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atlantabelle's review against another edition
2.0
yes, we know. your child is a genius. thank you for reminding me what seemed like every 5 pages. I didn't like this book yet, I couldn't put it down. the father drove me nuts. if anyone disagreed with him, they were stupid. He treated his wife like she was incapable of doing anything right. He seemed to thrive on all the chaos. "Look at me! Aren't I an awesome father to do all this by myself!?!" I did a little more reading online and I keep seeing Munchausen' s Syndrome by proxy(I probably spelled that wrong) mentioned. I hate to think of that but it does sound quite possible.
crownab's review against another edition
This was an amazing novel! Such an insight into the struggles of parents with children who possess mental illnesses. The book was extremely well written and heart-wrenching but still enjoyable. One of my top 5 favorite psych reads!
agor's review against another edition
2.0
This book is truly deserving of just 1 star; however, I'm giving this book 2 stars because Jani's condition and her story is fascinating. Her dad, the author, is not. Best example of a savior complex if I've ever seen one. He genuinely thinks he is the ONLY person who can save Jani and "pull" her back from whatever it is she has (she's not diagnosed until later in the book). Also, in case you missed it, Jani's a genius with an IQ of 146, awarded to her before the age of 2. Which you hear about SEVERAL times. SEVERAL TIMES. Which also, he thinks, makes her exempt from any sort of diagnosis, seeing as she is so intelligent she simply isn't receiving the adequate attention and care she needs. Basically, everyone else is the problem, Jani is not.
I ended up feeling incredibly sad for Jani that this is her life, but I do not feel sad for her parents. The advice they were provided, both medically and emotionally, went virtually ignored every time. I'm not a parent, but even I know when to heed the advice of the professionals, especially when actively sought. Pompous idiots, IMHO.
2 stars stands.
I ended up feeling incredibly sad for Jani that this is her life, but I do not feel sad for her parents. The advice they were provided, both medically and emotionally, went virtually ignored every time. I'm not a parent, but even I know when to heed the advice of the professionals, especially when actively sought. Pompous idiots, IMHO.
2 stars stands.
molliezeee's review against another edition
4.0
This memoir focuses on the Schofield family, but primarily the father (author) and how he feels, thinks, and interacts with his daughter January, who is thought to have a mental illness. It’s really a page turner, but not for the reason some books are. There’s suspense, there’s love, there’s imagination and creativity, but really this whole book is that family’s life.
When I added this book on Goodreads, I saw all the varying reviews, but didn't read them fully until I finished the book. I cannot believe the awful thoughts, insensitivity, and downright hatred people show towards the father/author. The book is written in an honest fashion, and he handles various situations with his child in the way he sees fit. I find it repulsing that people reviewing the book could even imagine that they could do better without any prior experience or knowledge of mental illnesses or medication involved. From my point of view, which is all it is, until someone is put into the exact situation with the exact same responses day after day after day, there’s no way to know how it would work out. It’s possible the readers could have better ideas, be able to engage Janni in different ways, and create a seemingly ok life. However, on the other hand, they may grow annoyed, frustrated, and upset with the ways things are happening and the outcome could grow much worse than depicted in the book.
When I added this book on Goodreads, I saw all the varying reviews, but didn't read them fully until I finished the book. I cannot believe the awful thoughts, insensitivity, and downright hatred people show towards the father/author. The book is written in an honest fashion, and he handles various situations with his child in the way he sees fit. I find it repulsing that people reviewing the book could even imagine that they could do better without any prior experience or knowledge of mental illnesses or medication involved. From my point of view, which is all it is, until someone is put into the exact situation with the exact same responses day after day after day, there’s no way to know how it would work out. It’s possible the readers could have better ideas, be able to engage Janni in different ways, and create a seemingly ok life. However, on the other hand, they may grow annoyed, frustrated, and upset with the ways things are happening and the outcome could grow much worse than depicted in the book.
scoobygirl93's review against another edition
My review is on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xkgxZW3XUE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xkgxZW3XUE
stepgg's review against another edition
5.0
as much as I enjoyed this book, it did make me very angry as well. I'm not a parent so maybe I'm not right either but I question a lot of his parenting choices. I get that we love our children above many other things but it seemed like he would throw everything away to give his daughter a happy cushy life away from anything that might stress her even before she seemed to show major signs of mental illness. I also struggle when reading about the Healthcare system, so many flaws that rile me up! guess health care workers shouldn't read books involving the Healthcare system. I tell myself that the Canadian mental health system is better and in my opinion it is but it's still so flawed too.. but this book did suck me in and I couldn't put it down. it also made me think alot.
meredithmc's review against another edition
2.0
childhood on-set schizophrenia isn't something that you see in movies or television or even in books, so this memoir offered a look into the world of a parent dealing with it. honestly, i didn't even know this form of the illness existed.
the book and the story, however...i can't say i really was on the father's side, if there's sides one can take. he painted his wife to be weak, because she wanted to take their daughter to a hospital, a decision that was justified as she was attempting to hurt both said mother & her baby brother. only he could save his daughter from this demon inside when really, nothing can truly save her from it. also, i felt like he totally brushed off his infant son since he was just a regular kid, not this special genius unfortunately plagued with mental illness.
i'm not a parent so i don't want to judge the guy; i can't imagine the pain that comes with a life like this. my judgments are purely relating to the book itself, not him as a parent or his relationship.
most of all, i hope jani (the january in the title) can get through her life in the safest and healthiest way.
the book and the story, however...i can't say i really was on the father's side, if there's sides one can take. he painted his wife to be weak, because she wanted to take their daughter to a hospital, a decision that was justified as she was attempting to hurt both said mother & her baby brother. only he could save his daughter from this demon inside when really, nothing can truly save her from it. also, i felt like he totally brushed off his infant son since he was just a regular kid, not this special genius unfortunately plagued with mental illness.
i'm not a parent so i don't want to judge the guy; i can't imagine the pain that comes with a life like this. my judgments are purely relating to the book itself, not him as a parent or his relationship.
most of all, i hope jani (the january in the title) can get through her life in the safest and healthiest way.
sarahjanet's review against another edition
2.0
This story is compelling, but the writing is decidedly mediocre and I just had no patience for the author.