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judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
This is my third book by Amy Hatvany, and each one of them is sooooo deserving of 5 stars+. I am delighted I found this author through my reading of Sarah Pekkanen’s books (another one of my favorites)!
I could not put “Outside the Lines” down- Amy did an outstanding job of capturing the experience of mental illness, with the alternating perspectives of David (father) and Eden (daughter), as well as moving back and forth in time. It gave much insight and depth to each of the characters, feelings, and emotions. Amy’s subject matter is so real with raw emotion--the family dynamics, making each of her books so unique.
I could really sympathize with all the characters, and put in this situation, not sure how I would have reacted. Lydia did all she could do in protecting her daughter and at some point in time, you become an enabler. In the end, David did not enjoy being trapped and being on the streets, gave him the freedom.
The character of Jack was amazing and the dynamics of his relationship with Eden, as well as her relationship with stepbrother and stepfather. In a way, I feel Jack could sympathize with David, as he too chose a path of freedom away from this own controlling father.
I do believe highly talented creative artistic minds work differently, and they demand a lot of solitude in order to create their masterpieces; being drugged and hospitalized would take away that inspiration.
The ending was brilliant and loved everything about this novel – it will bring tears. The love the author put into this book, the research, and her background working in shelters, —definitely reflected throughout. (I can just picture the Garden of Eden) and have a few of the cast members in mind for a possible movie!
I could not put “Outside the Lines” down- Amy did an outstanding job of capturing the experience of mental illness, with the alternating perspectives of David (father) and Eden (daughter), as well as moving back and forth in time. It gave much insight and depth to each of the characters, feelings, and emotions. Amy’s subject matter is so real with raw emotion--the family dynamics, making each of her books so unique.
I could really sympathize with all the characters, and put in this situation, not sure how I would have reacted. Lydia did all she could do in protecting her daughter and at some point in time, you become an enabler. In the end, David did not enjoy being trapped and being on the streets, gave him the freedom.
The character of Jack was amazing and the dynamics of his relationship with Eden, as well as her relationship with stepbrother and stepfather. In a way, I feel Jack could sympathize with David, as he too chose a path of freedom away from this own controlling father.
I do believe highly talented creative artistic minds work differently, and they demand a lot of solitude in order to create their masterpieces; being drugged and hospitalized would take away that inspiration.
The ending was brilliant and loved everything about this novel – it will bring tears. The love the author put into this book, the research, and her background working in shelters, —definitely reflected throughout. (I can just picture the Garden of Eden) and have a few of the cast members in mind for a possible movie!
kdurham2's review against another edition
5.0
A book where mental illness takes center stage, but the reader gets a full picture with this read - from both the person fighting the illness to the family that is affected by the highs and the lows of the disease. The format of this book was a perfect way to share the story both what is currently happening to the full story of the past.
From the beginning we meet Eden who has been severely damaged by her father's battle with a mental illness. She has struggled with her romantic relationships and can not find fulfillment at her job. Throughout the book you read the past from both her perspective and her fathers and learn why she has come to be the adult she is now. I absolutely loved reading the perspective of her father and having moments in his head as he tried to conform to society's standards and be a father and a husband.
A story that hits you deep in your heart and makes you want to rescue her from her expectations of a father that can't live up to them. I fell hard into this book and was swallowed hole by the story. I couldn't put down if I tried!
From the beginning we meet Eden who has been severely damaged by her father's battle with a mental illness. She has struggled with her romantic relationships and can not find fulfillment at her job. Throughout the book you read the past from both her perspective and her fathers and learn why she has come to be the adult she is now. I absolutely loved reading the perspective of her father and having moments in his head as he tried to conform to society's standards and be a father and a husband.
