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In his latest novel, “My name is Hanna”, Professor David Khayat, eminent oncologist, takes us to the heart of a story that is both poignant and innovative. Through the story of Esther, who personifies her breast cancer as a warrior named Hanna, Khayat explores the complexity of the fight against the disease. This book doesn’t just depict a struggle with cancer; it offers a metaphorical and powerful vision of resilience and the ability of humans to face the toughest challenges.
Chemotherapy, pain, remission, hope… Journal of a war for life
Professor David Khayat is an emblematic figure in global oncology. Former head of the cancer department at the Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital and professor at Pierre-et-Marie-Curie University, he has already made an impression with works such as L’Enquête vérité and Stop depriving yourself. In her new novel, “My Name is Hanna,” Khayat combines her deep medical expertise with captivating storytelling, providing a unique perspective on the fight against cancer.
A distance from the overwhelming illness
“My name is Hanna” stands out with an innovative approach: the personification of cancer. The book opens with a poignant scene where Esther, suffering from breast cancer, finds herself in an endless corridor, confronted by a bloody double — Hanna, the embodiment of her illness. This visualization of illness as a distinct, fighting entity allows Esther to confront it in a radically new way.
Throughout the pages, we follow Esther (and her family) in her intimate and relentless fight against Hanna, the merciless warrior that her illness has become. This metaphorical story, both frightening and powerful, offers a profound reflection on how patients can confront their illness by personalizing it, transforming an often isolating internal process into a story of courage and direct confrontation.
This fight to the death between Esther and Hannah will shake you up
Through this symbolic struggle, Khayat explores universal themes such as pain, fear, but also hope and remission. Esther’s journey is an inspiration, showing that even in moments of great vulnerability, human strength can manifest in unexpected ways.
The narrative structure of the book, alternating between medical reality and symbolic battles, creates a powerful contrast which underlines the complexity of the fight against cancer. This duality of the story reflects on the one hand the respect that the great professor of oncology feels for this enemy whom he has constantly fought, against whom he has sometimes won, often lost… and on the other hand, the admiration for the courage of all these patients who suddenly see their lives turned upside down into doubt, into fear, into suffering but who, thanks to advances in medicine, are more numerous each year to get rid of their cancer.
“My Name is Hanna” is not just a novel about cancer; it is an ode to human resilience. Professor David Khayat succeeds in transforming a medical experience into a moving human adventure, making his work accessible to everyone, whether they are directly or indirectly affected by the disease. Available from April 2024, this book is a must-read for those seeking to understand the emotional and psychological impact of cancer through the eyes of a combative survivor.