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Simon Fitzmaurice
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It's Not Yet Dark: A Memoir Kindle Edition

by Simon Fitzmaurice (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 435 ratings
Editors' pick Best Biographies & Memoirs
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An international bestselling memoir about an Irishman who chose to live life to the fullest after his diagnosis of ALS.

In 2008, Simon Fitzmaurice was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was given four years to live. In 2010, in a state of lung-function collapse, Simon knew with crystal clarity he was not ready to die. Against all prevailing medical opinion, he chose life. Despite the loss of almost all motor function, thanks to miraculous technology, he continued to work, raise his five children, and write this astonishing memoir. It’s Not Yet Dark is a journey into a life that, though brutally compromised, was lived more fully than most, revealing the potent power of love, of art, and of the human spirit. Written using an eye-gaze computer, this is an unforgettable book about relationships and family, about what connects and separates us as people, and, ultimately, about what it means to be alive.

International Bestseller
A Barnes & Noble Discover Pick
A Barnes & Noble Best Biography of the Year
An iBooks Best Book of the Month
An Amazon Best Memoir of the Month

“A fiercely eloquent testament to making the most out of every moment we’re given.”—People, Book of the Week 

“Vibrant.”—Minneapolis Star Tribune

“Beautifully written. Utterly life-affirming.”—Alan Rickman
 
“A beautiful love story—in its essence that's what this is. Survival stories are not about surviving, they're inherently about what makes a survivor push through. A desire to remain in the light of all creation, even as a darkening is taking place. A darkening which happens to us all.”—Colin Farrell
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  1. Print length
    194 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Mariner Books
  5. Publication date
    August 1, 2017
  6. File size
    1923 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

The word 'inspirational' is over-used, but if ever a book deserved this epithet, this is it.

-- "Sunday Independent (London)"

Part memoir, part stark document of the way [Simon] and his family have dealt with motor-neuron disease, and part fierce celebration of being alive, It's Not Yet Dark is powerful, gripping and compelling.

-- "Irish Times"

Sparsely and beautifully written...the human spirit and will to live shines out of these pages.

-- "Irish Independent"

This book will touch the many corners of your heart. A blending of the hope and anticipation of adulthood with unavoidable fear and pain of a terminal illness.

-- "Mystery Suspense Reviews"

A life-affirming chronicle...In a particularly effective section, Fitzmaurice suddenly plunges into his life before ALS...Just as quickly, we are brought back to the present. It's a marvelous narrative device that's not often encountered in memoirs and fully cements readers' identification with the author.

-- "Library Journal"

The heart of this inspirational book is Fitzmaurice's perseverance...and his unflagging belief 'in the power to take what life throws at you and slowly to come back, to take all you have and not be crushed by sadness and loss.'

-- "Publishers Weekly"

[A] gripping, affecting, sometimes funny read by a natural-born storyteller with something to say about the weight and the value of a life...If you need a story of courage, of heart, of coming back for more, of love and struggle and the power of both, It's Not Yet Dark could be the elusive thing you're after.

-- "Joseph O'Connor, author of The Thrill of It All"

A fine and heartfelt memoir from an author hopeful in his determination to endure against the odds.

-- "Kirkus Reviews"

Beautifully written. Utterly life-affirming.

-- "Alan Rickman, Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor"

Survival stories are not about surviving, they're inherently about what makes a survivor push through. A desire to remain in the light of all creation, even as a darkening is taking place. A darkening which happens to us all.

