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mesy_mark's review against another edition
3.0
When Issa got to talking about his Mom at the beginning of the book I realized where this was headed. I could see it a mile away all be not quite sure that it was all due to drugs. My guess was a psychotic break from reality but I did not realize it will all be linked back to weed. But I do have to say once the excessive weed use of the family was described then I saw the connection. I personally have not tried weed. I don't know how to roll a roach but I do know that weed, in some people, can create psychosis. Or worsen psychosis in a person already dealing with that condition. Issa was the former and it turned deadly to him.
Knowing all that he did while locked up. The sex, for instance, made me want to stop the book. How could a hospital ket this go on to patient/person of power relationships go on for there lengths? But I went on to hear this book out literally since I listened to this book through the audiobook. The text can be enriching at times but then becomes too wordy and try hard to impress the reader. The book focused more on how the staff treated Issa rather than what therapy was like when regarding day to day therapy unless I had something to do with scandal or whatever report knocking Issa down.
Overall I was drawn in by being in a hospital for such an extended time but left with a somewhat satisfied listen to. Wish more about the day was like- like therapies throughout the day- but ended p being okay with how it panned out.
Knowing all that he did while locked up. The sex, for instance, made me want to stop the book. How could a hospital ket this go on to patient/person of power relationships go on for there lengths? But I went on to hear this book out literally since I listened to this book through the audiobook. The text can be enriching at times but then becomes too wordy and try hard to impress the reader. The book focused more on how the staff treated Issa rather than what therapy was like when regarding day to day therapy unless I had something to do with scandal or whatever report knocking Issa down.
Overall I was drawn in by being in a hospital for such an extended time but left with a somewhat satisfied listen to. Wish more about the day was like- like therapies throughout the day- but ended p being okay with how it panned out.
threeseagrass's review
3.0
A very sad and meaningful read. As many of you know, mental illness memoirs are some of my favourite (if that's the right word) types of memoirs to read. I find it absolutely fascinating to be in the head of someone experiencing life in an entirely different and unique way. Previous stories I've read, though shocking and scary (see, [b: Wasted|46815|Wasted A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia|Marya Hornbacher|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388181134s/46815.jpg|1256238], [b: Manic|2359423|Manic A Memoir|Terri Cheney|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1437183322s/2359423.jpg|2366190]) almost paled in comparison to this young man's story. This is not at all to belittle anyone's experience of their own mental illness, but more to point out that previous memoirs I've read have related more closely to self-harm than harm to others, especially loved ones, which I found particularly horrific in this case.
That being said, I didn't love the overall structure and style of this book. I understand why it was structured as it was, and I agree that it made it much easier for the reader not to prejudge this young man for the terrible crime he committed; however, I think just a year as the title of the Chapter would have made everything much clearer. Sometimes I had no idea if we were pre-hospital or not. I have seen this done effectively in other books, particularly [b: Madness: A Bipolar Life|2177563|Madness A Bipolar Life|Marya Hornbacher|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348198070s/2177563.jpg|2183241], and [b: Manic|2359423|Manic A Memoir|Terri Cheney|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1437183322s/2359423.jpg|2366190], but it really didn't work here for me.
But I think the real and very important story here is Issa's experience of being hospitalized in a system determined to keep him locked up rather than to contribute to meaningful therapy and a transition into a 'normal' life. It is absolutely abhorrent that psychiatrists and psychologists continue to get away with kind of behaviour that only serves to retrench power dynamics in psychiatric institutions and likely further contributes to feelings of low self worth and depression. This is an important story about a man who overcame these obstacles, and fought for the life he deserved.
Definitely worth a read if you're interested in drug-induced psychosis and experiences in the psychiatric ward.
