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While You Were Out: An Intimate Family Portrait of Mental Illness in an Era of Silence by Meg Kissinger

4.28 AVERAGE

kriseggert's review

Dnf at 50%.

kaileyp's review

5.0
dark emotional hopeful informative sad
kahohn's profile picture

kahohn's review

5.0
This book was so well-written, I was brought to tears multiple times. It shines a light on mental illness with such poignancy and compassion, you can’t help but be moved. Really really a beautiful book.

laura_hankin's review

5.0
This account captures a time when there weren't the vocabulary or treatments or support to address the issues, tragedies and addictions that haven't really changed over the years, but we have much better means to recognize and try to change the trajectory of individuals and families experiencing mental health and addiction issues.
If you were even a bit aware in this time period, this memoir will hold up a mirror that's difficult to view but tempered by excellent writing and warmth.

kyliehennagin's review against another edition

4.0
If you enjoyed reading Hidden Valley Road, you’ll enjoy this one.
smirk's profile picture

smirk's review

3.0
Funny and heartbreaking. So sad how we continue to fail our community members struggling with mental illness.

laura_eppinger's review

5.0
Funny and impossible to put down while also being totally devastating.

sarahizsmith's review

3.75
informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

christineodette's review

5.0
Incredibly honest book about what it is like to love someone with a serious mental illness. Also the author ends the book with a Mary Oliver poem which I LOVE

“To live in this world, you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal, to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it: and, when time comes to let it go, to let it go”

dschnotala's review against another edition

5.0
4.5⭐️ a very heavy read but worth it! she did a great job shedding light on such a sensitive topic