Reviews

Modern Madness: An Owner's Manual by Terri Cheney

esthergreenwoodx's review

4.0

This was described as "a gripping narrative with practical advice" but leans more on the narrative side.

mikia's review

5.0

"You know the feeling when you walk into the ocean, and the sand begins to erode beneath your feet? It's exhilarating but scary because your balance gets tricky and you realize you're in the grasp of a force that's so, so much bigger than you. That's how I'm feeling and that's what it's like to be bipolar, when your sanity starts to slip away." - page 113

servemethesky's review

4.0

This was an excellent memoir about life with bipolar disorder. It kind of made me wish I'd read her first book, Manic, since I was interested to hear more about the nitty gritty of her darker times. The writing is strong here and extremely heartfelt. It was useful to get some of the clinical definitions, her own personal experiences with different types of treatment, insights on meds, and much more. I loved that the chapters were so short and digestible.

I'm not sure that the owner's manual format added much to my experience as a reader, though it was an interesting idea. Also, this did start to get repetitive by about 130 pages in. All in all, a great book for understanding bipolar disorder from one woman's perspective.

carolinenorth's review against another edition

hopeful informative medium-paced

4.0

nikkinmichaels's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

maria_3k's review

2.0

I read a lot about this book (mostly in Shelf Awareness) so I jumped at the opportunity to get a copy from Net Galley. It has a few insights, and I hesitate to say this, because the author mentions this criticism being leveled at her often by people who just don't understand, but overall it seems self-indulgent. Most of all, it's a pale imitation of Kay Redfield Jamison's [b:An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness|361459|An Unquiet Mind A Memoir of Moods and Madness|Kay Redfield Jamison|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1350028748l/361459._SY75_.jpg|1805379]. I know that this is a third go-round of writing about herself, so perhaps I would have done better with her first memoir, but the segments were so short (bite-sized and digestible) that they seemed unsubstantial. Another, I think superior memoir that touches on bipolar disorder is Hope Jahren's [b:Lab Girl|25733983|Lab Girl|Hope Jahren|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441826687l/25733983._SX50_.jpg|45572105]. It's probably good that people keep writing about and trying to remove the stigma from mental illness, and I think the author is most helpful when she describes how important medication has been for her, but I just couldn't connect.

foxandbooks's review

4.0

Modern Madness by Terri Chaney is exactly what she says..an Owners Manual. The author is very upfront with her diagnosis of bipolar which at times is refreshing and at other times down right scary. And if it is scary to read about I can only imagine what it is like being bipolar. Her book details not only what she goes through but how you can help as well. And by help I mean what to say and what not to say, how to truly listen and observe and to learn from the cues that are always present. Man I wish I had this book 20 years ago!! I hope by having it now that I will be more empathetic in the future!! 4⭐
⭐
Thank you to Hachette Books and Terri Chaney for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. ⭐

rebecca_isreading's review

4.0

Thanks to Hachette Go for an advance copy for honest review.

Terri Cheney's new book, Modern Madness, speaks very frankly about the author's personal experiences living with bipolar disorder. TW: the book frequently discusses the author's thoughts and attempts of suicide. Cheney tells this story in short vignettes grouped in themes around things such as the presentations of bipolar disorder, stigmas, medications and coping skills, and more. It's an intense and personal look at one person's experience, and holds definite appeal for anyone looking to better understand the mind and life if someone living with bipolar disorder.

remyemx's review

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

readalotwritealot's review

5.0

This book had incredible insights. It was raw and honest. I found it incredibly relatable, a wonderful mix of memoir and mental health advocacy. It is very readable and has quickly moved to the top of my mental health recs.

I received an advanced copy in exchange for my review.