Book: “Forward to the Future”, the incredible treatise on optimism by Michael J. Fox

“Forward to the Future”: it’s all in the title. In addition to the reference in contrast to the saga that made his glory, Michael J. Fox, 59, book with his third autobiography, published this Thursday in France, an incredible treatise on optimism. This, despite the circumstances. Suffering from degenerative Parkinson’s disease since 1991, which severely handicaps him, the comedian of “Back to the Future” had to undergo, three years ago, a grueling operation on his spine because of a malignant cyst that threatened his life. A very risky intervention, followed by a long and hellish rehabilitation. However, the title is there: “Forward …” If Michael J. Fox is incurable, it is above all on his faith in the future.

Written like an instant diary where the actor throws his thoughts and memories, the book covers in its largest third this tumor which condemned him to virtual immobility for two years. If hope sometimes leaves him, Michael J. Fox never departs from this humor that is his strength. A golf player, a sport he continues to practice despite his movement problems due to Parkinson’s, he says: “Something people often ask me on the green: What is your handicap? I answer : ” It is not seen ? “Or, when he finds himself at a party with the guitarist of the Rolling Stones, he grumbles internally:” Misery, Keith Richards looks better than me! “

Lucid about his condition, having learned to control his tremors which permanently threaten his physical integrity, he is never safe from the worst, like this terrible fall that opens the book, due to an excess of self-confidence, and which could have permanently damaged his spinal cord. So since then “I always fall once or twice a day, but I have learned to fall more efficiently and less dangerously.”

Used to its internal confinement

The book is not devoted so far to his health. He discusses his foundation for research on Parkinson’s disease, his love for his children and his wife Tracy who has shared his life for thirty years … but also his travels, his friends, his dog Gus, the onset of the pandemic that he faced better than anyone, because he was used to his “internal confinement”.

And, of course, Michael J. Fox looks back on his career, in particular on the series “Spin City”, “The Good Wife” or “Designated Survivor”, of which he tells the behind the scenes in an amazing way. Admitting that over the years, he has only been able to interpret “Parkinson’s” or disabled characters. And concluding with this observation: his illness leading to more and more memory problems, he now considers himself incapable of retaining simple sequences of dialogues. Suddenly: “I will probably never play again”.

Ouch. This hurts us spectators. Not to him: “This prediction does not sadden me …” because, he emphasizes, his career has taken him “much further than I expected …” A lesson in optimism, this is that.