A Smell of Burning

“ [A] brilliant, tender book… An extraordinary work of love and art, which left me choked with tears. ”

Maggie Gee, Observer

“ A moving memoir as well as a historical study of epilepsy… With verve and sensitivity, Grant tells the stories of individual sufferers. ”

James McConnachie, Sunday Times, Book of the Year

“ Grant’s exploration of the literary, political, medical and scientific history of epilepsy is hugely compelling; his telling of the story of two brothers transcends the book’s twin genres and leaves us with a wry, gentle masterpiece. ”

Seamus Sweeney, Times Literary Supplement

“ A fascinating personal and historical account. ***** ”

Helen Brown, Sunday Telegraph

“ A flawless amalgam of personal memoir, mind science and medical history. ”

Ian Thomson, Spectator

“ In writing A Smell of Burning… Grant may yet save more lives as a writer than he did as a doctor. ”

Helen Brown, Daily Telegraph

“ As a memoir of Christopher’s trajectory of illness it is tenderly expressed, and the book is a poignant evocation of grief and regret. ”

Gavin Francis, Guardian

“ He brings a core of expert knowledge and skill as a communicator to the story… [An] absorbing and sometimes horrifying tale. ”

John Gribbon, Literary Review

“ At its best is like the works of other medics-turned-authors Atul Gawande and Henry Marsh. ”

Tom Whipple, The Times

“ [Grant] helps us gain an eminently accessible insight into a world that…is still shrouded in mystery. It is a touching tale of brotherly love. ”

Helen Davies, Sunday Times

“ [A] moving memoir. ”

Sarah Stacey, Daily Mail

“ An enthralling and eclectic account. ”

Caroline Sanderson, Bookseller

“ A readable and informative book that should help to lay to rest some of the many misconceptions about the condition. ”

Kate Whiting, Scotsman

“ A brilliant evocation of a young man’s difficult relationship with a stigmatized disease. ”

Suzanne O'Sullivan, Lancet

“ A scholarly yet highly readable account of the history of – as well as current thinking on – epilepsy. ”

Tony Gould, Oldie

“ Thanks to A Smell of Burning we are encouraged to put into question our own perceptions of what constitutes balance and harmony, in our brains, our minds, and the world around us. ”

Dr Maria Vaccarella, British Medical Journal

“ An informative book that will hopefully encourage readers to show more empathy. ”

Natalie Bowen, Northern Echo

“ Fascinating, moving and deeply personal. ”

Bookseller

“ Written by a former medic whose younger brother was an epileptic, this is a superb personal and historical account of the effect the condition has on the lives of sufferers and those around them ”

Daily Telegraph

“ This is a sharply poignant and sad memoir. It’s also a brilliant historical and medical analysis. ”

William Leith, Evening Standard