-- "Colin Farrell, award-winning actor"

About the Author

SIMON FITZMAURICE was an award-winning writer and film director. His debut memoir, It’s Not Yet Dark, was a #1 bestseller upon its release Ireland, has been nominated for the Bord Gáis Book of the Year Award, and was ranked #2 in Liveline’s Writer’s Book of the Year. His films have screened at film festivals all over the world and won prizes at home and abroad, including Best Short Film at the Cork Film Festival and the Belfast Film Festival (twice); the Grand Jury Prize at the Opalcine Film Festival, Paris; the Jimmy Stewart Memorial Award at the Heartland Film Festival; and Jury Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. His short film The Sound of People was selected to screen at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival. Simon held honors master’s degrees in both Anglo-Irish literature and drama, and film theory and production. His short fiction has been short-listed for the Hennessy Literary Award, and his poetry has appeared in the quarterly publication West 47. His first feature film, My Name Is Emily, was just released in both the UK and the United States. He died in October 2017. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; their five children, Jack, Raife, Arden, Sadie, and Hunter; and their basset hound, Pappy.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B06XT1QRM7
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mariner Books; Reprint edition (August 1, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 1, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1923 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 194 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 435 ratings

About the author

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Simon Fitzmaurice

Simon Fitzmaurice

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SIMON FITZMAURICE was an award-winning writer and film director. His debut memoir, It’s Not Yet Dark, was a #1 bestseller upon its release Ireland, has been nominated for the Bord Gáis Book of the Year Award, and was ranked #2 in Liveline’s Writer’s Book of the Year. His films have screened at film festivals all over the world and won prizes at home and abroad, including Best Short Film at the Cork Film Festival and the Belfast Film Festival (twice); the Grand Jury Prize at the Opalcine Film Festival, Paris; the Jimmy Stewart Memorial Award at the Heartland Film Festival; and Jury Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. His short film The Sound of People was selected to screen at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival. Simon held honors master’s degrees in both Anglo-Irish literature and drama, and film theory and production. His short fiction has been short-listed for the Hennessy Literary Award, and his poetry has appeared in the quarterly publication West 47. His first feature film, My Name Is Emily, was just released in both the UK and the United States. He died in October 2017. He is survived by his wife, Ruth; their five children, Jack, Raife, Arden, Sadie, and Hunter; and their basset hound, Pappy.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
435 global ratings
It will make you cry and hug your loved a little tighter
5 Stars
It will make you cry and hug your loved a little tighter
It will make you cry and hug your loved a little tighter. I would highly recommend It’s Not Yet Dark by Simon Fitzmaurice. I had to take s few days to really think about this story and how I would reflect and process what I had read. •This memoir is written by Fitzmaurice that was diagnosed with ALS in 2008. He tells his story about his life, his wife, his children, his career and the disease that was supposed to take his life almost immediately. He goes into exciting detail about his career as a filmmaker. But also great detail about ALS. This story is written very well and you are glad to be alive and healthy when reading it, but no one can read about this journey and not shed a tear. He reminds us “to remember behind every disease is a person.” There is no need to stare or be scared because that person didn’t choose this life but they will fight like hell to live this life.
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Top reviews from the United States

