Jonathan Strong

'to Sleep, Perchance...': the Autobiography of a Narcoleptic Jonathan Strong

'To Sleep... Perchance ...' is the story of one's man's battle against an incurable and life-wrecking complaint - Narcolepsy. This is a retrospective journey through the better part of half a century, tracing the many career changes, sackings, resignations, heartaches and disappointments that have been the hallmark of this debilitating disorder. From falling asleep whilst in command of armoured fighting vehicles in the sixties, 'nodding off' on horseback, 'snoozing' on parade before royalty; to 'snoring' at management meetings, walking 'zombie-like' into oncoming stacker-trucks, falling face-down into steaming dishes in restaurants, and 'turning to jelly' on experiencing emotions such as joy or sorrow have been just some of the embarrassing incidents that have punctuated the author's life. At times comic, at times tragically sad, 'To Sleep Perchance' follows the author's struggle to survive, and maintain his very sanity in the face of ignorance and indifference, not merely amongst one's colleagues, family, and friends - but even amongst the medical profession itself. As the reader is taken through the many role changes in his life, from soldier to salesman, clerical assistant to assistant cleric; controller of production to prisoner of corruption, director's table to prisoner's fable, and finally from strange buddies to academic studies, we gain an insight of what it is like to be a captive of this twilight world.