An isolated main character living with an invisible chronic illness, a story centered entirely on her, and a narrative told in reverse—it all perfectly underscores her emotional shutdown and sense of isolation.

This book delves into the struggles of living with a chronic, invisible illness—one that lacks widespread medical understanding or reliable treatment. The protagonist, a thirty-something Norwegian woman, lives in NYC, recently separated from her husband, juggling co-parenting, work, and an endless cycle of health care appointments. Her diagnosis of endometriosis leaves her without the support she needs, amplifying her loneliness.

Told in reverse, the story ends with her teenage years, when she first received her diagnosis. The focus on her perspective intensifies the sense of isolation, allowing the reader to deeply connect with her experience.

As a fellow European living in the US, I resonated with the questions from friends and family back home: “What’s it like dealing with the US health care system?” usually followed by “Why don’t you just move back to where it’s all taken care of?”

One side note: this woman lives in NYC, and not once does the book mention rent. That’s how utterly drained the protagonist is—she doesn’t even have the energy to complain about rent.

A thought-provoking read, especially for those interested in stories about resilience, isolation, and navigating life with endometriosis.