmann’s study never loses sight of the complexity of its topic: Metaphor in Illness Writing is highly complex and accessible at one and the same time, and it is tremendously well written. -- Mita Banerjee, University of Mainz * American Literary History *
Metaphor in Illness Writing is a well written and intellectually strenuous work of high-level medical humanities scholarship. The book will be of great interest to metaphor scholars, scholars of illness life writing, and suitably-versed healthcare professionals. -- Richard Freadman, La Trobe University * Life Writing *
Metaphor in Illness Writing offers concrete tools for fields like narrative medicine: it helps us to recognize the work that metaphors do in the world and challenge them when needed. -- Anna Ovaska, Tampere University * The European Journal of Life Writing *
Anita Wohlmann argues that metaphors in illness writing, however common, can be upcycled in dynamic ways, even reborn from ashes. I am convinced! Her book is a metaphorical gem, a work of meticulous inquiry into trope redux and renewed. I discovered deep value at each footfall. Beautifully written, mightily provocative. -- Alan Bleakley, University of Plymouth
In lucid and lively prose, Anita Wohlmann greatly expands our understanding of metaphor while combining deft close readings with practical application. This marvellous account of metaphor’s many uses and reuses will become an essential reference point for literary studies as well as the medical humanities. -- Rita Felski, University of Virginia and University of Southern Denmark