''So Lucky: A Novel'' is an autobiographical novel by

Nicola Griffith Nicola Griffith (; born 30 September 1960) is a British American novelist, essayist, and teacher. She has won the Washington State Book Award (twice), Nebula Award, James Tiptree, Jr. Award, World Fantasy Award, ''Los Angeles Times'' Book Priz ...

, published May 15, 2018 by MCD x FSG Originals. The book follows Mara Tagarelli as she is diagnosed with

multiple sclerosis Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease resulting in damage to myelinthe insulating covers of nerve cellsin the brain and spinal cord. As a demyelinating disease, MS disrupts the nervous system's ability to Action potential, transmit ...

(MS) and must step down from her role as director for a multi-million AIDS organization. All the while, a serial killer is targeting individuals with MS.

Reception

A number of reviews focused on the book's representation of

. June Sawyer, writing for ''

Booklist ''Booklist'' is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. ''Booklist''s primary audience consists of libraries, educators, and booksellers. The magazine is ...

'', noted, "Griffith, who has herself been diagnosed with MS, presents a fresh and powerful novel and antidote to the sense of victimhood." Dana Hansen of the ''

Chicago Review of Books The ''Chicago Review of Books'' is an online literary publication of StoryStudio Chicago that reviews recent books covering diverse genres, presses, voices, and media. The magazine was started in 2016 by founding editor Adam Morgan. It is consi ...

'' echoed the sentiment, stating, "Far too little fiction reflects the experiences and realities of those with disabilities, and when it does, it often reads as an exercise in tokenism. In ''So Lucky'', a disconcerting but very necessary book, Griffith presents a protagonist with substance, complexity, and purpose. Mara is so much more than her diagnosis and limitations, but her story underlines the insidiousness of ableism and the lamentable mistreatment and neglect of the chronically ill and disabled among us."

Lambda Literary Foundation The Lambda Literary Foundation (also known as Lambda Literary) is an American LGBTQ literary organization whose mission is to nurture and advocate for LGBTQ writers, elevating the impact of their words to create community, preserve their legaci ...

's Anne Charles wrote, "The world of Nicola Griffith’s ''So Lucky'' is governed by ableist misconception and ignorance, but it is also marked by hope and human connection ... It’s a narrative that at once informs, confronts, puzzles and engages. I have little doubt that readers who take it up will be rewarded." ''

Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of ...

'' added, "Anyone who’s ever struggled with medical adversity will be inspired." ''The New York Times'''s

Amal El-Mohtar Amal El-Mohtar (born 13 December 1984) is a Canadian poet and writer of speculative fiction. She is the editor of ''Goblin Fruit'' and reviews science fiction and fantasy books for the ''New York Times Book Review'' and is best known for the 2019 ...

called the book "a compact, brutal story of losing power and creating community, fast-paced as a punch in the face." El-Mohtar continued, saying, the book was "beautifully written, with a flexible, efficient precision that embodies the protagonist’s voice and character." ''

Kirkus ''Kirkus Reviews'' is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus. The magazine's publisher, Kirkus Media, is headquartered in New York City. ''Kirkus Reviews'' confers the annual Kirkus Prize to authors of fiction, non ...

'' described ''So Lucky'' as " narrative of disability and its consequences" and provided a poor review, stating the book was " iginal but disappointing." '' Autrostraddle'' named ''So Lucky'' one of the best LGBT Books of 2018, and ''

The Boston Globe ''The Boston Globe,'' also known locally as ''the Globe'', is an American daily newspaper founded and based in Boston, Massachusetts. The newspaper has won a total of 27 Pulitzer Prizes. ''The Boston Globe'' is the oldest and largest daily new ...

'' named it one of the best novels of the year.

References

{{Reflist 2018 American novels English-language literature Novels about lesbian topics Books about diseases and disorders Novels about disability British LGBTQ novels 2018 LGBTQ-related literary works Novels by Nicola Griffith