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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
This book was a slog but a fascinating, informative and slightly horrifying slog. I learned a lot about the history of mental illness and schizophrenia, and the interweaving of the family's story and the 'march of science' was effective. That being said, it took me months to get through it.
Perhaps the best non-fiction book I've ever read. Gripping.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
This book took me a very long time to listen to on audiobook. However, it taught me so much about schizophrenia and the effects it has on the brain. With a mixture of science and narrative, Robert Kolker walked the reader through the journey of schizophrenia over the years. It was a very interesting and informative read.
informative
fast-paced
Well-researched, heartbreaking at times, frustrating at others, but above all really informative and hopeful by the end.
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
Ok, I had to change my rating. My original rating of 1 star reflected only my difficulty in getting through this tragic and hard to read story. But it has stuck with me and there is fascinating information to be had in those pages. I need a different rating system for books like this... did I love it? No. Did I "enjoy" reading it? No. Is it an amazing and heartbreaking story, yes. Read at your own emotional risk and don't expect a happy ending!
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
This book is a hard read. When I say hard, I mean TRIGGER WARNING difficult. This book has the potential to traumatize or retraumatize anyone who has a hard time with the subjects of: abandonment, rape, molestation, suicide, murder, psychosis, mental health work, neglecting and overwhelmed family homes. I had to pause many times and check-in with myself after finding myself crying. That being said, I continued because for me healing happens as I move through the pain. Do not do as I have if it is causing you harm, be kind to yourself when reading this.
I was brought to this book after a brief meeting with Lindsay Galvin once when I was working. She was buying this book for a local reading. I can't tell you more than we can't truly know what another's struggle is without listening, without sharing and I wish I would've hugged her. The strength she had to cultivate to survive is no less than super human.
This story is meant to break open our hearts to and shed light on the invisible illnesses. Don't let your mental health journey and struggle be done alone, share. Too many families are just as the Galvin's were, hiding the imperfections under the carpet. We all have those imperfections, we can't spend our lives weighing them against one another. Imperfection is part of the human experience. <3
I was brought to this book after a brief meeting with Lindsay Galvin once when I was working. She was buying this book for a local reading. I can't tell you more than we can't truly know what another's struggle is without listening, without sharing and I wish I would've hugged her. The strength she had to cultivate to survive is no less than super human.
This story is meant to break open our hearts to and shed light on the invisible illnesses. Don't let your mental health journey and struggle be done alone, share. Too many families are just as the Galvin's were, hiding the imperfections under the carpet. We all have those imperfections, we can't spend our lives weighing them against one another. Imperfection is part of the human experience. <3