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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
Beautiful story about the struggles of living with a mental illness. And sure, maybe it had more of a happy ending and more positivity than most who struggle with schizophrenia, but I think it’s important for those who do struggle to know a happy ending could be possible for them. This book gives people hope. Adam is witty, charismatic, talented. He was a multi-dimensional, interesting character that so many stories lack. Maya, unique in her own way, never puts up with BS, she’s exactly what Adam needed. I’ve never read a story where I was so intrigued by the cast and their little quirks. The story is written in a journal entry way from Adam’s point of view which usually I wouldn’t enjoy but it’s written in such a charming, detailed way that it’s not annoying. I’m so excited to watch the movie now and hope it is just as good as the book.
Where do I even start with this book? I finished it last night after an emotional roller coaster that left me exhausted. I'd casually read the first 80% of the book over the previous nights. It was intriguing and obviously captivating since I read it each night. However, the last 20% is where the payoff is. It's where I was sniffling and silent tears streamed down my cheeks while my husband snored away on the pillow next to mine. It's not traditionally sad so to speak. No character deaths occur. After spending so much time inside of a character's head, you cannot help but be invested in Adam's recovery.
To avoid any spoilers, I'm not going to comment further on the plot with the exception of saying this felt like a very realistic portrayal of schizophrenia. Every case is different, of course. The author includes a special note about mental illness and seeking help with resources at the end of the narrative.
To round up a few stray thoughts:
This book would translate very well to the screen. (Hey, Netflix, wanna get on this one?)
The inevitable comparisons to Challenger Deep will come along. Don't bother. Every instance of mental illness is different. BOTH of these books are valid and worthy representations on their own merit.
I didn't care for Maya until the very end of the book. She was hard for me to connect to, but perhaps that is because she was hard for Adam to connect with on a real level?
The writing was very accessible. It's my first Julia Walton book, but it won't be my last. She's got something to say with her work.
To avoid any spoilers, I'm not going to comment further on the plot with the exception of saying this felt like a very realistic portrayal of schizophrenia. Every case is different, of course. The author includes a special note about mental illness and seeking help with resources at the end of the narrative.
To round up a few stray thoughts:
This book would translate very well to the screen. (Hey, Netflix, wanna get on this one?)
The inevitable comparisons to Challenger Deep will come along. Don't bother. Every instance of mental illness is different. BOTH of these books are valid and worthy representations on their own merit.
I didn't care for Maya until the very end of the book. She was hard for me to connect to, but perhaps that is because she was hard for Adam to connect with on a real level?
The writing was very accessible. It's my first Julia Walton book, but it won't be my last. She's got something to say with her work.
Fast moving loved how it was written. I never felt bored. It is one of those books that you can fly through with out trying
This was my first book from my Uppercase subscription and it did not disappoint. I enjoyed the format where the narrator is writing down his therapy sessions. I have a cousin who has schizophrenia and I found Adam's experiences enlightening and made me understand my cousin and his situation a little more. What I loved about the book is that it read as very authentic. If you take away the schizophrenia aspect, Adam could be any teenage boy, and many of the challenges he faced were typical teenage challenges. In that way, you see that people with mental illnesses are really people just like anyone else, but with a few added challenges. This was an emotional and thought-provoking read--if you don't feel something at the end of this book, you might be a robot.
I really enjoyed this one! Reading about schizophrenia through Adam's perspective was both enlightening and humorous. I don't usually prefer stories told through journal entries/phone texts but the way the author approached itZ—as letter to Adam's psychiatrist was pleasantly interesting. The way in which mental health was tackled throughout the story was genuine, and at no point felt trivialized or dramatized for the sake of the story.
Overall, a good read. 4.2/5
Overall, a good read. 4.2/5
Words on Bathroom Walls deals with schizophrenia in an insightful way that is compassionate toward those who have the condition while demonstrating how difficult it is to live with. Going into it, I was concerned it would romanticize the illness because that seems to be a trend in YA these days (the whole “sick lit” genre), but I quickly realized that Walton wrote this book intending to educate the reader about schizophrenia using a witty, intelligent, and likable character. I think through this book, she demonstrates how complex the disease is and how it affects every person differently. She also shows that there are some treatments that are more successful than others.