A story that hits you deep in your heart and makes you want to rescue her from her expectations of a father that can't live up to them. I fell hard into this book and was swallowed hole by the story. I couldn't put down if I tried!
amibunk's review against another edition
2.0
The changing perspective in this novel was interesting, but the writing felt lackluster and simplistic. The romance angle, especially, read as contrived and cliched.
machadofam8's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know a lot about bi-polar disorder but I felt like this captured it well. Great characters, great story.
j_elphaba's review against another edition
4.0
Opinião completa em: http://historiasdeelphaba.blogspot.pt/2014/05/o-jardim-das-memorias-amy-hatvany_15.html
Dotada de uma sensibilidade extraordinária, O Jardim das Memórias é uma história deliciosa que nos fala com naturalidade sobre as diversas acepções da palavra amor. É, igualmente, uma história que oferece uma interessante perspectiva sobre a mente humana e os seus requintes complexos. E é, particularmente, uma história sobre duas vidas tão comuns quanto singulares, duas vidas muito diferentes e intrinsecamente unidas, apaixonadas pela arte.
Como tão bem elucida a sinopse, a narrativa de Amy Hatvany é essencialmente sobre procura. A procura da protagonista Eden pelo seu pai há muito desaparecido e a procura por si própria, numa tentativa de apaziguar lembranças traumáticas e fechar um ciclo que ficou em aberto vinte anos antes, quando assistiu à tentativa de suicídio do seu progenitor.
Nesta jornada, previsivelmente, Eden acaba por ir muito mais além do que poderia ter imaginado e a vida oferece-lhe, mais do que uma reflexão sobre si mesma, aprendizagens e um novo olhar sobre o mundo, enquanto cresce e descobre o seu caminho para a felicidade.
Mesclando de forma fluida o passado e o presente, através de capítulos intercalados, o leitor vai conhecendo de forma contínua e profunda pai e filha, David e Eden, apercebendo-se da dimensão das suas emoções e dos seus pensamentos, relativamente à complicada condição familiar a que estão/foram sujeitos. Dito isto, em relação a Eden, uma mulher bela e trabalhadora, é particularmente interessante percebe-la enquanto criança e ver como os seus comportamentos, vinte anos depois, ainda são influenciados por uma infância em que a sua inocência foi corrompida. Já David, maculado pela sua loucura, acaba por ter como maior atractivo a sua visão distorcida da realidade e a sua mente perturbada, confusa, que nos faz temer por si ao longo de todo o texto.
No geral, acho que ambos têm igual protagonismo pela forma como estão tão ligados um ao outro, mesmo estando fisicamente afastados, e é sem dúvida uma mais-valia as diferentes perspectivas que possibilitam de uma mesma situação.
Ainda relativamente a personagens, existem vários intervenientes secundários que pontuam o texto de forma bastante positiva, como é o caso, em especial, de Jack, ou de Juan e Lydia. E embora, na maioria dos casos, todos tenham uma determinada influência no enredo, a verdade é que chamam a atenção pelas temáticas que permitem abordar, algo que torna a história particularmente enriquecedora.
(...)
Dotada de uma sensibilidade extraordinária, O Jardim das Memórias é uma história deliciosa que nos fala com naturalidade sobre as diversas acepções da palavra amor. É, igualmente, uma história que oferece uma interessante perspectiva sobre a mente humana e os seus requintes complexos. E é, particularmente, uma história sobre duas vidas tão comuns quanto singulares, duas vidas muito diferentes e intrinsecamente unidas, apaixonadas pela arte.
Como tão bem elucida a sinopse, a narrativa de Amy Hatvany é essencialmente sobre procura. A procura da protagonista Eden pelo seu pai há muito desaparecido e a procura por si própria, numa tentativa de apaziguar lembranças traumáticas e fechar um ciclo que ficou em aberto vinte anos antes, quando assistiu à tentativa de suicídio do seu progenitor.
Nesta jornada, previsivelmente, Eden acaba por ir muito mais além do que poderia ter imaginado e a vida oferece-lhe, mais do que uma reflexão sobre si mesma, aprendizagens e um novo olhar sobre o mundo, enquanto cresce e descobre o seu caminho para a felicidade.
