The Noelle Situation
High school student Phoenix Hudson can’t help but spend hours thinking through her views of what life Is and Is Not, and the various forms and natures of love. One day during the summer she wakes to find her father gone, leaving no clue but a note on the counter and Phoenix to fend for herself. But as the money runs out, it’s not long until the reality of her situation catches up with her. Noelle Davis has drifted through her adult life not really connected to the world since the tragic events of her past. Constantly stuck in the world of what used to be, it isn’t until she notices a student in her class that she begins to question life again. Have they really found their way forward, or will the emotions they discover bring them to pieces?
The Act of Constant Drowning
There is no guidebook for how to be human—especially one navigating the arduous terrain of physical and mental health struggles. There are no checklists that can accurately prepare a person for how to be disabled, and no clear-cut instructions for living independently as someone who cannot always thrive alone.
There are, however, other people’s stories.
The Act of Constant Drowning provides a lighthearted yet raw glimpse into the life of its author, Iona Stuart. From her first diagnosis at the age of 14, through boarding school and into adulthood, Iona details her experiences living with illness. The honest storytelling enables readers to understand the thought patterns, physical sensations, and emotional tolls embodied in life with MS, epilepsy, disordered eating, and depression.
Though the journey described is intensely personal, the most significant takeaway is the importance of human connection. Through our interactions with others—both good and bad—and the stories we share, we can learn how to survive our unique human experience.