No Mistaken Identity (You're Not You)

Michelle Wildgen's You're Not You was recommended to me by my high school English teacher, who doubled as my neighbour in the small Wisconsin town where I grew up. She and her family were ever-present figures during my childhood, and I particularly looked up to her three daughters (all quite a bit older than me) who seemed so mature and cool in their Levi's and Guess sweatshirts.

Wildgen is a close friend of her middle daughter, who was an early reader of the book. Although You're Not You is Wildgen's first novel, she is senior editor for the literary magazine Tin House and an editor for Tin House books. She has also published various essays and contributed to two culinary books.

Wildgen's debut begins with Bec applying for a carer position she sees advertised in the newspaper. As the story moves forward, the reader comes to understand how out of character this is for Bec, a college student who is aimlessly pursuing a major she hates, as well as an affair with a married professor. Although she has no medical or healthcare experience, she gets the job and is immediately immersed in the culturally-rich, but inevitably difficult life of Kate, a married, 30-something with Lou Gehrig's disease.

That said, this book is not about a terrible, debilitating illness as much as it's about relationships and the human spirit. It would have been very easy to let Lou Gehrig's take precedence over the plot, characterisation and story, but Wildgen is very clear in her motive of portraying Kate as an exceptional human being who has been afflicted with, but not weakened by, disease. In fact, Bec is the true victim of the story, and Kate is her healer.

I think Wildgen's greatest achievement for this book is the character of Bec. It is rare to see such character depth in a debut novel and, even then, it can be clumsily and amateurly done, but Bec is a faultless narrator, using her voice and past experiences to propel the story forward. The setting of the novel--Madison, Wisconsin--is also particularly reminiscent for me, and the detailed descriptions of many locations certainly made me homesick.

I know that Michelle Wildgen has received a lot of acclaim for You're Not You in the US (a segment in People magazine being a highlight) and I cannot think of a more worthy author or novel. I'll definitely be promoting her on this side of the 'pond,' biding my time and waiting for her next book.