The Sunday Times Bestseller

From the award-winning writer of The Times Magazine's 'Spinal Column': a deeply moving, darkly funny, inspirational memoir

‘It’s beautiful – full of love and light – and an exploration into not only how, but why we survive, despite everything’ Christie Watson, author of The Language of Kindness

On Good Friday, 2010 Melanie Reid fell from her horse, breaking her neck and fracturing her lower back. She was 52.

Paralysed from the top of her chest down, she was to spend almost a full year in hospital, determinedly working towards gaining as much movement in her limbs as possible, and learning to navigate her way through a world that had previously been invisible to her.

As a journalist Melanie had always turned to words and now, on a spinal ward peopled by an extraordinary array of individuals who were similarly at sea, she decided that writing would be her life-line. The World I Fell Out Of is an account of that year, and of those that followed. It is the untold ‘back story’ behind Melanie’s award-winning ‘Spinal Column’ in The Times Magazine and a testament to ‘the art of getting on with it’.

Unflinchingly honest and beautifully observed, this is a wise and inspiring memoir about risk and dilemma, heroism and love . Above all, The World I Fell Out Of is a reminder that at any moment the life we know can be turned upside down – and a plea to start appreciating what we have while we have it.

Melanie Reid's autobiography is a powerful narrative of survival in the face of adversity. As a Sunday Times bestselling author, she brings a unique perspective to the experiences of patients with disabilities.

For fans of Richard Coles (Fathomless Riches), Jodi Picoult (The Book of Two Ways), Raynor Winn (Landlines), Janice Galloway (All Made Up), and Royd Tolkien (There's a Hole in my Bucket).

The World I Fell Out Of: The Inspiring Sunday Times Bestseller

The World I Fell Out Of: The Inspiring Sunday Times Bestseller