Mesclando de forma fluida o passado e o presente, através de capítulos intercalados, o leitor vai conhecendo de forma contínua e profunda pai e filha, David e Eden, apercebendo-se da dimensão das suas emoções e dos seus pensamentos, relativamente à complicada condição familiar a que estão/foram sujeitos. Dito isto, em relação a Eden, uma mulher bela e trabalhadora, é particularmente interessante percebe-la enquanto criança e ver como os seus comportamentos, vinte anos depois, ainda são influenciados por uma infância em que a sua inocência foi corrompida. Já David, maculado pela sua loucura, acaba por ter como maior atractivo a sua visão distorcida da realidade e a sua mente perturbada, confusa, que nos faz temer por si ao longo de todo o texto.
No geral, acho que ambos têm igual protagonismo pela forma como estão tão ligados um ao outro, mesmo estando fisicamente afastados, e é sem dúvida uma mais-valia as diferentes perspectivas que possibilitam de uma mesma situação.
Ainda relativamente a personagens, existem vários intervenientes secundários que pontuam o texto de forma bastante positiva, como é o caso, em especial, de Jack, ou de Juan e Lydia. E embora, na maioria dos casos, todos tenham uma determinada influência no enredo, a verdade é que chamam a atenção pelas temáticas que permitem abordar, algo que torna a história particularmente enriquecedora.
(...)
readincolour's review against another edition
3.0
All my father's secrets felt like stones in my belly. I was sure if I fell over the side of a ship, I'd sink.
Ever since she was a little girl, Eden West has kept a closely guarded secret. Her father's mental embarrassed her more times than she cared to remember. Causing scenes at school, in restaurants and with the neighbors, Eden knows he would do better if only he would take his medicine.
David West has no desire to take the pills that suppress his creative instincts. He's an artists and artists should be allowed to express themselves freely. In his heart, he wants to do right by his wife and his daughter, and he manages to in small spates. But it's inevitable that he'll stop taking the meds and find himself right back in a manic episode, leaving his wife and daughter to deal with the fallout.
As an adult, Eden's "daddy problems" have kept her from participating in fully functioning adult relationships. On a mission to find the father she hasn't seen in over 20 years, she begins to volunteer at a homeless shelter, where she gains a greater understanding of the homeless and mentally ill.
I was a fan of Amy Hatvany's from the moment I read her previous book Best Kept Secret. Much like Jodi Picoult, Hatvany tackles difficult subjects. In Best Kept Secret, it was alcoholism. With Outside the Lines, it's mental illness. Regardless of the topic, she handles it skillfully. Much like Jodi Picoult, she tells the story from the points of view of several characters, creating a clear picture. Unlike Picoult, Hatvany does not bog the reader down with pages and pages of detailed facts that start to read more like a medical book than a work of fiction. Hatvany recognizes that her readers are smart enough to do in depth research if they so desire. And they are definitely smart enough to stick with Amy Hatvany.
Ever since she was a little girl, Eden West has kept a closely guarded secret. Her father's mental embarrassed her more times than she cared to remember. Causing scenes at school, in restaurants and with the neighbors, Eden knows he would do better if only he would take his medicine.
David West has no desire to take the pills that suppress his creative instincts. He's an artists and artists should be allowed to express themselves freely. In his heart, he wants to do right by his wife and his daughter, and he manages to in small spates. But it's inevitable that he'll stop taking the meds and find himself right back in a manic episode, leaving his wife and daughter to deal with the fallout.
As an adult, Eden's "daddy problems" have kept her from participating in fully functioning adult relationships. On a mission to find the father she hasn't seen in over 20 years, she begins to volunteer at a homeless shelter, where she gains a greater understanding of the homeless and mentally ill.
