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readingjag's review
3.0
Very interesting, sometimes disjointed account of Vonnegut's life with mental illness. You get some family history, some descriptions of what it's like to go crazy, and actually a lot of discussion about the horrible state of medical care in this country. Vonnegut goes to Harvard Medical school after a hospitalization for schizophrenia (although he points out that now he'd be diagnosed as bipolar) and he becomes a top pediatrician. He also deals with alcoholism, his father's death, more breakdowns, and a failed marriage.
penandpencil's review
4.0
An interesting memoir focusing mostly on hos role as a physician and the medical system in the US, Mark Vonnegut is obviously a fascinating person who has been though a lot. His compassion and care for fellow human beings is evident, a lot of wisdom here. Writing style was a bit weird for me, the book is more like short anecdotes strung together, several times I had to re-read to figure out what he was talking actually saying.
jesterbrooks's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
I think Mark did inherit some of his writing style from his father Kurt, being witty and finding interesting ways to talk about sometimes very dark things. It makes this memoir for me a good read. A mostly literal narrative about his life and struggle with mental illness, every now and then some very profound ideas and passages came out that made me pause and reflect.
It's not particularly challenging, long, or painful to read, so I blew through it in a few days, enjoying 90% of it thoroughly.
Would recommend.
I put Eden Express on my list, will definitely read more of him.
It's not particularly challenging, long, or painful to read, so I blew through it in a few days, enjoying 90% of it thoroughly.
Would recommend.
I put Eden Express on my list, will definitely read more of him.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Medical content
Moderate: Suicide and Alcoholism
kellyzen's review
5.0
Someone asked Mark Vonnegut how he is different from someone without mental illness. He responded, “I’m just like someone without mental illness, only more so.” Instantly, I have a new favorite book title of all time. I found myself unable to approach this book with a neutral stance. Nothing wrong with that; it just makes my star rating idiosyncratic, influenced as it is by shared moreness/excess/whatever you want to call it.
In this memoir, Mark Vonnegut broadly details the psychotic breaks that resulted in a diagnosis of schizophrenia, which was later amended to a diagnosis of manic depression, which is now termed bipolar disorder in a bid to reduce stigma. (His response to that effort: “Good luck.” I loled.)
He also includes meditations on being a doctor, the role of art, being Kurt Vonnegut’s son (which does not seem easy), and America’s broken medical system. Comparisons to his father must be frustrating, but there are moments of undeniable symmetry in their sardonicism and they brought me true joy.
Some choice quotes:
On the indignity of not getting admitted to the good mental hospital:
Without prelude or explanation, I'm in four-point restraints in my boxer shorts on a gourney of the hospital where I once trained and currently still work. I'm [a Harvard Medical School] alum, HMS faculty. . . and I didn't even get into McLean's?
On the cruelty of his illness:
I was so quickly in tatters, what was the good of all that overachievement? It should have taken longer for my proud crust of wellness to be so utterly gone.
On art:
Without art you're stuck with yourself as you are and life as you think it is.
In this memoir, Mark Vonnegut broadly details the psychotic breaks that resulted in a diagnosis of schizophrenia, which was later amended to a diagnosis of manic depression, which is now termed bipolar disorder in a bid to reduce stigma. (His response to that effort: “Good luck.” I loled.)
He also includes meditations on being a doctor, the role of art, being Kurt Vonnegut’s son (which does not seem easy), and America’s broken medical system. Comparisons to his father must be frustrating, but there are moments of undeniable symmetry in their sardonicism and they brought me true joy.
Some choice quotes:
On the indignity of not getting admitted to the good mental hospital:
Without prelude or explanation, I'm in four-point restraints in my boxer shorts on a gourney of the hospital where I once trained and currently still work. I'm [a Harvard Medical School] alum, HMS faculty. . . and I didn't even get into McLean's?
On the cruelty of his illness:
I was so quickly in tatters, what was the good of all that overachievement? It should have taken longer for my proud crust of wellness to be so utterly gone.
On art:
Without art you're stuck with yourself as you are and life as you think it is.
polkadots_pints's review
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I expected this book to be more directly about his mental health journey. While there are definitely sections devoted to it, the majority of the book is more generally autobiographical, and much focuses on his journey to becoming a doctor. Mental illness is always an underlying theme (and fear for the author), as it is in life when you have a chronic mental illness, but it is about so much more of his life than I thought it would be. This isn't a negative thing - he's a great writer, his story is very engaging, and it's fun to get a sneak peak into the Vonnegut family from his perspective.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Medical content, Mental illness, Addiction, Alcohol, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
norspider's review against another edition
4.0
This memoir chronicles the life of its author, Dr. Mark Vonnegut as he struggles with bipolar disorder (before there was a name for it) and alcoholism.
You can tell Vonnegut, like his father Kurt, is a gifted storyteller. And he truly cares about the message he is trying to convey. So many wonderful stories and quotes are in these pages.
I connected with this book because of my own mental health journey, and history with alcohol. It offers inspiration.
It doesn't feel right to give a number ranking to someone's personal story. But I would recommend this to anyone who has struggled with mental health, addiction, or both.
You can tell Vonnegut, like his father Kurt, is a gifted storyteller. And he truly cares about the message he is trying to convey. So many wonderful stories and quotes are in these pages.
I connected with this book because of my own mental health journey, and history with alcohol. It offers inspiration.
It doesn't feel right to give a number ranking to someone's personal story. But I would recommend this to anyone who has struggled with mental health, addiction, or both.
kayla_can_read's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed it. It felt not exactly like a diary but diary/interview/conversation adjacent. Where some pieces were left out and bits muddles but all collectively felt true and honest to the doctor. Some bits should’ve been removed others extended definitely, but it would no longer ring as clearly.