Take a photo of a barcode or cover
shyuanie 's review for:
Words on Bathroom Walls
by Julia Walton
#mentalhealthathon
Prompts: Schizophrenia rep
4.5 stars
I love it!
This story was told through journal entries that Adam is writing to his therapist. Since Adam decided to not to speak at all during his session so this is how both of them "talk". It is pretty interesting because it feels like the reader took the role of a therapist. And how often did you ever see a character who was so angry at the reader? I love it.
The story was also informative. It introduces the positive and negative symptoms of Schizophrenia, side effects of the medication etc. I know we could just google online about all these facts but to include this in the book was great. Because you're educating people who might not know about this. And if they are interested in it they will find ways to know more.
Besides that, I was so moved by Adam's journey in understanding himself and others better. It broke my heart to know that he was afraid of himself. That he might hurt somebody if he loses control. I also really enjoyed that Adam could interact with his hallucination. I mean come on there is a mobster hallucination. I was mind blown after the revelation of one of his hallucination.
The parents were amazing! Adam's mom was super protective (in a very good way) and his step-dad was always there for him even when Adam thought that he was afraid of his schizophrenia. I really love the part where his step-dad defend him and called him his son. I swear to you, I teared up a little there. I'm telling you the parents were really that good. Especially, when you don't get to see a lot of good parents in YA novel so this is a plus point.
His friends were awesome too! Maya is the cute and logic robot girlfriend where else Dwight is the super nerdy and talkative boy. I just love how they were always there for Adam even when they know he is schizophrenic. Both of them at the end though! Friendship goals. For people that know me, they know I'm very picky with romance. But the romance here was realistic and it doesn't feel like it is romanticizing mental illness. I mean how can I say no to a super supportive girlfriend that helps you to understand that you're not alone?
Aside from all the positive side of the story, there are a few downsides that didn't click with me. First, the story was predictable. I absolutely saw that coming and the way everyone reacted to it was just what I expected it to be. Second, I thought that the author was hinting some medical issues that Dwight has but it was just brush off. Especially, when Dwight was described to be as pale as a paper and both of their mom was talking about something. Which lead to them to have tennis every Monday. There has to be something going on, right?
Anyway, it's a heartbreaking and honest book and I freaking love it! When I was told that it is going to be turned into a movie I was so happy and anxious at the same time. I hope the movie does justice for the book.
Quotes that I like:
"I get that my hallucinations aren’t the most trustworthy people, but sometimes I feel like they’re trying to tell me something I can’t see on my own."
"It must be nice having someone to come home to every day. Someone to be gross with."
"Cancer Kid has the Make-A-Wish Foundation because Cancer Kid will eventually die, and that’s sad. Schizophrenia Kid will also eventually die, but before he does, he will be overmedicated with a plethora of drugs, he will alienate everyone he’s ever really cared about, and he will most likely wind up on the street, living with a cat that will eat him when he dies. That is also sad, but nobody gives him a wish, because he isn’t actively dying. It is abundantly clear that we only care about sick people who are dying tragic, time-sensitive deaths."
"Writing it down makes it feel more remote, like I can crumple this entry up and destroy it before anyone has the chance to read it. Once words tumble out of your mouth, there’s no room for editing. It’s out there."
"It doesn’t really matter that no one else can see what I see. That doesn’t make my experiences any less real."
"Real is subjective. There are a lot of things that aren’t actually real to everyone. Pain, for example. It’s only real to the one experiencing it. Everyone else has to take your word for it."
Prompts: Schizophrenia rep
4.5 stars
I love it!
This story was told through journal entries that Adam is writing to his therapist. Since Adam decided to not to speak at all during his session so this is how both of them "talk". It is pretty interesting because it feels like the reader took the role of a therapist. And how often did you ever see a character who was so angry at the reader? I love it.
The story was also informative. It introduces the positive and negative symptoms of Schizophrenia, side effects of the medication etc. I know we could just google online about all these facts but to include this in the book was great. Because you're educating people who might not know about this. And if they are interested in it they will find ways to know more.
Besides that, I was so moved by Adam's journey in understanding himself and others better. It broke my heart to know that he was afraid of himself. That he might hurt somebody if he loses control. I also really enjoyed that Adam could interact with his hallucination. I mean come on there is a mobster hallucination. I was mind blown after the revelation of one of his hallucination.
Spoiler
How could I not see that Rebecca was actually HIM? Gosh, now it hurts even more.The parents were amazing! Adam's mom was super protective (in a very good way) and his step-dad was always there for him even when Adam thought that he was afraid of his schizophrenia. I really love the part where his step-dad defend him and called him his son. I swear to you, I teared up a little there. I'm telling you the parents were really that good. Especially, when you don't get to see a lot of good parents in YA novel so this is a plus point.
His friends were awesome too! Maya is the cute and logic robot girlfriend where else Dwight is the super nerdy and talkative boy. I just love how they were always there for Adam even when they know he is schizophrenic. Both of them at the end though! Friendship goals. For people that know me, they know I'm very picky with romance. But the romance here was realistic and it doesn't feel like it is romanticizing mental illness. I mean how can I say no to a super supportive girlfriend that helps you to understand that you're not alone?
Aside from all the positive side of the story, there are a few downsides that didn't click with me. First, the story was predictable. I absolutely saw that coming and the way everyone reacted to it was just what I expected it to be. Second, I thought that the author was hinting some medical issues that Dwight has but it was just brush off. Especially, when Dwight was described to be as pale as a paper and both of their mom was talking about something. Which lead to them to have tennis every Monday. There has to be something going on, right?
Anyway, it's a heartbreaking and honest book and I freaking love it! When I was told that it is going to be turned into a movie I was so happy and anxious at the same time. I hope the movie does justice for the book.
Quotes that I like:
"I get that my hallucinations aren’t the most trustworthy people, but sometimes I feel like they’re trying to tell me something I can’t see on my own."
"It must be nice having someone to come home to every day. Someone to be gross with."
"Cancer Kid has the Make-A-Wish Foundation because Cancer Kid will eventually die, and that’s sad. Schizophrenia Kid will also eventually die, but before he does, he will be overmedicated with a plethora of drugs, he will alienate everyone he’s ever really cared about, and he will most likely wind up on the street, living with a cat that will eat him when he dies. That is also sad, but nobody gives him a wish, because he isn’t actively dying. It is abundantly clear that we only care about sick people who are dying tragic, time-sensitive deaths."
"Writing it down makes it feel more remote, like I can crumple this entry up and destroy it before anyone has the chance to read it. Once words tumble out of your mouth, there’s no room for editing. It’s out there."
"It doesn’t really matter that no one else can see what I see. That doesn’t make my experiences any less real."
"Real is subjective. There are a lot of things that aren’t actually real to everyone. Pain, for example. It’s only real to the one experiencing it. Everyone else has to take your word for it."