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shawnie_s's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
joe_cool91's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
deehawkins74's review
3.0
This was an ok read. It gave me some insight about people that have mental illness and their loved ones and what they have to go through. I have read books by this author in the past and will continue to read books by this author.
willwork4airfare's review against another edition
4.0
I am so conflicted on how I feel about this book.
On the very first page, from the writing style alone, I almost put it down and crossed it off my to be read list for good. Because of the subject matter though, I gave it another shot. I will say that it got easier, began to flow more naturally, and it kept the story moving along more fast-paced, but I never really got comfortable with it.
I like this book because it's doing so many amazing things. Not only is it about bipolar disorder and the concept of involuntary hospitalization, subjects I will read almost any book about, but it's a story about a black girl with mental illness, and
But, on the other hand, while it was interesting to read about it from the mother's perspective, and I really appreciated the insights and the emotional honesty of the narrator, I really didn't like how they portrayed Trina and her bipolar disorder. Other than her mother's proud memories of her as a star student about to go to Brown, I didn't really get to know her as the stable, loving person she supposedly was most of the time. Any and all of Trina's behaviors made her mother worry to no end, and while I can't imagine the anguish a parent of a mentally ill child goes through when they go missing, any action of Trina's that her mother didn't explicitly approve of sent her running to the police and calling all the hospitals. In general, I disagree with involuntary hospitalizations. They should be used sparingly and only as a last resort. There is no question that the system is broken, and I loved how her mother was willing to break laws and risk everything to get her daughter help that would actually help, but Trina and all people with mental illnesses are their own people and being placed on a locked ward without your consent as an adult is a traumatizing experience. I had never heard of conservatorship before and that concept scares me greatly.
At the same time, I loved most of the characters in the book and many of them were not afraid to call Keri out on her nonsense. She was definitely more wrapped up in the idea of who her daughter was "meant" to be and had trouble understanding that Trina's illness is lifelong and incurable. That doesn't mean her life is over or has less value, it just may not be what you expected and planned for before. I'm sure that my own mother can relate. I liked the parallel with Angelica, who has borderline personality disorder. I liked the honesty behind Keri trying not to compare the two girls and reassure herself that her daughter wasn't as bad. And I also love that Angelica made it to the other therapy and continued with it, so that the book didn't imply that it was a bad idea, just not the right course for Trina perhaps.
Too much of this book is too close to home for me. My biggest complaint is that I wish we heard more of Trina's point of view, or at least got a better look at her outside of her sickness, and just the general writing style. Overall, I thought the book was suspenseful and quick, easy to read and hard to put down. I liked the plot and the characters, the arc of the narrative, and most of all, the honest portrayal of a very real problem. I don't believe it's the full story, but it's a very compelling insight into one side of it. I didn't want to like it as much as I did, but I'm glad I stuck with it in the end.
On the very first page, from the writing style alone, I almost put it down and crossed it off my to be read list for good. Because of the subject matter though, I gave it another shot. I will say that it got easier, began to flow more naturally, and it kept the story moving along more fast-paced, but I never really got comfortable with it.
I like this book because it's doing so many amazing things. Not only is it about bipolar disorder and the concept of involuntary hospitalization, subjects I will read almost any book about, but it's a story about a black girl with mental illness, and
Spoiler
she does not get magically better by the end. There is no cut and dry happy ending. But nor does it end in tragedy and death. It's just a snapshot in time of a real condition that real people are out there living with every day.But, on the other hand, while it was interesting to read about it from the mother's perspective, and I really appreciated the insights and the emotional honesty of the narrator, I really didn't like how they portrayed Trina and her bipolar disorder. Other than her mother's proud memories of her as a star student about to go to Brown, I didn't really get to know her as the stable, loving person she supposedly was most of the time. Any and all of Trina's behaviors made her mother worry to no end, and while I can't imagine the anguish a parent of a mentally ill child goes through when they go missing, any action of Trina's that her mother didn't explicitly approve of sent her running to the police and calling all the hospitals. In general, I disagree with involuntary hospitalizations. They should be used sparingly and only as a last resort. There is no question that the system is broken, and I loved how her mother was willing to break laws and risk everything to get her daughter help that would actually help, but Trina and all people with mental illnesses are their own people and being placed on a locked ward without your consent as an adult is a traumatizing experience. I had never heard of conservatorship before and that concept scares me greatly.
At the same time, I loved most of the characters in the book and many of them were not afraid to call Keri out on her nonsense. She was definitely more wrapped up in the idea of who her daughter was "meant" to be and had trouble understanding that Trina's illness is lifelong and incurable. That doesn't mean her life is over or has less value, it just may not be what you expected and planned for before. I'm sure that my own mother can relate. I liked the parallel with Angelica, who has borderline personality disorder. I liked the honesty behind Keri trying not to compare the two girls and reassure herself that her daughter wasn't as bad. And I also love that Angelica made it to the other therapy and continued with it, so that the book didn't imply that it was a bad idea, just not the right course for Trina perhaps.
