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daniellemerjano's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the format of this book, it was written from 2 point of views and jumped from the past to the present.
Otherwise I did not like this book, I really didn't like how it ended and I just felt the main character was weak and whiney as well.
Otherwise I did not like this book, I really didn't like how it ended and I just felt the main character was weak and whiney as well.
kelownagurl's review against another edition
4.0
3 1/2 stars. Good enough story, but some of the writing annoyed me. I had read 25% of this book a few months ago but came back to finish it this week.
kriedesel's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. It was wonderful. The characters were great.
shelleyrae's review against another edition
4.0
With it's intimate portrait of mental illness, Outside The Lines is a compelling and thought provoking novel. Eden was just ten when she last saw her father. Her childhood was marred by his strange behaviour as he battled an undiagnosed mental illness, refusing the medication that stabilised his mood but silenced his creative muse. Now in her thirties, triggered by her mothers bout with cancer, Eden is searching for her father, desperate to reconnect and determined to save him.
Told in chapters that alternate between the present and mid 1980's, from both Eden's and David's perspective, Outside The Lines charts the development of David's illness and the impact it has had upon Eden.
At ten Eden knew something was wrong with her father, he could be wildly exuberant, creating a beautiful garden with her, teaching her to cook and encouraging her to follow her dreams. Yet there were days when he would sink into despair, locking himself in his studio, drinking heavily and fighting with her mother. Hatvany captures the heartbreaking circumstances of Eden's early years, Eden's innocent optimism in the face of an illness that is destroying her family and her confusion at not being enough to save him from himself. As an adult the consequences of her relationship with her father is evident in many small ways, though most notably in her relationships with men. Now a successful chef who has made a life for herself, Eden is emotionally stuck, she has trust and intimacy issues and with a childlike naivety is convinced that if she can find her father she can rescue him from his demons, certain her mother simply gave up on him too easily. The search for David forces Eden to face painful truths about her father and his illness as she begins to piece together his life's experiences.
It is with compassion that the author invites us into David's disturbed mind. Outwardly his behaviour offers little reason for us to like him but by making us privy to his internal struggles, David is immensely sympathetic. He knows that something isn't right, that he isn't right and genuinely regrets his impulsive behaviours, but he is unable to censor himself. Hatvany gives a voice to those mentally ill persons who are simply unable to comply with treatment, showing that it is perhaps less of a choice than might be expected. For David, medication is a form of torture and while he loves both Eden and his wife it is not enough to overcome his illness.
It is David's battle with mental illness and the consequences for Eden in her relationships that is the feature of this novel but Hatvany also explores related issues like homelessness, psychiatric treatment and advocacy. Her research has obviously been meticulous and Hatvany isn't tempted to judge her characters for their perceived failures. She is compassionate and truthful in dealing with very difficult and complicated issues and is not tempted to prescribe solutions. Hatvany could have ended the novel in many ways but she chooses a path that I truly admired.
I found Outside The Lines to be a novel that bravely challenges the idea of curable mental illness. It offers an unique perspective of what it means to be mentally ill and how the illness affects the family of the sufferer. A story that is sure to touch your heart, Outside The Lines is an extraordinary read.
Told in chapters that alternate between the present and mid 1980's, from both Eden's and David's perspective, Outside The Lines charts the development of David's illness and the impact it has had upon Eden.
At ten Eden knew something was wrong with her father, he could be wildly exuberant, creating a beautiful garden with her, teaching her to cook and encouraging her to follow her dreams. Yet there were days when he would sink into despair, locking himself in his studio, drinking heavily and fighting with her mother. Hatvany captures the heartbreaking circumstances of Eden's early years, Eden's innocent optimism in the face of an illness that is destroying her family and her confusion at not being enough to save him from himself. As an adult the consequences of her relationship with her father is evident in many small ways, though most notably in her relationships with men. Now a successful chef who has made a life for herself, Eden is emotionally stuck, she has trust and intimacy issues and with a childlike naivety is convinced that if she can find her father she can rescue him from his demons, certain her mother simply gave up on him too easily. The search for David forces Eden to face painful truths about her father and his illness as she begins to piece together his life's experiences.
It is with compassion that the author invites us into David's disturbed mind. Outwardly his behaviour offers little reason for us to like him but by making us privy to his internal struggles, David is immensely sympathetic. He knows that something isn't right, that he isn't right and genuinely regrets his impulsive behaviours, but he is unable to censor himself. Hatvany gives a voice to those mentally ill persons who are simply unable to comply with treatment, showing that it is perhaps less of a choice than might be expected. For David, medication is a form of torture and while he loves both Eden and his wife it is not enough to overcome his illness.
It is David's battle with mental illness and the consequences for Eden in her relationships that is the feature of this novel but Hatvany also explores related issues like homelessness, psychiatric treatment and advocacy. Her research has obviously been meticulous and Hatvany isn't tempted to judge her characters for their perceived failures. She is compassionate and truthful in dealing with very difficult and complicated issues and is not tempted to prescribe solutions. Hatvany could have ended the novel in many ways but she chooses a path that I truly admired.
I found Outside The Lines to be a novel that bravely challenges the idea of curable mental illness. It offers an unique perspective of what it means to be mentally ill and how the illness affects the family of the sufferer. A story that is sure to touch your heart, Outside The Lines is an extraordinary read.
petitehelene's review against another edition
3.0
Um livro que explora uma batalha contra uma doença mental. Providenciando diferentes perspectivas: o doente, a filha e a esposa.
Uma história com espirais ascendentes e descendentes, a luta contra a violência, 'as vozes', as drogas e nem sempre com o final feliz esperado.
Uma história romanceada mas com um tema desconhecido por muitos.
Uma boa leitura mas que não me conquistou a 100%
Uma história com espirais ascendentes e descendentes, a luta contra a violência, 'as vozes', as drogas e nem sempre com o final feliz esperado.
Uma história romanceada mas com um tema desconhecido por muitos.
Uma boa leitura mas que não me conquistou a 100%
stptacek's review against another edition
4.0
Although fiction, gives a very real look a mental illness...especially through the eyes of someone who is mentally ill. A little slow at time, but overall a great book.
bookworm8300's review against another edition
4.0
The love story was a little too fairy tale but can be forgiven. The glimpse into the struggle of coping with mental illness and its implications for a family was riviting. Best of all, the struggle isn't magically resolved for all to live happily ever after. It sounds so easy; take the pulls and fix the family. However, David decides a 'mainstream' lifestyle is not for him and his daughter must come to terms with this truth in order to redevelop any sort of relationship with him.
missis2v's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book and I cried like a baby. There is mental illness in my family I could relate to all the characters .
It is a beatiful story!
It is a beatiful story!
gabyyyy's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book and how you get both points of view from her and her father. I love the cute relationship she has with Jack. It took me a while to enjoy this book but when that moment happened I fell in love with all the character and you get to learn a few things about mental illness.