See It
Coming
CURRENT EVENTS 2024 – 2025
2024
- 10/21 – UW South Madison Partnership, ADRC of Dane County, Madison, WI: lecture
- 10/22 – University of Wisconsin Geriatrics at Madison: lecture
- 10/24 – “A Day with Lewy,” ADRC of Dodge County, Waupun, WI: keynote speaker
- 10/28 – Alzheimer’s Association of Nebraska: lecture/book signing
- 10/28 – University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha: lecture/film screening Facing the Wind
- 11/15 – The Church, Sag Harbor, NY: lecture/book signing
- 11/18 – Lincoln Center, NY: benefit film screening Facing the Wind
- 12/17 – Dorot, NYC: lecture
2025
- 2/11 – Phillips Collection, Washington, DC: event speaker
- 2/25 – Council on Aging Martin County, Stuart, FL: lecture
- 3/13 – Hacienda at the Canyon, Tucson, AZ: lecture/book signing
- 3/15 & 3/16 – Tucson Festival of Books: panels
- 3/26 – Watermark, Brooklyn Heights, NY: lecture/film screening Facing the Wind
PAST EVENTS 2023 – 2024
2023
- 10/3 – Official Book Launch
- 10/10 – Shakespeare & Co, NYC
- 10/30 & 10/31 – University of Nebraska Medical Center
- 11/1 – St. Paul, MN
- 11/2 – The Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
- 11/8 – Watermark, Brooklyn Heights, NY
- 11/14 – The Hebrew Home, Riverdale, NY
- 11/16 – The Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia, PA;
Head House Books, Philadelphia, PA - 12/5 – 12/7 – University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
2024
- 2/21 – 92NY Family & Friends Support Series
- 3/14 – Alzheimer’s Foundation Care Connection Webinar Series
- 4/10 – Coterie Hudson Yards, NYC
- 4/18 – Inspir, NYC
- 6/12 – Remember Me Book Club
MEDIA FOR VIEWING & LISTENING
Columbus, OH
ARTICLES
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD
REVIEWS
BEYOND CRITICISM www.beyondcriticism.com
By Matthew Gurewitsch
Meet Mary Lou Falcone, a mezzo-soprano launching a new career as a classical-music strategist for a gilt-edged client list beginning with the American pianist Van Cliburn, first winner of the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow and culture hero of the Cold War era.
Meet Nicky Zann, an ex-teen rocker reinventing himself as a graphic artist whose signature style would influence the iconic Roy Lichtenstein.
Some enchanted evening, you may see a stranger, you may see a stranger across a crowded room, And somehow you’ll know, you’ll know even then… When Falcone and Zann first locked eyes at a Christmas party on the tony East Side of Manhattan in 1973, she was single and he was not. But the spark was struck for a lifelong Nick-and-Nora romance that his losing battle with a devastating, incurable disease could not extinguish.
Over the years, clients and associates galore have urged Falcone to tell her story. After saying “never” for decades, she has changed her mind. Famous as a straight shooter, famous for her business smarts, she has snappy tales to tell. (Watch for the bluff she pulled on the management of Milan’s historic opera house La Scala, who owed her a lot of money.)
But the narrative isn’t at all the expected and-then-I-signed saga of a PR powerhouse. Falcone’s mission here isn’t to memorialize herself but to raise awareness of and promote research into Lewy body dementia (LBD), a condition that affects a staggering 1.4 million Americans. That’s a greater number than of those affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), muscular dystrophy, and cerebral palsy combined, a greater number than those infected by HIV.
Often joyous, very seldom sentimental, Falcone’s book is packed with memorable portraits, telling anecdotes, and lessons in living up to one’s ideals. Chapters are brief and to the point, separated by a generous selection of images from Zann’s The Answer Deck, a latter-day Tarot that you’ll want to own for yourself. Alas, it’s out of print. I’ve scattered samples through this review.
