Somebody I Used to Know

By: Wendy Mitchell

Narrated by: Wendy Mitchell

Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

“A brave and illuminating journey inside the mind, heart, and life of a person with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.” -Lisa Genova, author of Still Alice 

Wendy Mitchell had a busy job with the British National Health Service, raised her two daughters alone, and spent her weekends running and climbing mountains. Then, slowly, a mist settled deep inside the mind she once knew so well, blurring the world around her. She didn’t know it then, but dementia was starting to take hold. In 2014, at age 58, she was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s.   

In this groundbreaking book, Mitchell shares the heartrending story of her cognitive decline and how she has fought to stave it off. What lay ahead of her after the diagnosis was scary and unknowable, but Mitchell was determined and resourceful, and she vowed to outwit the disease for as long as she could.  

As Mitchell learned to embrace her new life, she began to see her condition as a gift, a chance to experience the world with fresh eyes and to find her own way to make a difference. Even now, her sunny outlook persists: She devotes her time to educating doctors, caregivers, and other people living with dementia, helping to reduce the stigma surrounding this insidious disease.  

Still living independently, Mitchell now uses Post-it notes and technology to remind her of her routines and has created a “memory room” where she displays photos - with labels - of her daughters, friends, and special places. It is a room where she feels calm and happy, especially on days when the mist descends.  

A chronicle of one woman’s struggle to make sense of her shifting world and her mortality, Somebody I Used to Know offers a powerful rumination on memory, perception, and the simple pleasure of living in the moment. Philosophical, poetic, intensely personal, and ultimately hopeful, this moving memoir is both a tribute to the woman Wendy Mitchell used to be and a brave affirmation of the woman she has become.  

"Somebody I Used to Know is both an indispensable guide for people grappling with the consequences of a dementia diagnosis and a stirring account of courage in the face of devastating loss." (Booklist)

"This is an eloquent and poignant book. Those of us who have gone on the heartbreaking journey of losing a loved one to dementia have wondered what they were feeling. Wendy Mitchell's courageous and unflinching account lets us know." (Patti Davis, author of The Long Goodbye)

©2018 Wendy Mitchell (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Somebody I Used to Know is both an indispensable guide for people grappling with the consequences of a dementia diagnosis and a stirring account of courage in the face of devastating loss.” (Booklist, starred review)

“Remarkable . . . Mitchell gives such clear-eyed insight that anyone who knows a person living with dementia should read this book.” (The Times - London)  

“A sensitive, affective, and moving chronicle of how a woman with Alzheimer's has refused to let the disease completely rule her life... In this moving, well-written memoir, [Wendy] Mitchell relates how her life inevitably changed... [She] obviously refuses to give up, as evidenced by her writing this poignant statement of her life after the diagnosis.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Raised my awareness

So well written and I loved that the author read it . Her writing made me feel like I was there in the room with her
What a beautiful story .
I enjoyed it very much

Poignant & Powerful

I loved Wendy Mitchell’s memoir, Somebody I Used to Know. It was my first real experience with dementia and I found it beautiful, poignant, powerful and inspiring. I live with progressive Multiple Sclerosis and found lots of similarities between Wendy’s experience and my own - not necessarily physical ones, but emotional ones about living with an incurable disease.
I loved that it was Wendy narrating herself and find myself wishing everyone would read this in order to help make the world a better place for everyone.

A Must Read for Every Human Being

Wendy Mitchell helps us understand what life is like for someone with memory loss. She not only shows us how we can all be more empathetic and helpful to those living with dementia, but she also inspires everyone in her creative and ingenious ways of outwitting dementia.

If everyone read this book and understood the difficulties of living in our world when one has dementia, we could learn how a smile and show of support could make all the difference and allow those living with dementia to be much more independent.

Inspirational

Loved this book! Educational for the loved ones of the people affected with Dementia. Caring for love ones with respect isn’t always common.

Very insightful

Being read by the author brought the story to life. When I closed my eyes to listen I could relate to situations she was describing. I appreciate this and Wendy’s blog to break down the stigma around this complicated disease.

True story

I really enjoyed the author honesty to open up and tackle her diagnosis of Alzheimer's to not only help herself but others dealing with thiers!
Her obstacles and challenges are what happened to her. Not everyone illness is the same. I really enjoyed this book!