I was a fan of Amy Hatvany's from the moment I read her previous book Best Kept Secret. Much like Jodi Picoult, Hatvany tackles difficult subjects. In Best Kept Secret, it was alcoholism. With Outside the Lines, it's mental illness. Regardless of the topic, she handles it skillfully. Much like Jodi Picoult, she tells the story from the points of view of several characters, creating a clear picture. Unlike Picoult, Hatvany does not bog the reader down with pages and pages of detailed facts that start to read more like a medical book than a work of fiction. Hatvany recognizes that her readers are smart enough to do in depth research if they so desire. And they are definitely smart enough to stick with Amy Hatvany.
shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
"It’s incredibly hard to write about this book without giving too much away, so I’ll try my best! This is a tough and extremely emotional subject, and the author has written it beautifully. My heart broke for each and every one of the characters as their stories tragically unfolded.
Eden is a strong and courageous character who has been through so much in such a short amount of time. Her father attempted suicide, which led to her parent’s divorce and her father disappearing. Her mother is diagnosed with breast cancer. Feeling as though she must, Eden decides to track down her father, only to find out painful secrets that have been hidden from her for so many years. The pain and betrayal she feels throughout the book is agonizing, but the growth that she endures is awe-inspiring.
I walked away from this book feeling as though I found insight into my own life and the relationships that I hold dear, appreciating each and every one a little more than I did before. Inspiring and emotional, this book will touch you deeply. Just make sure you have some Kleenex close by.
"
Eden is a strong and courageous character who has been through so much in such a short amount of time. Her father attempted suicide, which led to her parent’s divorce and her father disappearing. Her mother is diagnosed with breast cancer. Feeling as though she must, Eden decides to track down her father, only to find out painful secrets that have been hidden from her for so many years. The pain and betrayal she feels throughout the book is agonizing, but the growth that she endures is awe-inspiring.
I walked away from this book feeling as though I found insight into my own life and the relationships that I hold dear, appreciating each and every one a little more than I did before. Inspiring and emotional, this book will touch you deeply. Just make sure you have some Kleenex close by.
"
upgirlcd's review against another edition
4.0
What a great topic to address in a novel. The author does a great job of drawing the reader in to the lives of someone who struggles with mental illness; and of those who love someone in the struggle. Profoundly sad at times, heartfelt and touching all the way through. I give 5 stars plus for the subject matter; 4 stars because the dialogue read as if it were forced or trite for me.
magiklee's review
5.0
Sometimes Love Means You Have to Let Them Go...
Eden West lived the life that most people never have to experience. She struggled with the love she felt for her father and the confusion of not being enough to be well for. She only wanted acceptance and the unconditional love that we all long for from our parents, that we all take for granted. And as a child it would have been devastating to feel that your father didn’t want you or love you, and then as an adult it is the one reason why relationships aren’t successful due to the fear of not being “enough” for the person to stick around.
This book covers all the emotional walls that society has defined for us – to have to be something “important” or “healthy” in order to be accepted as a human being. It touches on the thoughts of depressives and possibly schizophrenics and gives you a little bit of an insight into the everyday struggle that they go through just to get through the day.
It was a fabulous book because it didn’t hold back anything. It showed David in his “good” state of mind and the “worst” state of minds. When he could handle things well and when he felt himself becoming his darker self. And the more you read, the more you understand his plight. He wanted to be the best that could for his wife and his child. He remembered the type of person he had once been and longed to be that person for them again. He struggled so much and tried so hard that the longer he did it, the worse he got until finally one day he did something unthinkable – he frightened his only daughter and would forever be haunted by that memory. But with that event came about an understanding for him, a chance to be who he really was and feel happy with what he could be without having to answer to anyone, without having to feel “boxed” in or judged. And for David that was the perfect life. But society would deem it an unhealthy lifestyle, to which Eden also became a victim of despite all the times she worked at the “Hope House” shelter.
