Australian writers, Jamila Rizvi and Rosie Waterland are unlikely friends. This odd couple met while working together at Mama Mia online and are now co-authors. Their book, Broken Brains is about their unvarnished lived experiences with different forms of brain sickness.
The Sydney Opera House was the first stop on the pair’s book tour. It was a book launch that was helmed by fellow Aussie author, Benjamin Law. The three shared a great chemistry throughout this afternoon gig. The girls were forthcoming and candid in answering both Law’s and the audience’s questions.
Some readers may be familiar with Rizvi and Waterland’s stories if they’ve read Waterland’s memoirs and are following Rizvi’s work. Jamila Rizvi was diagnosed with a rare brain tumour aged 31. As she navigated her diagnosis, she had a great friend in Rosie Waterland. The latter christened the tumour “Jam’s jerky” and wanted it displayed in a jar. Jokes aside, Waterland was no stranger to having a ‘broken brain’ as she has dealt with significant trauma, including multiple mental illnesses following a childhood of abuse and neglect.
The pair originally set out to write a book where they would interview some experts and various individuals with similar lived experiences to their own. They thought Rizvi would write about physical health impacts and Waterland would write all about mental health. What they learned was that human beings don’t experience things in such neat, little packages. Mental health affects physical health and vice versa. And there were plenty of experts with their own lived experiences willing to share.
This event was a mix of light-hearted anecdotes, frank advice, and inspirational stories from the two authors. They have clearly done their homework, having interviewed hundreds of people for the book. These two high-achieving women are very successful in their respective fields and it was heartening to hear about their lived experiences in such a forthcoming way. You got the sense that this chat deeply resonated with many people in the audience.
The book will be published this week. It’s a little overdue and several years in the making, as each woman had to deal with their own medical setbacks and other issues. These are all detailed in the volume, which should prove important reading for those negotiating sickness, either their own or through supporting a loved one.
The Broken Brains talk was an interesting introduction to this essential book. Rizvi and Waterland should be commended for spotlighting some difficult subject matter in a way that was both empathetic and entertaining. Broken Brains will give solace to those deep in the throes of sickness by showing that people are not alone in negotiating grey and white matter that is broke.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Broken Brains by Jamila Rizvi and Rosie Waterland is published by Penguin Books. For more information head HERE and for book tour dates head HERE.
Reviewer attended 4th May, 2025
