I read this biographical memoir some time ago now, having requested it as an ARC because both my partner and myself live with chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis and I was interested to read about the experience of this young lady who became ill at fifteen and had an even worse experience than we did.

Jessica Taylor-Bearman tells about the onset of her health issues, how she became house and then bed bound, and steadily deteriorated until a hospital stay was the only option. Whilst in hospital, Jessica spent a long length of time unable to move or communicate at all. She needed feeding through drips and tubes; physiotherapy daily to avoid muscle wastage; dark glasses (as in the title) because the light caused her severe discomfort; and experienced a variety of care from the health professionals she was dependent upon (some were unpleasant, callous and/or abusive).

This is not an easy read by any means, yet it is a brave and extremely memorable piece of work. The writing isn't exactly of a highly literary standard - but we are lucky that the author pushed herself to write at all, though it did prove therapeutic writing to 'Bug' her diary.

For anyone who is living with this devastating condition (which many refused for decades to believe was even real!), their friends/family members - or indeed anyone who has an interest in memoirs or the caring professions, I would recommend this book. At the very least, readers should hopefully come away with greater understanding and empathy for anyone going through chronic illness and fatigue diagnosis.

With thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this book, in return for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
As a member of the chronic illness community, I can somewhat relate to Jessica. This rollercoaster ride of a story is one that should prove to people (especially medical professionals) that ME is a real illness. When teenagers are typically having fun and hanging out with friends, Jessica shows her strength and bravery in battling the worst 4 years that ME forced on her. I feel like the book got somewhat repetitive but overall it's an eye-opener.

I've heard of ME before, but I didn't really know what it was, thankfully never had any friends or acquaintances who suffer from it. What an awful illness! This first-hand account was both fascinating and terrible, impossible for me to imagine. What a trooper Jessica is.

A sad story about a teenage girl who was perfectly healthy until her mid-teens then became so ill she was confined to a hospital hooked up to machines. I was a little puzzled because in the US her disease is called Chronic fatigue syndrome and normally isn't quite so severe but it was an interesting look into a very limited life.

I would like to thank Hashtag Press and Netgalley for this partnership.

I was immediately attracted by the cover, we see Jessica wearing black glasses, and the summary.

This autobiography particularly moved me. She tells us about Jessica's life fighting a neuro-immune disease called Myalgia Encephalomyelitis that she has had since she was fifteen years old. Before that, she was a teenager like any other. But she had to live in the hospital for years with tubes keeping her alive.

A poignant, captivating moving story written through the tech enabled journal dubbed: "bug" Jessica's dream was to be author and well she managed this one. I hope she will release another book, her pen is addictive and her book deserves to be known around the world. There are never enough books like that.

Powerful story about how the medical community doesn't believe women, children, and their bodies. Taylor-Bearman faces trauma of the body due to a little understood disease and multiple hospitals that view her more as an experiment than a person. She braves the disease, world, and life through the lens of closed eyes protected by glasses and an imagination to keep her sane. Warning, this memoir is not something to read if you are looking for a smile. It is dark and honest. If you have chronic pain or an invisible illness, you will find yourself in these words.

I would like to thank the publishers and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read A Girl Behind Dark Glasses in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
The book is written by Jessica -her journey,life and battle with M.E (myalgic encephalomyelitis) and how she survives through the severest form of M.E. It’s a true story about her hospital stays, going on years and how she was fed through a feeding tube. We are introduced to ‘Bug’ who is a fictional person that she writes to in form of a diary.. Her love of literature and her ambition to become an author comes through.
I first came across Jessica in the film Unrest and when I found this book I wanted to learn more about her. I found this book really interesting and inspirational. Jessica wears her heart on her sleeve and the way she grabs life and how determined she is. In some parts of the book I could empathise with her as I too suffer with this horrid illness. Reading the and seeing how mature and determined Jessica is has made me look at how I deal with my M.E and how I need to have more of an attitude like Jessica.
Be proud Jessica, continue to fight.

As a fellow sufferer of a severe case of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, as it's known in the States, I empathized with the heartbreaking tale of a life cut short, understood the frustration of dealing with the medical community, and thought this was a great story to get out there for others to try to see what this disease is all about. Though my experience with this illness is different, as all cases differ in severity and presentation, I believe the write hit the finer points of navigating an illness few can truly understand unless they unfortunately have it. But this is great way to start loved ones or even newly diagnosed patients with a window into this world.

People who are interested in Biographies / Autobiographies and Memoirs will want to read this book! This book was very well written and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I give this book 5 stars. Provided to me through NetGalley. Thank You!

A wonderful book that gives you insight into ME, a disease that people thought was imaginary.. Beautiful and brutally honest.
Strongly recommended if a little sad.

‘A Girl Behind Dark Glasses’ is the story of Jessica, who unexpectedly becomes ill in her early teens, and ended up suffering with M.E. Sadly, she is still largely afflicted by the illness, and this is her story of her many years of dealing with it. I am embarrassed to admit that I was in the group of people who thought M.E. Was pretty much a ‘made up’ illness and could not really understand what it was all about, so I am pleased to have read Jessica’s experience to finally understand that this is actually a horrendous neurological condition that is completely debilitating. Jessica appears so upbeat at times despite her troubles, and although it would be easy to dwell on all the years she has wasted in hospital, she recounts her experiences with positivity and strength. An eye-opening read which I would recommend.

This is a memoir about a girl with M.E. it is saddening and shows you a different world and an illness that many don't know about. However, it is also a book of strength.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion of it.