What do readers think about Jeffrey Hatcher’s book?
The book is particularly well written. Covering epilepsy through psychology and biology, and the amnesia that sufferers succumb to.
The book is a cry for more epilepsy research by the authorities. Not just by the syndication of the medical world. But also the need for better training of the psychologist ; psychotherapist and counselling community. To become more involved with the treatment of epilepsy. To recognise that it goes beyond the assessment of different types of seizures.
The quality of this work is that it is written from an observer environment, and through the eyes of a sufferer. Hatcher is able to intertwine articles and medical essays with a fictional adventure.
European Association for Counseling
“Tacking on the Styx” is a page turner, at times, so intense the reader has to stop to catch a breath. This book is brilliantly written and insightful in terms of self-revelation of the epileptic mind. “Tacking on the Styx” is a must read as soon as possible for the medical and psychological community, as well as for everybody else who has an inquisitive mind. If you have the guts to read this book, you will be a changed person.
– Sarah Barnes, M. ED.
“Jeff has woven an intricate tapestry of autobiographical, personal stories as well as brutal insights into the horrific experience of being an epileptic. Somehow he manages to embroider this with his dry wit and his humorous, introspective insights. In addition, his work is a plea to professionals to treat epilepsy as a mental disease. It’s a superior read for medical students and the rest of us.”
– Phil McGarvey, M.Div.
“Tacking on the Styx is a powerful and moving essay/fiction combo that raises more awareness about what epilepsy actually is while providing a story filled with romance, maneuvering through life as a grad student and struggling to manage a new diagnosis all at once.”
– Rebecca McNutt
Author Of Late I Think of Christine Chubbuck; Smog City; Danvers: the Reckoning
“Tacking on the Styx is a fascinating and unabashed look at epilepsy and cognition, unique from your usual psychology book in that it is also intertwined with both memoir and a fiction narrative, so a richer, more empathetic understanding and sense of individuality can be gained as you also learn more about epilepsy and neurology of the brain.
Can I say first that Tacking on the Styx is ridiculously in-depth. It could well be the definitive book on epilepsy. The narrative benefits the medical text strongly as well, which you might not expect. It reminds me of David B.’s graphic novel classic, Epileptic, though is more striking, being from an epileptic person’s viewpoint rather than their close relative as Epileptic was. I would recommend both to get the best understanding if it’s something you wish to know more about.”
– S.M. Shuford
Author Loverboy; Cosmic Love; Absolute Heaven
“Jeffrey Hatcher’s Tacking on the Styx is an incredible novel that succeeds on two levels. First, it’s a suspenseful story that follows the life of a Mr. Edgar Thomas Meyerhold, a man stricken with epilepsy as a graduate student. Complete with unexpected plot twists and romantic subplots, the tale holds your attention from beginning to end.
Without detracting from the pull of the story, the book also succeeds on another level: It gives the reader an intimate understanding of how it might feel to be an epileptic—it puts you in the mind of the main character. Sidebars within the book give enough technical information to allow the reader to understand the science behind the disease. . . “
– Al Macy
Author Sanity’s Thief; The Universe Next Door; Yesterday’s Thief
“A masterful approach to discussing epilepsy, weaving an entertaining fiction adventure in with a series of non-fiction essays.”
– Mark Lages
Author Team Charlie; Sixty Magnificent Years; Hula Ville and Other Short Stories
Tacking on the Styx 