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anas_reads's review against another edition
4.0
this book gave me so many chills, i had to read it while drowning in blankets. it feels like a privilege to read a book this personal. it got me thinking about life’s suspended moments and the strength and weakness that comes from surrendering to things much bigger than ourselves
bronski's review against another edition
4.0
Finished this on (rare) breaks working Labour and Delivery. I found Catherine’s perspectives of her nurses both on the Mother-Baby unit and during her mental health recovery to be very eye opening. This is raw and honest, and an important source of insight into postpartum psychosis as well as abusive relationships. My only point of confusion was her treatment plan (or lack thereof), even though she writes through the perspective of someone actively experiencing psychosis. In eight days, I would hope there is more to this psych ward than mere observation and medication. She makes an interesting comparison between American and UK approaches to mental health treatment. I can’t imagine the strength it would have taken to write this book. One of the most powerful memoirs I’ve ever read.
annatl4's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
This book brought awareness to a mental illness that is very under discussed. Catherine’s description of her psychosis and experience in the psych ward was beautifully painful. The story felt so raw and honest, allowing the reader to really understand what a toll this illness took upon her and her family. Her description of her upbringing intertwined with her experience in the psych ward added an extra layer to the memoir. She explains the shortcomings of united states psych wards when dealing with postpartum psychosis and how that led to more suffering for her. Despite this being a difficult read, it is important to hear these things to better advocate for women in the health field.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Mental illness, and Domestic abuse
lillianviolinist's review against another edition
4.5
This was an incredibly raw and vulnerable depiction of what it is like to experience postpartum psychosis. The author writes with a clarity about her experience that is to be deeply admires. This was a hard read but well worth it. I think this book accomplished more than Brain on Fire, another book about psychosis I read this year but I recommend them both if you are interested in this topics.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
zoe42's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
ehtomb's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.75
This book had me feeling short of breath. Not a mother/never going to be but there was something so familiar in Cho’s words and the way she writes. A no chapters stream of conscious writing that was hard to put down. A complicated relationship to motherhood and mental health. I’m almost impressed she could capture these memories in her psychosis.
gemlobz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.75