In an intriguing move, Falcone has opted to tell much of the story in the projected voices of those who knew her and Zann, as well as of Zann himself. He emerges, even in decline, as a man the Germans would call a Lebenskünstler: a master of the arts of living. His descent into Lewy body dementia makes for grim reading, but the love he inspired and the love that came back to him—from many who knew him but most of all from Falcone—is an inspiration. “We have had a great run,” he told her the day they received the worst news. “We cannot be sad.”
LITERARY TITAN
Thomas Anderson
Editor In Chief
Rating: 5
In “I Didn’t See It Coming,” Mary Lou Falcone shares her life journey. This memoir narrates how she navigated love, loss, and Lewy body dementia (LBD). From caring for her speech-impaired father at 10 to becoming the main support for her husband Nicky Zann, who had LBD, Mary Lou’s story is filled with not only highs and lows but also hope and laughter. The book offers practical insights into dealing with LBD, and it includes thoughts from friends and family. It’s a stirring story of how Mary Lou faced tough times and found strength amid life’s challenges.
This page-turner unveils pivotal moments in the life of the author. What Falcone has so adeptly achieved with this book is subtlety transitioning the story from a captivating coming-of-age story to an insightful guide on how to care for a loved one with Lewy Body Dementia. This is dexterously done to blend with the exploration of her romantic life over the years. Yet, the alternation between perspectives from the author and other individuals with their own accounts never felt out of place.
No truer statement than this captured in the book describes ‘I Didn’t See It Coming’ better than “The pendulum swings; it just doesn’t make any local stops.” Mary Lou Falcone’s life has been one of pendulum swings. Motion is dampened every now and then by good fortune, luck, laughter, love, and difficult times. Yet, an unmistakable take-home from all of them is Falcone’s great strength of character.
Falcone’s ability to couple storytelling with insightful observations makes this book not only a literary gem but also a mirror reflecting the complexities of debilitating diseases such as dementia. The art illustrations by Nicky Zann, Falcone’s now-late husband, add a visual layer to the entire journey. “I Didn’t See It Coming” by Mary Lou Falcone is a poignant exploration of what patience and love can achieve in a world of pendulums that don’t stop swinging.
NETGALLEY REVIEWS:
Melissa Tromberg – Reviewer
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Full Text:
“I Didn’t See It Coming” by Mary Lou Falcone is a book that has the power to change lives. From the very first page, the author captures the reader’s attention and offers a thought-provoking analysis of the uncertain terrain of life. The book is a fantastic guide for anyone struggling to overcome obstacles or navigate their way through difficult times.
One of the most compelling aspects of the book is the author’s candid and honest approach to sharing her own experiences. Falcone’s personal stories and relatable anecdotes add a depth and richness to the narrative that make the book all the more enlightening.
The author’s conversational tone is engaging and compassionate, and her insights are always grounded in practical advice. “I Didn’t See It Coming” provides a wealth of strategies and tools for coping with life’s twists and turns, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to lead a more fulfilling, stress-free life.
Overall, “I Didn’t See It Coming” is a powerful and thought-provoking read that is both inspiring and informative. Falcone’s wisdom and experience shine through on every page, and readers are sure to come away from the book with new insights into how to handle unexpected roadblocks on the path of life. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to take control of their destiny and learn how to navigate the unpredictable journey of life with grace and confidence.
Kade Gallusico – Reviewer
Also posted on GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5658083218
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Full Text:
I received a copy of this in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.
Wow. This book was raw and heartbreaking. I went into this not knowing much about LBD, and I left with a whole new outlook on life.
I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been for her to experience this and become a caretaker for her own husband. What a beautiful but heart-wrenching story.
Kathleen McLeer
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Full Text:
I really appreciated Mary Lou Falcone sharing this book, it does a great job in helping the caregiver for LBD. I learned a lot about the disease and learning about resources about this. It was well-written and I appreciated getting to read this.