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nietzschesghost's review against another edition
5.0
After the tragicomic genius of Mr Filer's debut novel, The Shock of the Fall, about a young boys struggles with schizophrenia and possibly modelled around his own experiences, he now moves on to write a non-fiction work which actively debunks the myths and downright lies told about those who suffer from it. I have to start by saying that I have no first-hand experience of this mental illness myself, and I don't know anyone who has the condition, but I am endlessly intrigued by lots of topics and I do campaign for the stigma still associated with mental health to be banished. Sadly, that is not anywhere near a reality as of yet.
The Heartland is an essential, much-needed exploration of schizophrenia and represents it in an authentic, accessible and eminently readable style. It's a complex, nuanced topic, but it is explored in a very open and honest manner and one-hundred years of controversy and conflicts surrounding the serious health condition is discussed too. There are still people who question its existence. What was most fascinating, but not really a surprise to me, was the correlation between mental health conditions and poverty. He also discusses other interesting correlations.
I learned a lot from this informative work, and the way it was punctuated with anonymised cases illustrating the reality of schizophrenia was inspired. I found myself profoundly moved. This is a powerful and enlightening read which opened my eyes and taught me much about the condition. It's full of compassion and well-researched facts and statistics, and I truly hope it sets straight the record straight on the misinformation front. Simply superb. Many thanks to Faber & Faber for an ARC.
The Heartland is an essential, much-needed exploration of schizophrenia and represents it in an authentic, accessible and eminently readable style. It's a complex, nuanced topic, but it is explored in a very open and honest manner and one-hundred years of controversy and conflicts surrounding the serious health condition is discussed too. There are still people who question its existence. What was most fascinating, but not really a surprise to me, was the correlation between mental health conditions and poverty. He also discusses other interesting correlations.
I learned a lot from this informative work, and the way it was punctuated with anonymised cases illustrating the reality of schizophrenia was inspired. I found myself profoundly moved. This is a powerful and enlightening read which opened my eyes and taught me much about the condition. It's full of compassion and well-researched facts and statistics, and I truly hope it sets straight the record straight on the misinformation front. Simply superb. Many thanks to Faber & Faber for an ARC.
eddie's review against another edition
5.0
Well-written and really enlightening discussion of the issues around our current understanding of schizophrenia: what it is; it’s diagnosis; and it’s treatment.
hizatulakmah's review against another edition
4.0
actual rating: 3.8/5
i like books that don't shove informations down my throat, and this book doesn't disappoint me.
reading it does feel like having conversations with people. real people who happened to have a mental illness. i can't recommend this book enough to those who want to understand better.
i like books that don't shove informations down my throat, and this book doesn't disappoint me.
reading it does feel like having conversations with people. real people who happened to have a mental illness. i can't recommend this book enough to those who want to understand better.
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