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410 reviews for:
What Made Maddy Run: The Secret Struggles and Tragic Death of an All-American Teen
Kate Fagan
4.2 AVERAGE
410 reviews for:
What Made Maddy Run: The Secret Struggles and Tragic Death of an All-American Teen
Kate Fagan
4.2 AVERAGE
This one. It kept me up. It kept me thinking. Even when I wasn’t reading about Maddy, I was thinking about her. As an educator, a mother - with one soon heading off to college- this fueled my thinking around mental illness, expectations, raising kiddos, social media...
I found myself angry at the world and ultimately heartbroken. Just heartbroken for Maddy, her family, her friends... an informative and emotional quick read.
I found myself angry at the world and ultimately heartbroken. Just heartbroken for Maddy, her family, her friends... an informative and emotional quick read.
Very sad, but insightful read. So many young adults are struggling with anxiety, and the author has some theories on the "why" of that which I have thought about as well. This girl's story is soul crushing and I would not recommend it for an anxious young adult or teen, but I would recommend it very strongly for their parents and guardians. My heart goes out to Maddy's family.
I read this book because it’s suicide prevention month, and I try to read a fiction and/or non fiction book for the month... I may still read a fiction but chose those book for several reasons, Maddy went to school in my home state, she played soccer, and dealt with depression, things we had in common... hearing her, and the author’s stories was at times difficult to process and hear and also therapeutic and I could identify in many ways with them and their feelings... my heart broke knowing that her life ended, for her, for her family and friends, and just because so many struggle, I struggle, daily with depression and/or anxiety, and suicidal thoughts... Maddy, I hope you found peace, I just wish it could have been without your loss.
TRIGGER WARNING.
This book contains talk of suicide (obviously) but also a detailed (but very respectful) description of a suicide.
While that chapter was very difficult for me to read, I think the author did a fantastic job covering the subject.
This book contains talk of suicide (obviously) but also a detailed (but very respectful) description of a suicide.
While that chapter was very difficult for me to read, I think the author did a fantastic job covering the subject.
TW: Suicide As a suicide survivor, I am very careful about what I choose to read and view that deals with suicide, because I never know what will be triggering, and I found this book to be very difficult. It was a book I have felt I needed to read for a long time, and now that I'm finished, I'm still not sure I'm "glad" I read it. Is it because Maddy and my son were the same age? Because I know Philadelphia so well that I can picture each location mentioned? I can't say. The writing itself is fine; It's journalistic. There are times that the author puts thoughts in Maddy's head that I'm not sure are substantiated by her research, but don't we all do that in trying to understand something like this? I'll be honest--I should have put this down and walked away at times. If you read this and find yourself feeling the same way, please do. Your own mental safety is far more important than finishing a book. But beyond that, the book is important.
An important read that pays respect to a young woman's life and struggles. The book faithfully attempts to document and invite conversations around suicide that are helpful and humane.
I didn't love the way in which Madison's texts were included; they offered a direct peek that I'm not sure was necessary and felt a bit invasive.
I didn't love the way in which Madison's texts were included; they offered a direct peek that I'm not sure was necessary and felt a bit invasive.
This is a wonderfully balanced story that is an important read for everyone.
It wasn’t what I expected. It’s equally Maddy’s partial story, mental health during the transition to college and the authors experience writing the book. It was interesting but I would have left the authors perspective out.
What Made Maddy Run is a nonfiction book about the life of Madison Holleran and her eventual suicide. This book addresses the challenges and pressures of sports and college and how depression can hide in a seemingly happy and successful person. This was an engaging read, and I was intrigued by the parts of Maddy’s life and the retelling of her struggle based on text messages and the perspective of her friends, family, and coaches. The author interjects things about her own life in random chapters which felt disjointed and unconnected and I found myself skimming or skipping those sections. Overall, it was an interesting read and I appreciated the statistics about mental health and suicide. This is an important topic, and I’m glad this book brought light to it. 4 stars for the sections on Maddy, 3 stars for the book overall with the disjointed chapters about the author.
A powerful read.
I was unfamiliar with the heartbreaking story of Maddy Holleran before picking up this book. She was a bright, talented young woman with an incredible future ahead of her. Until she took her own life at the age of 19.
While I appreciate Fagan's deep dive into Maddy's story; interviewing friends and family, diving deep into her emails, texts, and social media feeds. The research is there. Fagan's own personal story and experience with the college athlete helps her to connect on a fundamental level. But, there is no way that anyone can KNOW what Maddy was thinking or feeling in the months leading up to her suicide. Any attempt to try and figure that out is mere speculation.
However, this is an excellent read detailing how even when things look positive, the warning signs are there to see. I can't imagine the loss this family must still feel. My heart goes out to them.
I was unfamiliar with the heartbreaking story of Maddy Holleran before picking up this book. She was a bright, talented young woman with an incredible future ahead of her. Until she took her own life at the age of 19.
While I appreciate Fagan's deep dive into Maddy's story; interviewing friends and family, diving deep into her emails, texts, and social media feeds. The research is there. Fagan's own personal story and experience with the college athlete helps her to connect on a fundamental level. But, there is no way that anyone can KNOW what Maddy was thinking or feeling in the months leading up to her suicide. Any attempt to try and figure that out is mere speculation.
However, this is an excellent read detailing how even when things look positive, the warning signs are there to see. I can't imagine the loss this family must still feel. My heart goes out to them.