My Life in a Nutshell: A Novel is the story of one man's struggles with debilitating anxiety. Brian Cunningham has severely isolated himself, and while lonely, he feels powerless to change his life. Unexpectedly, his safe little world is invaded by one Abigail Harris, a seven-year-old girl who has bounced from foster home to foster home until recent placement with an aunt and uncle she has never known. Unsure if she can trust her new environment, she turns to Brian. Neither quite knows how to live in the world. Can they possibly help each other?
"a truly fine work that entertains, as well as informs."
"My Life in a Nutshell is riveting, gripping, and quite exceptional as it takes us on an extra-ordinarily emotional journey. Quite a remarkable read!"
"As in her previous novels, Peterson demonstrates a tender, notably human understanding of mental illness....[S]he accurately captures the crushing sensations of anxiety disorder[s] while simultaneously offering rays of hope. A vital tool for sufferers and their families that broadens understanding of a debilitating illness."
"No other text, unless it is her acclaimed book Leave of Absence, leads the reader into the world of mental illness in such an impactful way. This is a masterfully written book that everyone should read."
"[My Life in a Nutshell] gets inside the experience of a sufferer in a way that no case history or other non-fiction text ever can."
