An interesting account of immense exertion, and a fascinating creative process. ( )

A young Chinese Canadian woman — an artist and musician — on vacation in the Caribbean has a headache and pops an ibuprofen only to find herself having an extreme and rare reaction called toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). Her skin itches and begins peeling off and her body starts to shut down. She awakes from a coma months later to find her body covered in scar tissue that is encroaching on her sight and hearing.

Through these terrifying events and a long, slow recovery, Vivian Chong's whole world seems to shrink and go away, but she is determined to redefine herself and continue to express herself through her creativity. I am horrified by what she has endured and in awe of what she continues to accomplish in the face of so many challenges. ( )