Eden was a likable character, a gentle (although lost) and lovable soul. She felt things deeply and made you feel them too. If you were never a single parent child, it helped you to understand the feelings of loss, confusion and regret of losing a parent. And for Eden it defined her adulthood because who could love a person who's own father couldn’t love enough to get well for? In one of the pages you read there’s a simple sentence that just hit me – “My father. The man I loved first and who first loved me.” It’s the perfect summation of all her life, for any daughter’s life. And if your own father couldn’t love you enough to be with you, then why would anyone else? I imagine that thought would run through any woman’s head at some point, but maybe not take over their lives as completely as Eden’s. But she was the type of person who just wanted to understand, needed to understand why she wasn’t enough. And by the end of the book, she does understand, with a little bit of help from that wonderful boyfriend of hers, who is undoubtedly a “knight in shining armour” and one who will forever be in my good books!!!
So if you’re looking for a book that’s a bit emotional, a bit romantic, a bit informative and just a wonderfully creative read that please read Amy Hatvany’s book “Outside the Lines” because you won’t regret it…nor will you want to put it down, which I never would have had I not had two young children to care for as well. It was a fantastic book and I will surely read it again!!!
Eden West lived the life that most people never have to experience. She struggled with the love she felt for her father and the confusion of not being enough to be well for. She only wanted acceptance and the unconditional love that we all long for from our parents, that we all take for granted. And as a child it would have been devastating to feel that your father didn’t want you or love you, and then as an adult it is the one reason why relationships aren’t successful due to the fear of not being “enough” for the person to stick around.
This book covers all the emotional walls that society has defined for us – to have to be something “important” or “healthy” in order to be accepted as a human being. It touches on the thoughts of depressives and possibly schizophrenics and gives you a little bit of an insight into the everyday struggle that they go through just to get through the day.
It was a fabulous book because it didn’t hold back anything. It showed David in his “good” state of mind and the “worst” state of minds. When he could handle things well and when he felt himself becoming his darker self. And the more you read, the more you understand his plight. He wanted to be the best that could for his wife and his child. He remembered the type of person he had once been and longed to be that person for them again. He struggled so much and tried so hard that the longer he did it, the worse he got until finally one day he did something unthinkable – he frightened his only daughter and would forever be haunted by that memory. But with that event came about an understanding for him, a chance to be who he really was and feel happy with what he could be without having to answer to anyone, without having to feel “boxed” in or judged. And for David that was the perfect life. But society would deem it an unhealthy lifestyle, to which Eden also became a victim of despite all the times she worked at the “Hope House” shelter.
Eden was a likable character, a gentle (although lost) and lovable soul. She felt things deeply and made you feel them too. If you were never a single parent child, it helped you to understand the feelings of loss, confusion and regret of losing a parent. And for Eden it defined her adulthood because who could love a person who's own father couldn’t love enough to get well for? In one of the pages you read there’s a simple sentence that just hit me – “My father. The man I loved first and who first loved me.” It’s the perfect summation of all her life, for any daughter’s life. And if your own father couldn’t love you enough to be with you, then why would anyone else? I imagine that thought would run through any woman’s head at some point, but maybe not take over their lives as completely as Eden’s. But she was the type of person who just wanted to understand, needed to understand why she wasn’t enough. And by the end of the book, she does understand, with a little bit of help from that wonderful boyfriend of hers, who is undoubtedly a “knight in shining armour” and one who will forever be in my good books!!!
So if you’re looking for a book that’s a bit emotional, a bit romantic, a bit informative and just a wonderfully creative read that please read Amy Hatvany’s book “Outside the Lines” because you won’t regret it…nor will you want to put it down, which I never would have had I not had two young children to care for as well. It was a fantastic book and I will surely read it again!!!
adelamercedes's review against another edition
4.0
I appreciated reading the book from both points of view; the daughter's and the Father's. The book gave a realistic view of dealing with a family member's mental illness. Easy to follow storyline. I rather enjoyed reading it.