A free philosophical essay, Hypochondria combines sharp contemporary cultural criticism, colorful literary history, and the author's own experience of chronic health anxiety to ask what we can learn from an obsessive person's uncomfortable experience of their body.The Illusion of Disease is distinguished by its diverse references, from the writings of Franz Kafka to innovative and fluid readings of the theories of thinkers such as Lauren Berlant. Whether discussing Seinfeld, John Donne, or his personal past, Rhys reveals himself as a wry and insightful critic, exploring the reasons and costs of our desire for certainty.
In a humorous and erudite style, The Illusion of Illness shows both the rewards and dangers of reading (too closely) common but often overlooked aspects of our daily lives.
