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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
A semi-autobiographical book about a sixteen year old schizophrenic girl who lives in her dark imaginary world. Her parents take her to a mental hospital where she stays for three years.
Had to read this for one of my English classes so just let me write this in English as well and already find the words to express my opinion tomorrow (which is the day by which I was supposed to have read this).
In the front matter, someone said that there are two types of people; Ones who have never heard of this book and therefore never read it and then the ones that have read it and now call it their favourite book. That certainly is a statement to make. But this person wasn’t wrong because somehow Joanne Greenberg managed to make this book so incredibly good that it’s definitely one of my favourites. She describes Deborah’s feelings and her mental illness extraordinarily well without making it seem too medical and uncomfortable. When you read this book, you are in Deborah’s head. You are a sixteen-year-old girl withdrawing from reality into a fictive kingdom named Yr who then slowly starts to adjust to life in a mental hospital and to get better so slowly that you (and Deborah) don’t realise it for a long time. Greenberg writes about the mentally ill protagonist in a very caring, almost loving way that doesn’t make her seem unbelievably angelic but also not like the monster or abnormality that patients in mental hospitals were still often perceived in the 1960s. In the end, this understanding and care for Deborah was what won me over despite my initial scepticism. This book is so, so good that I desperately need someone to talk to about it, so please go and read it.
In the front matter, someone said that there are two types of people; Ones who have never heard of this book and therefore never read it and then the ones that have read it and now call it their favourite book. That certainly is a statement to make. But this person wasn’t wrong because somehow Joanne Greenberg managed to make this book so incredibly good that it’s definitely one of my favourites. She describes Deborah’s feelings and her mental illness extraordinarily well without making it seem too medical and uncomfortable. When you read this book, you are in Deborah’s head. You are a sixteen-year-old girl withdrawing from reality into a fictive kingdom named Yr who then slowly starts to adjust to life in a mental hospital and to get better so slowly that you (and Deborah) don’t realise it for a long time. Greenberg writes about the mentally ill protagonist in a very caring, almost loving way that doesn’t make her seem unbelievably angelic but also not like the monster or abnormality that patients in mental hospitals were still often perceived in the 1960s. In the end, this understanding and care for Deborah was what won me over despite my initial scepticism. This book is so, so good that I desperately need someone to talk to about it, so please go and read it.
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
This book has touched me in a way not many books had. I don't know what it was, or maybe I do and I just can't really out my finger on it, but this felt like a sort of book which was meant for me.
I felt many similarities to the main character, a certain thing that doesn't actually happen to much to me. I tend to think I may want to relate to a main character, but to have such a deep connection without even trying is not something that usually happenes to me.
This book is filled with hope which many books do not have. A hope for a normal yet happy and full life. A hope for being understanding and accepting of one's self and surroundings. A love song for inner happiness.
I think the last piece that perfected this book for me was the main character being Jewish. I don't think I would have cared for this book the amount of what I care for it now if not for this small - yet important - fact. Just seeing it being mentioned made me smile.
In the end of the book, I was on the verge of tears - which does not happen usually. I don't cry from books. But this... this felt like a special case.
I felt many similarities to the main character, a certain thing that doesn't actually happen to much to me. I tend to think I may want to relate to a main character, but to have such a deep connection without even trying is not something that usually happenes to me.
This book is filled with hope which many books do not have. A hope for a normal yet happy and full life. A hope for being understanding and accepting of one's self and surroundings. A love song for inner happiness.
I think the last piece that perfected this book for me was the main character being Jewish. I don't think I would have cared for this book the amount of what I care for it now if not for this small - yet important - fact. Just seeing it being mentioned made me smile.
In the end of the book, I was on the verge of tears - which does not happen usually. I don't cry from books. But this... this felt like a special case.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes