A review by inquiry_from_an_anti_library
You Are Not a Stranger Here by Adam Haslett

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Is This A Collection Overview? 

There are a variety of mental health problems that someone can face.  States of mind that makes the person feel isolated, alone, a stranger to everyone around them.  No one else can understand what the person is going through.  The person is in a state of mind that makes it difficult to connect with, makes their thoughts and behavior strange to others.  This is a book sharing a diverse set of people with various mental health problems.  To show that there are others who are going through mental health problems of their own.  To show that a person can find others, that the person is not a stranger to these characters.  Not a stranger within these pages.  

Collection Caveats? 

This is a collection of various short stories, which have mixed qualities.  Sometimes the short stories can bring an understanding of what other people are going through, sometimes more details would be advisable.  The stories show a variety of ways people resolve their problems, which are based on real choices, but there are some resolutions that are not advisable.  Better to seek help, then use the characters methods.  

 

Notes To My Biographer Overview? 

This is a story of Franklin Caldwell Singer, who is supposed to take medication, but does not take the medication.  Not wanting to take the medication, to not become docile.  A story of how the mind shapes how the individual perceives oneself and others.  Franklin is a supposed engineer, an entrepreneur.  Uses one’s mind in creative ways.  Seeing opportunities to improve everyone’s quality of life.  Seeing opportunities has consequences, of not seeing the consequences.   

This story is about Franklin wanting to see Franklin’s children.  With only Graham responding.  But when Franklin arrives, Franklin becomes distracted by the opportunities for projects.  Barely noticing, barely hearing Graham.  As Franklin spends time with Graham, Franklin becomes ever more anxious as Franklin sees that everyone in public is trying to steal Franklin’s ideas.  How can Graham be heard? 

The Good Doctor Overview? 

Frank Briggs is a doctor who is helping a mother handle the depression after losing a child.  Buckholdt tells the story of how the child died.  The story of the toll that drugs took on the child.  How erratic the child’s behavior had become.  As a mother, Buckholdt wanted to help, but the child made decisions that led to death.  To handle the depression, Buckholdt sometimes takes prescription medication.  

Frank knows and can provide the medication needed for Buckholdt, but wants to help more.  Wants more than the prescriptions, wants to have more regular conversations to help with the depression.  Buckholdt does improve with the medication, but claims to handle life without them.  Frank tries to impose more regular therapy sessions.  Why does Frank want to have proximity to Buckholdt? 

 

The Beginnings Of Grief Overview? 

A teenage boy has his life unraveled.  The death of both parents in quick succession.  Having to move into a home of strangers.  This is a story of how the boy handles grief, along with one’s gender identity.  During a time of stigma against homosexuality, the boy enjoys school to get closer to another boy.  The way the grief ridden boy gets attention from the boy he wants, is by antagonizing the boy he wants.  Antagonism that has a psychical response.  A cycle of self-harm forms.  Why does the grief ridden boy behave in a self-harming way?  What happens to the boy he wants? 

 

Devotion Overview? 

Owen and Hillary are brother and sister who are devoted to each other.  Their bond developed due to a loss of a parent when they were young.  Both end up liking Ben, for Ben can sympathize with their sadness.  Ben also experienced a tragic loss of a parent at a young age.  Hillary and Ben were together for a time until Ben had to move away due to a job.  Coming back into their lives many years later, married with children.  The siblings still care for Ben, but do not want to get in each other’s way.  They are more devoted to each other.  How did Ben effect the siblings? 

 

War's End Overview? 

Ellen and Paul are visiting another country.  Primarily for Paul’s mental health, but under the pretext of Ellen’s research.  Paul has become lethargic, depressed, barely able to make decisions for oneself.  The change of scenery was meant to help.  Years have already been spent on going from doctor to doctor when Ellen finds a better doctor.  Paul feels like a burden on Ellen.  

While waiting for Ellen, Paul meets McLaggan who is a grandmother of a dying grandchild, Albert.  Albert liked medieval history.  McLaggan asked if Paul can share stories of the era to Albert.  Medieval history was not Paul’s topic of expertise, but begins to speak.  Paul finds the energy to speak to Albert for a long duration.  Paul’s teaching appears to be a form of therapy.  What choice does Paul make when the trip comes to an end? 

 

Reunion Overview? 

James received a letter, which had prompted an immediate vacation from work.  The vacation was a pretext, as James left work completely.  James’s behavior changed drastically after receiving the letter, for James did not have long to live.  James initially becomes more involved, experimenting with what life has to offer.  But then becomes reclusive, with people noticing how James does not appear well.  Since getting the letter, James has been writing letters to James’s father.  Reflecting on one’s life, without sharing the cause of the letters.  What does James’s father think of the letters? 

 

Divination Overview? 

Samuel is a 12-year-old boy, who believes that Samuel can foresee someone’s death.  The observation started with Samuel’s teacher, Jevins.  Samuel had a bad feeling about Jevins, who was an elderly fellow.  Samuel was imagining the death of Jevins, and felt uncomfortable with those thoughts.  Shortly after, Jevins passed away.  Samuel becomes emotional about Jevins death, having foreseen it coming.  

Samuel’s mother referenced that Samuel was overcome with emotions when a grandparent passed.  Samuel’s older brother Trevor references something similar with their father.  Their father had a dream of a cousin’s death, and the cousin died shortly after.  Then Samuel has a dream, of Trevor dying during a forthcoming trip.  The parents use various methods to tell Samuel that Samuel cannot predict when people die, to not confuse what is real and what is not real.  But Samuel cannot let go of the feeling that something bad is going to happen to Trevor.  What happens to Trevor? 

 

My Father's Business Overview? 

Daniel has many mental health problems, some of which have been inherited from Daniel’s father.  Daniel is bipolar, alternating between mania and depression.  Therapists had tried to give Daniel various medications, which did not work.  To get to know oneself, Daniel makes various tapes which are left with the therapist.  

Before taking a trip to visit a friend, Daniel obtains the interview tapes, and some therapists notes.  Daniel is a bit afraid to look over the content, while does not want to be afraid of the information.  Then begins to get to know oneself, with the therapists’ notes providing a grim conclusion to Daniel’s health.  The taped interviews are of Daniel’s various friends and family members.  Who is Daniel interviewing? 

 

The Volunteer Overview? 

Elizabeth has been hospitalized for a long time, due to a history of seeing the dead.  Having a visceral experience with the dead.  The dead guide Elizabeth’s behaviors.  While institutionalized, Elizabeth is being visited by Ted.  Ted is volunteering to visit Elizabeth.  Ted is in school, on the verge of adulthood.  Elizabeth feels better when Ted visits, while Ted is able to talk to Elizabeth about relationship advice.  Elizabeth and Ted bond, but Elizabeth’s past intertwines with their present.  How does Elizabeth’s past effect Ted?