Blurb

After being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, and successfully treated, she wanted to do something to help others. Having previously lost her own mother, mother in law, auntie and friend to the disease, she understood only too well, the fear receiving a cancer diagnosis brought. 

“I didn't want Molly growing up scared. I wanted to give her a positive message. If I could laugh it allowed her and others to laugh with me. After all I had the easy job, I just had to take the drugs and stay positive, it was far tougher for Alan and Molly. When I started writing Beware of Falling Coconuts, I was terrified. I didn't want to revisit that place in my head. I was scared to go back….I wasn't sure if it was a play, a book, or just a lot of nonsense. I wanted to do this not just for Molly, but for all the brave women and men who hadn't been as lucky as me.”

Gillian was inspired by the courage of people she met, who showed her that there was humour to be found even in the most bizarre situations. From losing her hair to losing her memory, there was one clear message: 

Top Quotes

“I lost my boob not my sense of humor.”

"Within every problem there is a gift for you."

"Mind you it show that a positive attitude can truly get you through anything."

My review

It takes courage to write such a book as Gillian McNeill has written. Her story of cancer, her experiences, memories, and her triumphant win over it. No matter how lightly you decide to take it, the experience of the discovery, the mastectomy, and the radiation treatment must have been harrowing without a doubt. And reliving all that to write this book and presenting it in such a fun way is not a task possible for the weak-hearted.

I loved the title. It immediately gives an impression that although the book's theme is sordid-cancer, the author has a light side to her, and she is going to be fun to read.

I shed tears many times, not because of the pain and suffering Gillian went through (of course, I felt the pain) but because I was laughing-out-loud non-stop owing to the author’s hilarious sense of humor. The hilarious speech to herself when fantasizing about flying a plane during her first flight to Tampa and the experience with the plastic surgeon were my favorite chapters.

This book reminded me of the famous John Green Novel, the fault in our stars. The humor in that book, too, is witty but dark due to the disease's knowledge.

The chapter names – Saints and Synners, What the FEC, The Plastic Surgeon, Swiss cheese –are so well thought out and again so funny. I went back to each chapter name after reading it to understand its importance and do justice to this supreme effort.

The book took me back to the horrors of my hospital days during the birth of my daughter. I could not help but relate to the fact that no matter how much everybody tells you how it’s going to be, each baby is different, and hence each pregnancy is different. Every experience is new and scary and sometimes too embarrassing. So is fighting cancer. At least at the end of a delivery, there is the sweet reward of a beautiful baby. Still, there are no such promises at the end of a cancer journey, and my heart really went out to Gilly for having faced the journey three times with her mother, her mother-in-law, and then herself.

It was wondrous to read that Gillian kept working and pursuing her love for acting even during her battle. Her story is a guide book for people fighting cancer or families and friends fighting cancer. She gives so many pointers to family and friends about what they should do and should not do.

The author has also shared candid pictures of her entire journey, even the awkward ones. I loved that because that is what life is with its imperfect moments and lovely memories. At the end of the book, there is a small chapter by her little kid Molly sharing her experience of her discovery about her mom’s disease. My heart went out to the little girl.

Final Verdict

Gillian’s story re-emphasized the value of family support for me and reminded me that there awaits a beautiful morning beyond the darkest of night.

I rate this remarkable memoir 5 out of 5 stars and recommend everyone read it to learn how to truly and fully live a life.