Home Bald in the Land of Big Hair

Bald in the Land of Big Hair

Joni Rodgers ISBN 0-06-095526-0 Reviewed by Ann Town, New South Wales Joni Rodgers has a wicked sense of humour as she explains her true-life story of how she dealt with daily life after having a diagnosis of cancer. Her unusual style of writing can be hard to follow at first but once you get started the book is hard to put down. Joni has a theatrical flair to her writing and she is a very flamboyant character. One of the many insights in the book is when Joni gives examples of how people feel compelled to give free health advice and some of the wacky ideas they suggest such as coffee enemas and Bolivian healing knee socks. I also enjoyed the way she wrote a satirical play about a doctor's appointment making the people come to life with her witty banter. Joni shares her feelings on being bald in the land of big hair and how it had an overwhelming impact on her life it also affected her self esteem. The true account of Joni's sex life gave an honest if not somewhat confronting overview of this time of her life. She talks about her faith, which was challenged during her treatment and how she becomes much more accepting by the end of her treatment. The chapter where she talks about platitudes that people offer is very funny. She gives some excellent examples of what people say and how insensitive and cold they came be without even knowing it. I love the simplistic definition of cancer give by Joni's son, he said, "cancer is what happens when your cells decide to go funky". Joni describes cancer as being "not what I am" she also said "it is not a gift or a curse it is a profound learning experience". I couldn't agree more with this statement. I enjoyed reading an honest account of how Joni dealt with her life during and after cancer treatment. The challenges she faced with everyday life and her immediate family and friends. She gave vivid insight into the often roller coaster ride of having cancer and how life is never the same again.  Two things become very important to her they were surviving and healing. Joni chose to be enlightened by her experience not embittered. The views expressed in this review are not necessarily the views of Breast Cancer Network Australia Would you like to provide a review for this book?  If so please contact us at  for more information