A review by cbksargent
While You Were Out: An Intimate Family Portrait of Mental Illness in an Era of Silence by Meg Kissinger

5.0

Oh man. I’m going to need a minute to let this one settle. The subject and story is heart wrenching (TW: mental health and suicide) but the author writes in such a beautiful way that you just can’t put the book down. The examination of our country’s lack of mental health care alone makes this book a great read. I also found her descriptions and writings about how the Catholic Church was woven so tightly into their family life fascinating. (And I’m surprised she so devout to be honest.) This is a touching, educational, engrossing book that I’m so glad I read.