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Rating: 
Summary: Christmas celebrations in the San
Review: I read this book long ago, have forgotten a lot of it, but just about every December I find myself singing "Deck the Halls in Old Crepe Paper, fa la la" etc. Used to confuse my kids no end. For those who haven't read it yet, look for the scenes of holiday celebrations in the old TB sanitaruims-- sad & funny.
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Summary: Tuberculosis can be funny.
Review: The Plague and I has got to be one of the strangest -- and funniest -- memoirs about chronic illness ever written. If you read the Egg and I and were repulsed by the late Betty MacDonald's racism (heck, who wasn't?) you'll be every bit as offended by this one. However, if you like Pit Bulls and HATE people who spout adadges, like "If you must be blue, be a BRIGHT blue", you'll love this book. Basically, it's about Betty MacDonald's stay at "The Pines" during the late '30's. "The Pines" (rumored to be Firlands for you san junkies) was located outside of Seattle, run like a REALLY TIGHT ship and about as charming as, well, a sanitorium. Anyway, MacDonald's vicious sense of humor will have you laughing at painful procedures -- like forced collapse of the lung. In the late '30's there were NO effective drugs in the battle against TB. And now...If you know a "lunger," are one yourself or just want a HOOT, FIND this book and read it! The Plague and I contains valuable insight into the nature of TB and just how far attitude goes toward survival.
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Summary: A funny look at a serious situation.
Review: This book is filled with an off beat sence of humor. It isn't the slap you in the face kind of humor but rather the kind of humor that hits you later. For example, I found myself smilingat something I read earlier in the day while cooking dinner. At the end of this book you feel like you know each of the people personally. I wanted a follow up to find out what happened to each person. It's that good. Basically this book is about Betty MacDonalds stay in a sanitorium while she had TB. She can take such a serious topic that could be pretty morose and turn it into something interesting and funny.
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Summary: fun at the sanatarium!
Review: you wouldn't think that a stay in a tb hospital could be a subject for a funny book; at least not until you read betty macdonald's "the plague & i". she is the author of the wonderful classics, "the egg & i", "anybody can do anything", "onions in the stew", and the children's series, mrs. piggle-wiggle. this particular book brings her light hearted outlook to what could have been a very stressful time in her life. through betty's eyes the reader is invited to look at a serious subject with humor and wit. i'd recommend this to any reader of erma bombeck or jean kerr.
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