Book Review of
The Lady’s Handbook For Her Mysterious Illness

Lynn's Review

The Lady’s Handbook For Her Mysterious Illness by Sarah Ramey is a medical memoir that was published in 2020.

I bought this medical memoir shortly after it came out but knew I needed to be in the right mood to pick it up. This month, I was finally in that mood, and I am so glad I was. 

I have so many thoughts about this book, but am not quite ready to put them into words. But I do want to give some brief thoughts. 

My family, my kids, and I have had a rough eight years medical-wise. I have actually had some challenging medical issues since I was a kid. 

I have never felt so seen when it comes to medical problems as I have reading this book. My family’s issues are different than Sarah Ramey’s, but at the same time, we can relate to so much of this book. 

It is a challenging read. The author went through some horrible things. She is graphic with her descriptions. I had to set down this book many times while reading it because it was so heavy. 

Yet, at the same time, it was so freeing for me because I understood. 

I enjoyed the author’s honesty. I also loved that she shared her journey with both conventional and natural medicine. Both have their problems, and she is very honest about how both did her harm. 

In sharing her experience with natural and alternative medicine, she shares some new age, feministic things that I could have done without, but again I appreciate her honesty. 

I will also say that although women tend to deal with more complex medical issues because of our hormones, etc., I know quite a few men who have struggled to get answers to their medical problems as well. Sadly, it isn’t just a problem for women. 

I have already recommended this to a family member who I thought would enjoy it. 

This book is not for everyone, but if you have spent years trying to get help for an autoimmune disease, female issues, etc. I think you can probably relate to some of Sarah Ramey’s story.