liroa15 's review for:

The Crazy Game: How I Survived in the Crease and Beyond by Clint Malarchuk, Dan Robson

4.0

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This is a phenomenally difficult book to read. Like some other hockey autobiographies (notably Fleury and Kennedy), it is not particularly well written, but it is engaging. Malarchuk discusses his mental illness very candidly, much more candidly than one might expect. He also, at least, it seems to me, tries to present as honest a picture of himself as possible. The picture he presents is not always, or even often, a likable one, but I think it is an important one, especially for those either suffering from mental illness or the loved ones of those suffering from mental illness. Without going into any of the details, I think it's very important for there to be an honest dialogue about the effects of mental illness, especially on a group of people like hockey players, where mental illness is only starting to become a part of the conversation. I hope for nothing but the best for Malarchuk, even though he himself acknowledges that it will be a difficult road.