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"This book is wonderful... beautifully written, covering so much ground yet with exquisite economy, deep insight, a coherent timeline, a fine sense of relevance and judgment, and a lovely balance between detachment and engagement (and also, I think, between assertiveness and humility). These qualities all add up to a natural and gifted story! It is a story of recovery that holds the reader's attention at every step of the way. Superbly put together."
Professor Michael Coper, 1946 - 2019
ANU College of Law
Molly, a successful law professor, had a bicycle accident, suffered a severe Traumatic Brain Injury, and was in a coma for 68 days. This story follows her injury, treatment, rehabilitation and rediscovery of herself.
The road to regaining awareness, self-perception and memory was long, embarrassing and often painful. Molly managed to recover well and has returned to teaching law and to writing. Into this book, she integrated stories from her teaching, law practice, and family life. These vignettes are often funny, pitiful and sometimes they glow with hope.
The book tells what it feels like to be in a coma, to emerge from a coma and to recover a sense of self. It recounts the work needed to rehabilitate and to compensate for the weaknesses and losses that remain even years after the injury. Molly has gained a new patience and empathy – which are subtle and important superpowers for teaching law students. The story will evoke a mixture of pity and humor that will stay with the reader.
"There is a very profound insight at the start of the book about people not truly being aware of how others see them being a broader human condition. Perhaps TBI has given a greater insight into true identity."
Professor Kim Rubenstein
Co-Director 50/50 by 2030 Foundation
Canberra University
"Wit, courage and curiosity shine through this remarkable story of resilience. Molly tells her story of recovery from a cycling brain injury as she teaches a class and entertains friends with insight, intelligence, humour and warmth. From science to song, it is inspiring to read of Molly's determination to reclaim her life, and of her husband Charley's loving support."
Professor Simon Rice
Kim Santow Chair of Law and Social Justice
University of Sydney Law School
About the author
Molly Townes O'Brien was born in Nashville, Tennessee and grew up in a musical family, playing and singing country and folk songs with her brothers and sisters. She still plays guitar and sings songs that her audience sometimes finds funny. She now lives with her husband Charley Lineweaver in Canberra. She has two sons, Cyrus and Joseph, who live in the US and Adelaide. During the day, she is an Associate Professor at the ANU College of Law, where she teaches various law courses including Evidence, Litigation and Dispute Management, and Human Rights Law in Australia. Molly has served on the law faculties of Emory University, University of Akron and University of Wollongong. She has an A.B. from Brown University (1982), a J.D. from Northeastern University (1986), and an LL.M. from Temple University (1997). She has written on race politics, criminal law, trial advocacy and student wellbeing. She has also written and made presentations relating to her recovery from a severe traumatic brain injury that occurred in 2012.
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