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bubothereader's review
2.0
I struggle with this one. I enjoyed it from a reading perspective—it was a good story if you know nothing about anything the author discusses.
But as a mental health advocate, I can't support this book. Its portrayal of schizophrenia is HIGHLY inaccurate, and it's clearly being used as a literary device. It feels like Zappia didn't have a sensitivity reader for this and that's not okay. I also didn't like the sexual abuse, child abuse, and other mental illnesses being used just to further plot. They felt dropped in.
I did like the discussion of Alexithymia, but it again felt like a plot device to explain was Miles was often rude. Would have liked more discussion about how Alex felt about him and maybe them talking that out? Also, how did he find out he might be? Was it self-diagnosis? Did it come with an Autism diagnosis?
I will try Eliza and Her Monsters because I've heard it's much better and the author grows.
Do not read this book to understand schizophrenia. Read it to learn what it isn't. Delusions and hallucinations aren't the same.
This review is all over the place, but I think overall, I liked the story, but I know it's very inaccurate.
But as a mental health advocate, I can't support this book. Its portrayal of schizophrenia is HIGHLY inaccurate, and it's clearly being used as a literary device. It feels like Zappia didn't have a sensitivity reader for this and that's not okay. I also didn't like the sexual abuse, child abuse, and other mental illnesses being used just to further plot. They felt dropped in.
I did like the discussion of Alexithymia, but it again felt like a plot device to explain was Miles was often rude. Would have liked more discussion about how Alex felt about him and maybe them talking that out? Also, how did he find out he might be? Was it self-diagnosis? Did it come with an Autism diagnosis?
I will try Eliza and Her Monsters because I've heard it's much better and the author grows.
Do not read this book to understand schizophrenia. Read it to learn what it isn't. Delusions and hallucinations aren't the same.
This review is all over the place, but I think overall, I liked the story, but I know it's very inaccurate.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Blood, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Sexual assault
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