Susan M. Baumann
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, Transcendent and Life-Affirming
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2017
Verified Purchase
There is no more life-affirming book than this. The stark beauty and wisdom within will make you shiver, cry and cheer. Fitzmaurice has created an awe-inspiring masterpiece that is profound, yet deceptively simple. Quiet passages will grab you by the throat, and shake the reader from the stupor of complacency. Fitzmaurice has ALS, but knows more about the intrinsic value of life than most of the people I've met. His ferocious will to live and unwavering insistence on being a participant can teach us all what it means to be truly alive. Fitzmaurice chooses life in all its glory, pain, difficulty and joy, because he has love and an undaunted desire to create. He chooses to witness, to interpret, to think and to partake in all that life has to offer. I shudder to think of those in the medical community who abhorrently attempted to suggest that his life should be abbreviated, surrendered and extinguished. No one has the right to determine the value and length of another person's existence. Fitzsmaurice has the enduring devotion of a loving wife, the joy watching his children thrive and the ability to render lyrical prose from extremely challenging circumstances. Without trying to be, Fitzmaurice is the very embodiment of what it means to be resilient. This is a small, but utterly exquisite book. The author's deep appreciation for life shines throughout. Fitzmaurice drinks it in like a banquet, refusing to let go. I applaud and admire the sheer tenacity to meet life on his own terms, defiant, unapologetic and grateful. Mr. Fitzmaurice, may the powerful life force that propels you forward continue to burn brightly for as long as you wish. Stunning book. Highly recommended.
5 people found this helpful
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Minneapolis listener
4.0 out of 5 stars A book written and narrated with joy
Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2017
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ALS is a hellish disease, but the author has a lot to say and says it with spirit. Excellent narration.
One person found this helpful
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KoiMom
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating
Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2020
Verified Purchase
This is a relatively short book but one packed with emotion & inspiration. It is sad yet comforting. Mr. Fitzmaurice was a gifted creator, writer, filmmaker, husband & father who experienced much in his abbreviated life. He chose a path of endurance & survived beyond anyone's wildest expectations. Despite the odds, he found time to share some of his experiences both good & challenging during his time on Earth. This book is gentle in its raw emotion & simplicity ... & overwhelmingly powerful. He has left us all with his sweet memories of a life well lived. R.I.P.
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jerrycooler
5.0 out of 5 stars Must, Must Read!
Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2018
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What can i say. This book is so beautifully written. I watched the documentary on Netflix on a recent flight and was so sucked in I decided to read the book as well. It's a short read, but Simon's writing is incredibly descriptive and full of heart. He works with words like an artist works with oils or clay. This might be the first time I literally couldn't put a book down. What a talented and amazing man, husband and father. Everyone should give themselves the gift of reading this book.
4 people found this helpful
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Shadow Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Bravo!
Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2017
Verified Purchase
Yes! Live every day to the fullest you can with love of your life, your family, friends, books, travels and do what you love to do. The book is a portrait of young mans everyday fight to live meaningfully and joyfully while battling life threatening disease. It is life affirming but more then anything it is a love story. As per author’s intentions it touched my soul. Bravo!
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Jessica
3.0 out of 5 stars Resounding and uplifting story of a man with als who overcame his diagnosis
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2017
Verified Purchase
“Hope is not about looking for a cure to a disease. Hope is a way of living. We often think we are entitled to a long and fruitful Coca-Cola life. But life is a privilege, not a right. I feel privileged to be alive. That’s hope.”

It’s not yet dark sheds light on the diagnosis of ALS. The disease is more intense & demanding than I was educated about, but what I learned more from this book was where the sheer will to live can take you. It took this man beyond what was the custom in Ireland at that time point. It took him beyond what the books say of the life expectancy of someone suffering from this terrible disease. His sheer will to live taught him far more than the disease did earning him more children, more experiences, more adventures and more time to love all the while pursuing his dreams!

There was a section in the book that seemed to jump from one thing to the next which is why I gave it a lower rating, but after 20 or so pages seemed to jump right back on track.
2 people found this helpful
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Sam
4.0 out of 5 stars Beware of this Seller ~ product was not in new condition.
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2021
Verified Purchase
I am suspect that the book I received was not new. There is a label that had been removed (glue was still present) and the jacket cover was torn. A sticker was placed on the binding but was half curled and dirty. The binding seemed too easy to open as if the book had been forced flat to read the pages. I do not recommend this seller/store. Authorized purchase as New Product.
THE AUTHOR PRESENTED AN INFORMATIVE STORY OF ALS. Information invaluable for newly diagnosed and loved ones.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning
Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2017
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This is one of the most beautiful books I've read. It's a love story about Fitzmaurice's love for his wonderful wife Ruth and their family, the art of filmmaking, and his wondrous appreciation for all types of life's beauty. Powerful. Poetic. Loved every single sentence and was so sad when it ended. Now I'm going to find and watch his movies.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Rob Barrie
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read - inspired me, so much I got a related tattoo.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 24, 2020
Verified Purchase
Good read - inspired me, so much I got a related tattoo.
I have MND/ALS, It's Not Yet Dark an inspiring read -- A must read for anyone.
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Rob Barrie
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read - inspired me, so much I got a related tattoo.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 24, 2020
Good read - inspired me, so much I got a related tattoo.
I have MND/ALS, It's Not Yet Dark an inspiring read -- A must read for anyone.
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