And she shows that people with schizophrenia are often more a danger to themselves than to other people, which is so important to understand. A lot of mental illness are this way, yet a few outliers and plenty of urban legends cause us to have a cultural view of mental illness that is wildly, dangerously skewed from reality (part of why I stay away from movies that flagrantly misrepresent mental illnesses in order to add suspense or something).
While this was specifically Adam’s story—which I enjoyed and learned a lot from—I wish there was more about Maya and Dwight. Maya especially seems like she has something else going on in her life, and Adam almost alludes to it at times without discussing it in full. Maybe, due to the nature of the narrative being journal entries written to his therapist, this was information the Adam decided the therapist didn’t need to know. And yet, there were certainly some details that didn’t need to be included in the journal entries, so I find it odd that Maya’s situation wasn’t better elaborated on. Same with Dwight, to a lesser degree. I like my side characters to be fleshed-out, and I felt like Walton got so close to that point, but ultimately shied away from it. That’s the main reason I docked it a star, honestly.
I do want to give the reader warning that this book takes place over the 2012-2013 academic year, which was when the Sandy Hook shooting happened. There's only a brief mention of it in one journal entry (which was surprising that a YA novel actually acknowledged current events, for once, but in light of the story's theme, it makes total sense), but I still felt sucker-punched at that mention and was immediately reminded of a nightmare I had after Parkland. (Can I just say I'm really glad my little brother is out of high school?)
Words on Bathroom Walls seems like one of those important books that people should read to get a glimpse of a life not their own. Obviously Adam’s experience is fictionalized and is the experience of one person with schizophrenia, but this book still teaches the reader empathy for people with the “less-glamorous” mental illnesses.
And she shows that people with schizophrenia are often more a danger to themselves than to other people, which is so important to understand. A lot of mental illness are this way, yet a few outliers and plenty of urban legends cause us to have a cultural view of mental illness that is wildly, dangerously skewed from reality (part of why I stay away from movies that flagrantly misrepresent mental illnesses in order to add suspense or something).
While this was specifically Adam’s story—which I enjoyed and learned a lot from—I wish there was more about Maya and Dwight. Maya especially seems like she has something else going on in her life, and Adam almost alludes to it at times without discussing it in full. Maybe, due to the nature of the narrative being journal entries written to his therapist, this was information the Adam decided the therapist didn’t need to know. And yet, there were certainly some details that didn’t need to be included in the journal entries, so I find it odd that Maya’s situation wasn’t better elaborated on. Same with Dwight, to a lesser degree. I like my side characters to be fleshed-out, and I felt like Walton got so close to that point, but ultimately shied away from it. That’s the main reason I docked it a star, honestly.
I do want to give the reader warning that this book takes place over the 2012-2013 academic year, which was when the Sandy Hook shooting happened. There's only a brief mention of it in one journal entry (which was surprising that a YA novel actually acknowledged current events, for once, but in light of the story's theme, it makes total sense), but I still felt sucker-punched at that mention and was immediately reminded of a nightmare I had after Parkland. (Can I just say I'm really glad my little brother is out of high school?)
Words on Bathroom Walls seems like one of those important books that people should read to get a glimpse of a life not their own. Obviously Adam’s experience is fictionalized and is the experience of one person with schizophrenia, but this book still teaches the reader empathy for people with the “less-glamorous” mental illnesses.
This would have been 5 stars if not for the line “JK Rowling is a fucking genius”. Personally, I’d have edited that out and rereleased it given that all the transphobia happened publicly just a few months after the publication date
Great YA read. I think this is more in the High School YA genre as there were some mature scenes and language. My middle schooler was intrigued by this one, but I think it's a bit mature for that age group. Great read and I look forward to watching the movie adaptation.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes