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darling_robot's review against another edition
3.0
Jo Brand has the experience of working with mental health patients in "looney bins", as one may call them, so she takes an exceptional look, not at the patient Gina, but at the lives that the patient has the greatest effect on, particularly her daughter, Alice. It's a great book and explores Alice's feelings of self-worth, her surroundings, and her sexuality. It's serious yet, heart-felt and at times, funny. I enjoyed it greatly. Even more so that everyone finds where they belong at the end.
marie_gg's review against another edition
3.0
Author Jo Brand is a former psychiatric nurse-turned comedian-turned writer. Her first novel is about Alice, whose mum Gina suffers from schizophrenia. She's in and out of the mental hospital, and when she's heavily medicated, she's a shadow of her former self.
Alice and her dad Keith do their best to care for her and love her--but she's not terribly unlovable. Finally, Alice conspires to give Gina a break from her medication, and all hell breaks loose. Gina's form of mental illness is to fixate and obsess on a particular man, convinced that they are meant for each other. This time, Gina's target of affection is Alice's own obsession, Morrissey from the rock band, The Smiths.
In the Herefordshire countryside, Alice and her family are surrounded by Alice's school mates, a horrible bully, Gina's crazy family (aptly named the Wildgooses), Keith's social-climbing parents, and the family doctor (named Marie!), who is in love with Alice's dad.
The book veers into slapstick and tries to accomplish way too much at times (with bunches of side storylines), but Brand handles the subject matter sensitively and wisely. She gives insight into what it would be like to live with a mentally ill mother (or wife), and she manages to make Gina into a sympathetic figure, even as she is difficult and unlikable.
Alice and her dad Keith do their best to care for her and love her--but she's not terribly unlovable. Finally, Alice conspires to give Gina a break from her medication, and all hell breaks loose. Gina's form of mental illness is to fixate and obsess on a particular man, convinced that they are meant for each other. This time, Gina's target of affection is Alice's own obsession, Morrissey from the rock band, The Smiths.
In the Herefordshire countryside, Alice and her family are surrounded by Alice's school mates, a horrible bully, Gina's crazy family (aptly named the Wildgooses), Keith's social-climbing parents, and the family doctor (named Marie!), who is in love with Alice's dad.
The book veers into slapstick and tries to accomplish way too much at times (with bunches of side storylines), but Brand handles the subject matter sensitively and wisely. She gives insight into what it would be like to live with a mentally ill mother (or wife), and she manages to make Gina into a sympathetic figure, even as she is difficult and unlikable.
cressyda's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful look at a family dealing with mental illness and learning how to be happy again. Brand's writing is quick and clear, while her sense of the absurd is razor sharp. I especially enjoyed her depiction of teenage life in the 80's, as her descriptions were vivid and reminiscent of my own awkward adolescence.
The dialogue is minimal (most of the writing comes in the form of exposition and characterization), but the depth of her characters was impressive and the arcs of their journeys were very satisfying.
The book was both tragic and comedic enough to keep me riveted, and inspired me to stay up well past my bedtime and witness the trials of poor Alice.
I found, The More You Ignore Me, a thoroughly enjoyable read, and wouldn't hesitate to read it again.
The dialogue is minimal (most of the writing comes in the form of exposition and characterization), but the depth of her characters was impressive and the arcs of their journeys were very satisfying.
The book was both tragic and comedic enough to keep me riveted, and inspired me to stay up well past my bedtime and witness the trials of poor Alice.
I found, The More You Ignore Me, a thoroughly enjoyable read, and wouldn't hesitate to read it again.
lefa's review against another edition
4.0
This was the first book of Brand's I have read, despite loving her stand up. It didn't disappoint.
aaliya87's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
regardingreading's review
3.0
Heartwarming and funny, yes. But I also felt that parts were missing. Big time jumps kind of annoyed me.
chocolate3cake's review
I read this book years ago, mostly because it was the only one I could find that was set in my home. I can't with good conscience give this a review but thanks, Jo Brand, for giving Herefordshire some much needed literary representation.
sallyturbitt's review
3.0
Jo Brand's experience as a psych nurse has allowed her to tell Alice and her family's story with wit and tenderness. Growing up with a mother with a mental illness makes Alice's life difficult, frustrating and lacking in love and motherly affection. As Alice searches for herself and for the mother she has lost, she discovers Morrissey and love. I really enjoyed this book.
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