Review of Identity Crisis (A Lawyer's Tale)

[Stephanie Runyon]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Identity Crisis (A Lawyer's Tale)" by Robert L. Wegman, Esq..]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Can you imagine having a successful career, financial security, owning three houses, being married for thirty years, and raising two children into successful adults? It sounds like a perfect life. Robert Wegman had his perfect life until July 2021. His wife filed for divorce, and he fell into a pit of despair. Wegman felt a loss of his identity because of the failure of his marriage. In his novel Identity Crisis (A Lawyer’s Tale), Wegman addresses divorce, emotional distress, suicidal ideation, and his recovery.

Wegman was the fifth born out of seven children to a father who was an Air Force non-commissioned officer and a stay-at-home mother. He felt the need to be perfect, becoming the “golden child” for his parents. Likewise, he carried this into his adult life. The author then continues into his experiences dealing with the pain of losing his wife and his sense of self.

I could connect with Wegman’s story. His depiction of the intense pain associated with the Seroquel, an antipsychotic medication, was almost the same I had experienced. The pain is so severe it could feel like having a stroke. I was fortunate to be a patient in a mental health facility and received immediate medical treatment. Wegman was not as fortunate and became temporarily blind. During this period, he contemplated suicide several times. However he recalled his younger brother's suicide. Remembering how much his death had affected everyone, Wegman didn’t want them to suffer through another loss.

There was nothing I disliked about this novel. Wegman’s writing style is easy to understand and makes it feel like the reader is catching up with an old friend from the past. His experiences were captured in a vivid portrayal of how the small things meant more than people realize. He places a lot of focus on how his view of people changed. If you see someone who is in distress, and you ask them if they are okay, don’t accept their response blindly. I remember saying I was okay before I attempted suicide and spent nine weeks in the hospital.

I rate this entertaining and informative book five out of five stars. There is no reason to lower the score for the perfectly crafted novel. Wegman presents various strategies to assist individuals in coping with overwhelming stress during challenging times. He also admits what worked for him may not work for others. Wegman’s honesty was a value I appreciated.

Identity Crisis (A Lawyer’s Tale) would be an excellent book for anyone who is facing a dramatic change in life. Wegman’s story of enduring mind-crippling change in life will inspire readers to keep hope for a better future. This motivational book shows no matter how much life knocks you down, you cannot quit because your life is important. If this book had been available fifteen years ago, I believe I might not have attempted to end my life.

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Identity Crisis (A Lawyer's Tale)
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[Yasmine ZM]

I believe this book is an eye-opener. Marriage and divorce are intricate. Many successful men are surprised when their marriages fail, when they thought they've got it all. I think the question is, did they put as much energy in their careers as in their marriages? I have a couple of female friends who went through the same thing, and ended up divorcing. The problem is, most men think the key to a happy marriage is to bring the money home; while their wives are craving some attention and some quality time, they want to be heard and seen by their husbands. Mental illness is also a huge thing in our modern society. I am glad the author is talking about it. I found this review interesting and insightful, it makes me want to read this book. Thank you.