Life, Interrupted - James McConnel

Growing up as 'a percussive child', James McConnel describes life in a family overshadowed by the tragic death of his sister. He finds some solace in his talent for piano playing but gradually comes to realise that the incontrollable sniffs, coughs, and faces might not just be a 'funny little habit' or 'just a phase' but a need, a compulsion to be satisfied until it 'feels just right'.



An inspirational music teacher nurtures his gift for the piano but a moped accident dramatically quashes his dreams of becoming a concert pianist. Passion, resilience and luck combine to win him a coveted place at the Royal College of Music but irrepressible shouts and jerks, difficult relationships and alcoholism see him abandon this course, unable to shake feelings of inadequacy and freakishness and of being a 'nearly' person.



At the age of 32, he was finally diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome and was at long last able to understand his twitches and obsessions, and feel comfortable in his own skin. LIFE, INTERRUPTED is written with an intimacy, immediacy and humour that shows James McConnel as the endearing, charming larger-than-life character that he is.