The Language of Water

Rating:
Summary: A Gift of Inspiration
Review: Jude Clarke shares an unselfish account of a life afflicted with Lupus. As an aspiring nurse I was interested in the dynamics of this disease and how it affects its victims. This book not only narrates the first hand account of what life may be like for a person dealing with the chronic illnes of Lupus but also the psychological difficulties of alcoholism and manic depression. The use of various themes of setting provide insightful connections to Clarke's most intimate moments spent with her supportive family and the varying levels of illness intensity. This autobiography written to inspire others afflicted with Lupus is an easy, uncomplicated read, and is definitely an excellent reference to assisting others with any chronic illness. It is prophetic to the fact that a "good life" is possible despite disease.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent book
Review: Jude Clarke's book is a beautifully written account of her struggle with lupus. She uses symbolism to describe the different stages of the disease. Being recently diagnosed with lupus myself, this book was immensely helpful. It helped me to realize that what I'm experiencing is normal for someone with the illness. I gave the book to my sister to read and it helped her to understand much of what I am going through. I'm giving it to my mother next and then I'm going to re-read it myself.

Rating:
Summary: A Woman's Struggle with her inner self...
Review: Language of water is a story of Jude Clarke's struggle with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. This well thought out story is a collaboration of her encounters with the disease in an almost diary-like fashion. Clarke who is really known for her artistic paintings, places numerous art forms throughout the narrative to explain how she feels during different stages with her battle against Lupus. Its evident that Clarkes reasoning behind writing a book about a disease that isn't very well-known is an effort to help others who are having problems coming to terms with a disease. Clarke tries to show through her life encounters that there is nothing to be embarrassed about and that if people were more aware of the topic, then possibly there can be cure for it one day. Language of Water is an inspirational story regardless if one is dealing with a disease or not.

Rating:
Summary: Facing the challenge
Review: The Language of Water is a beautifully written, candid and honest autobiographical account of a woman who is facing the daily challenges of living with chronic illness. Through her eyes as an artist, she paints a very vivid account of not only the trials of sickness, but, within her life the beauty and love she experiences. Sustaining such illness, she does so with courage, not self pity, not forgetting life around her in the process. The information she provides in giving account of the various stages in her condition is useful not only for sufferers of lupus, but for anyone dealing situations they are not always in control of, such as disease, chronic fatigue, and the like. She demonstrates the importance of good care and information in coping and managing illness, while living a life as full as is possible in such circumstances. An excellent read, with pictures of her beautiful paintings within. Thank you Jude.

Rating:
Summary: Sometimes We Cry
Review: The Language of Water is a story of strength and endurance. In writing about her struggle with perhaps the most bizarre affliction known to humankind, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Jude Clarke imparts to her readers an astounding example of grace. Clarke's humility and unerring will to not only survive, but to share the beauty she is blessed with through her art makes her story that much more profound. Clarke's genuine style presented in the form of diary entries communicates a sense of time passage. Through Clarke's story the reader experiences, intimately, the feeling of darkness, loneliness, and slowness of time that are only felt in the solitude of sickness; yet there is never a hint of self-pity. Although the book's cover cites a content strictly involving a woman's struggle with disease; it holds far more than that. Clarke's story is filled with the beauty of art and love that is ever present in her life; through the flares brought on by Lupus, in the relationships she nourishes and that in turn nourish her, in the adventures she refuses to miss out on, and in the volumes she speaks through the medium of watercolour on canvas.

The Language of Water is a work of literary non-fiction. Clarke's book presents itself not only thru her written words, but with her watercolours that echo the books title, poetry and song lyrics written by John Lent, and Van Morrison's "Sometimes We Cry" as the soundtrack.

I found The Language of Water impossible to put down once having begun reading. I cried through more than one part of Clarke's story. I cried tears for sadness and pain, for triumph, tears of incredulity at the iron will that made this book possible, and tears for all those missing the lessons that their own lives are trying to teach them. The Language of Water is not a sad story though; it is a story of victory. Clarke is ultimately victorious over the most crippling part of illness, fear. While sharing her story, Jude Clarke embodies a plethora of human qualities, portrays a myriad of emotions, and teaches life's most valuable lesson...never give up.

Rating:
Summary: A Gift?
Review: The Language of Water is an inspiring and heartfelt story written from a feminist perspective of a women stricken with a volatile immune disorder. As an aspiring swimmer, I was severely lead astray by the title, however upon reading this book I was left in complete awe in regards to how much of it was contradicted continually throughout. I had the benefit of meeting with the author amongst my peers for a brief discussion and question period. Granted Jude Clarke's personal battle is commendable, as is the path in which she fought against her systemic lupus. I take nothing away from her, nor this book as every piece of art has the ability to reach out to someone. Clarke, a local artist apparently began painting and this book as a sort of outlet against the `flares' brought on by her lupus. This fact was never fully substantiated, as contradictions behind the origin of both projects were evident in the book and upon discussion with the author. This book produces real life accounts in dealing with, at this time, an incurable disease. Clarke's autobiographical struggle and story is entertaining and insightful. It proves and provides hope to those needing an example of look at me, I made it through and so can you, triumph under fire, and that it is possible to lead a normal life even if you are faced with severe odds. I disagree with many of the other reviews. The book did breach on self pity, as it was also subject to contradiction. Clarke stated that she wanted to keep the disease to herself, in the book, but then publishes a book? This tactic is only effective if no one reads her works. Again I take nothing away from Jude as a person, this book is an interesting read and will reach out to her prescribed audience.

Rating:
Summary: enlightening and encouraging
Review: When I finished Language of Water, I couldn't wait to recommend it to others to read. It was enlightening, encouraging, and creative. The book captured my attention at the beginning with the symbolic narrative of the wolves and the wildfire. By inserting the small symbolic narratives at times when Clarke was battling, fearing, or just thinking about the disease gave me a mental image and an emotional feeling of her life with lupus through the actions of the wolves and the wildfire. This alternative, creative method informed and educated me of the endless battle with lupus and how acceptance, understanding, and life are still possible.
I also enjoyed the paintings scattered within the book. Clarke explains how she created some of her painting. I am now curious to experiment with some of her techniques she used, particularly, I am interested in her style while in France.
I believe Language of Water is an excellent book for anyone to read and a mandatory book to read if the reader or someone the reader is close to has any type of illness. The book gives hope and suggestion to the reader, and as a nurse, I will be recommending this book to my future clients.