Too much of this book is too close to home for me. My biggest complaint is that I wish we heard more of Trina's point of view, or at least got a better look at her outside of her sickness, and just the general writing style. Overall, I thought the book was suspenseful and quick, easy to read and hard to put down. I liked the plot and the characters, the arc of the narrative, and most of all, the honest portrayal of a very real problem. I don't believe it's the full story, but it's a very compelling insight into one side of it. I didn't want to like it as much as I did, but I'm glad I stuck with it in the end.
moonblink39's review
3.0
I almost didn't finish it. The start was a bit slow and repetitive but I'm glad I stuck with it. It was a real eye opener.
lovemeknots's review against another edition
4.0
The book started off slow but one it picked up it was pretty interesting. I was intrigued to read about Trina's highs and lows and her mothers fight to find the best care options for her.
ceritalashone93's review
5.0
Wonderful
This was a very good book..once I got time to read it I couldn't put it down..very wonderful read..I will find more to read
This was a very good book..once I got time to read it I couldn't put it down..very wonderful read..I will find more to read
lifeinpoetry's review
5.0
I read this book anxiously the first half. First because I wondered if it'd be another story where the magical parent/psychiatrist/treatment program saves the day. Then because Keri's trip with Trina, her daughter cycling in and out of psychiatric hospitals, for the miracle cure seemed the stuff of nightmares and something that could easily veer into someone dying or being incarcerated for fruitless search in the hope of ensuring capitalism's version of success, the American dream.
Then they do not become a victim of a human trafficking ring, there is no miracle cure, and it all came together for me.
I feel that a lot of the work I read about the parents of a psychiatrically disabled child look for ways to exonerate themselves, their child, (some of) their family and/or partner so it was good to read fiction in which the mother makes a huge mistake and works on correcting it, fights for having a life outside her child's illness, has to learn how to let herself be vulnerable, and has to let go of the idea she has to always be the nurturer. The desire to change someone to who they were before mental illness must seem irresistible. I can sympathize though I'm not sure if I'd have forgiven.
I also love that for once the protagonist of fiction involving mental illness is a Black woman and that 72 Hour Hold was written by a Black woman based on her own experiences with her bipolar daughter. Mental health fiction from outside the white perspective written by someone who isn't white and is a respected writer isn't your everyday book. It was exactly what I needed. There are references to certain instances where race complicates Keri's attempts to save her daughter. The instances were she warns police that Trina is mentally ill and begs them not to shoot her while directing them to Trina's room because a disproportionate amount of people killed by police are Black and/or disabled/mentally ill. There is also the isolation she felt within the Black community due to there being more stigma surrounding mental illness and its treatment than in white America, the mistrust by the very people she was seeking aid from because of racial bias (whether the the bias is conscious or not is unimportant), and multiple microaggressions before that word had become part of our everyday vernacular. It's life, uncomfortable or unnecessary as it may seem for some.
It's a story to hold onto even as I wait for one that will illuminate my own mother.
Then they do not become a victim of a human trafficking ring, there is no miracle cure, and it all came together for me.
I feel that a lot of the work I read about the parents of a psychiatrically disabled child look for ways to exonerate themselves, their child, (some of) their family and/or partner so it was good to read fiction in which the mother makes a huge mistake and works on correcting it, fights for having a life outside her child's illness, has to learn how to let herself be vulnerable, and has to let go of the idea she has to always be the nurturer. The desire to change someone to who they were before mental illness must seem irresistible. I can sympathize though I'm not sure if I'd have forgiven.
I also love that for once the protagonist of fiction involving mental illness is a Black woman and that 72 Hour Hold was written by a Black woman based on her own experiences with her bipolar daughter. Mental health fiction from outside the white perspective written by someone who isn't white and is a respected writer isn't your everyday book. It was exactly what I needed. There are references to certain instances where race complicates Keri's attempts to save her daughter. The instances were she warns police that Trina is mentally ill and begs them not to shoot her while directing them to Trina's room because a disproportionate amount of people killed by police are Black and/or disabled/mentally ill. There is also the isolation she felt within the Black community due to there being more stigma surrounding mental illness and its treatment than in white America, the mistrust by the very people she was seeking aid from because of racial bias (whether the the bias is conscious or not is unimportant), and multiple microaggressions before that word had become part of our everyday vernacular. It's life, uncomfortable or unnecessary as it may seem for some.
It's a story to hold onto even as I wait for one that will illuminate my own mother.
latoyabereading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0