In "A Petit Mal," Ana Maria Caballero delivers a poignant exploration of her family's journey with her son's epilepsy diagnosis, intertwining it with a thought-provoking examination of Western medicine versus alternative healing practices. Caballero's narrative grips readers with its candid portrayal of navigating illness and spirituality, presenting a compelling page-turner. This boldly innovative book transcends mere advocacy for wellness, offering a practical yet profound perspective on life's challenges. Relevant to audiences interested in holistic well-being, A Petit Mal invites introspection into the complexities of health and healing, urging readers to consider diverse approaches with an open mind and heart.

I’m afraid I could not get very far in this book, which is written in chafingly broken English, sans articles (definite and indefinite). The prose reads like speech produced by a robot. It grates. Page after page of this? No thanks. I was not up for the struggle.

Here’s an example of what I mean from the very first page:
“Do not stop reading for fear this will be sad. It will not. Not the entire way through. No longer than the duration of moment of event. Sad because of child, and even not being parent, sadness wrought by ill child experienced vividly, is readily accessible, in adult form. Even when not experienced directly as a specific sequence of events within own singular story of life.”

No, I didn’t stop reading because of a fear of sadness, but because I cannot stand reading prose like this.

Not recommended.