An advanced review copy was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
That being said, I didn't love the overall structure and style of this book. I understand why it was structured as it was, and I agree that it made it much easier for the reader not to prejudge this young man for the terrible crime he committed; however, I think just a year as the title of the Chapter would have made everything much clearer. Sometimes I had no idea if we were pre-hospital or not. I have seen this done effectively in other books, particularly [b: Madness: A Bipolar Life|2177563|Madness A Bipolar Life|Marya Hornbacher|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348198070s/2177563.jpg|2183241], and [b: Manic|2359423|Manic A Memoir|Terri Cheney|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1437183322s/2359423.jpg|2366190], but it really didn't work here for me.
But I think the real and very important story here is Issa's experience of being hospitalized in a system determined to keep him locked up rather than to contribute to meaningful therapy and a transition into a 'normal' life. It is absolutely abhorrent that psychiatrists and psychologists continue to get away with kind of behaviour that only serves to retrench power dynamics in psychiatric institutions and likely further contributes to feelings of low self worth and depression. This is an important story about a man who overcame these obstacles, and fought for the life he deserved.
Definitely worth a read if you're interested in drug-induced psychosis and experiences in the psychiatric ward.
An advanced review copy was provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
lovegirl30's review
4.0
Mental illness has affected my life in many ways. My mother has schizophrenia so when I was this book was avaliable for review I need to give it a chance.
This book is perfect for the time. We are currently evaluating and fighting for change with the United States mental health services. This memoir is a sad and riveting tale that shows the devastating affects of the lack of mental illness services in this country.
The memoir follows Issa Ibrahim life both before and after a horrible event that causes him to be admitted into New York's mental hospital. In the beginning of this story we are told about his lovely family, wonderful upbringing and interesting parenting skills of his family. The story get more tragic as the pages turn.
About two years later, he writes about an addiction that he has. He uses justifications of not doing harder drugs and begins to exhibt signs of schizophrenia. He feels like there is a link between him using marijuana and his mental illness. I am unsure if this is the case and not sure how I feel about this.
Ultimately he commits a horrible act and pleads insanity like many people do. He is committed to a mental hospital to carry out his sentence that frankly is borderline unfair in my opinion. The state of his sentence was rather ambiguous and open ended. They play around with him being able to be released.
While I feel like he did take some responsibility for his behavior and actions. I feel like he plays the victim a bit much. There was a bit of a pitty party and sort of undermines people that have been diagnosed with mental illness.
Thank you so much for sharing your story Issa Ibrahim. I was provided a free copy from Chicago Review Press for an honest and unbiased review.
imalwayswrite's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
lesliewmcrobbie's review
3.0
I enjoyed the content of this novel but greatly disliked the narrative structure. It felt jostled and haphazard, making it an occasionally confusing or jumbled read. There was a great deal of depth of meaning in this but the delivery was, in my opinion, flawed.
thebookgirl's review against another edition
4.0
Mental illness has affected my life in many ways. My mother has schizophrenia so when I was this book was avaliable for review I need to give it a chance.
This book is perfect for the time. We are currently evaluating and fighting for change with the United States mental health services. This memoir is a sad and riveting tale that shows the devastating affects of the lack of mental illness services in this country.
The memoir follows Issa Ibrahim life both before and after a horrible event that causes him to be admitted into New York's mental hospital. In the beginning of this story we are told about his lovely family, wonderful upbringing and interesting parenting skills of his family. The story get more tragic as the pages turn.
About two years later, he writes about an addiction that he has. He uses justifications of not doing harder drugs and begins to exhibt signs of schizophrenia. He feels like there is a link between him using marijuana and his mental illness. I am unsure if this is the case and not sure how I feel about this.
Ultimately he commits a horrible act and pleads insanity like many people do. He is committed to a mental hospital to carry out his sentence that frankly is borderline unfair in my opinion. The state of his sentence was rather ambiguous and open ended. They play around with him being able to be released.
While I feel like he did take some responsibility for his behavior and actions. I feel like he plays the victim a bit much. There was a bit of a pitty party and sort of undermines people that have been diagnosed with mental illness.
Thank you so much for sharing your story Issa Ibrahim. I was provided a free copy from Chicago Review Press for an honest and unbiased review.
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