Publication Date: January 1, 2025
Julian Lawrence was a regular kid until a terrifying shooting accident left him with a traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and a surreal near-death experience right after he turned 14.
The boy who survived was never the brain damage rewired his mind, as daunting cognitive and visual impairments reshaped his identity. Yet, Julian refused to let them limit him—gravitating toward unconventional ways of living among bohemians, outcasts, and dreamers who challenged the societal norms he’d once embraced.
Through humorous and harrowing acts of rebellion, Julian redefines himself, reaching adulthood with renewed confidence that inspires him to chase fast profits during the roaring bull market of the dotcom era—driven by exuberance for the limitless possibilities of the Internet. But his elation and lofty ambitions crumbled when the market crashed, forcing Julian to confront the long shadows of unresolved trauma he’d spent a lifetime avoiding as he strove to transcend his troubled youth.
If a Million Fell from the Sky is a soul-stirring memoir spanning themes of faith, mental health, and the search for meaning in an often cruel and chaotic world where many struggle to find their place.
Memoirs can be tricky ventures, with just the right mix of personal revelation to maintain reader interest.
Author J International delivers an inspirational story about the challenges he has overcome in If a Million Fell from the Sky.
From the beginning chapter, it’s clear that young Julian is fascinated with money. Although he’s not really a fan of earning it, he loves to spend it. This theme recurs throughout the memories he shares.
Yet the central message centers around a shooting accident in his early teens that left him with a traumatic brain injury. Through various memories, Julian shares encounters with a variety of colorful individuals. He battles to overcome his challenges in order to reap financial rewards, only to lose them to outside forces.
If a Million Fell from the Sky serves up a raw story told by a man who learned a hard lesson about pain and suffering.
J International, a nickname given to the author stemming from his adolescent dreams of distant places, serves as Julian Lawrence’s pen name and is a defining element of his story.
Julian International Lawrence was born in Wilmington, Delaware. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in film from the University of Delaware. His career as a Quantitative Systems Analyst sharpened his analytical mind, which he applies to his writing with a focus on introspection and personal growth.
In his memoir, If a Million Fell from the Sky, Julian explores the themes of transformation, PTSD, and the complexities of family life. Influenced by the theories of Carl Jung, the storytelling techniques of Joseph Campbell, and the wisdom of world religions and philosophies, he reflects on the origins of identity and the human experience, advocating for equality, tolerance, and understanding.
Currently residing in Thailand with his wife, Julian continues to write and is dedicated to helping others navigate trauma, anxiety disorders, and traumatic brain injuries.
