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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
I'm all about books that discuss mental illnesses. It's such an important topic!
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
informative
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I just finished this book. It was a really enjoyable read, even if there are a few things that struck me oddly.
I really liked the main character, even though I felt his writing required a suspension of disbelief. I can't see any kid - even a teen who had some social quirks like him, even a teen trying to prove he's 'normal' - being as detailed and open about his romantic and sexual relationship when talking to his therapist or any adult.
As a whole, it was a fun read. I felt quite motivated to keep reading and I enjoyed the way the plot involved things that seemed unrelated to his schizophrenia yet affected by it all the same (like the baby and all the plot surrounding that part of his life). I also appreciated that the high school stuff avoided devolving into a bunch of stereotypes.
I wasn't sure how I felt about the ending though. On the one hand, the book explored having schizophrenia in a medicated and unmedicated state, discussed some of the difficulties and dangers about medication as well as the need for it, and clearly stated that there is no cure and long-term solutions can be difficult because the body (and it’s reactions to medications) changes. I also appreciated the diversity of characters’ responses to learning he has schizophrenia. And, while YA endings sometimes drive me up the wall, I appreciated the attempt Walton made at acknowledging reality: Maya refused to leave him, but the reader knows that just might not work; his meds are complicated and imperfect, but necessary.
I suppose my concerns are about the accuracy of this book. The last note by the author announced that the book was 'loosely based' on research and 'every one experiences schizophrenia differently’. That disappointed me, even though I had already been interested in finding reviews by people with intimate experiences with schizophrenia. Because, on the one hand it might be legal protection or self-protection from reviewers to put that disclaimer and maybe she did try hard to be accurate. But then again, it also sounds like she just liked the idea of a schizophrenic character and allowed herself to write schizophrenia however she wanted. And that just... doesn't seem right. Especially after her own character talked about how sad it was to see art by a schizophrenic artist being explained by someone else. "I don't want someone else who has no idea what their work means to speak for him. He probably spent the rest of his pathetic life trying to get people to listen to him. But they wouldn't because he was crazy. So he painted instead. And rather than let him tell someone exactly what his work meant, they send some lady with a BA in art history and a green blazer to do it." (215-216) Maybe that's what bothered me at the end. They way the Author's Note felt like it suddenly revealed her as the lady in the green blazer.
I really liked the main character, even though I felt his writing required a suspension of disbelief. I can't see any kid - even a teen who had some social quirks like him, even a teen trying to prove he's 'normal' - being as detailed and open about his romantic and sexual relationship when talking to his therapist or any adult.
As a whole, it was a fun read. I felt quite motivated to keep reading and I enjoyed the way the plot involved things that seemed unrelated to his schizophrenia yet affected by it all the same (like the baby and all the plot surrounding that part of his life). I also appreciated that the high school stuff avoided devolving into a bunch of stereotypes.
I wasn't sure how I felt about the ending though. On the one hand, the book explored having schizophrenia in a medicated and unmedicated state, discussed some of the difficulties and dangers about medication as well as the need for it, and clearly stated that there is no cure and long-term solutions can be difficult because the body (and it’s reactions to medications) changes. I also appreciated the diversity of characters’ responses to learning he has schizophrenia. And, while YA endings sometimes drive me up the wall, I appreciated the attempt Walton made at acknowledging reality: Maya refused to leave him, but the reader knows that just might not work; his meds are complicated and imperfect, but necessary.
I suppose my concerns are about the accuracy of this book. The last note by the author announced that the book was 'loosely based' on research and 'every one experiences schizophrenia differently’. That disappointed me, even though I had already been interested in finding reviews by people with intimate experiences with schizophrenia. Because, on the one hand it might be legal protection or self-protection from reviewers to put that disclaimer and maybe she did try hard to be accurate. But then again, it also sounds like she just liked the idea of a schizophrenic character and allowed herself to write schizophrenia however she wanted. And that just... doesn't seem right. Especially after her own character talked about how sad it was to see art by a schizophrenic artist being explained by someone else. "I don't want someone else who has no idea what their work means to speak for him. He probably spent the rest of his pathetic life trying to get people to listen to him. But they wouldn't because he was crazy. So he painted instead. And rather than let him tell someone exactly what his work meant, they send some lady with a BA in art history and a green blazer to do it." (215-216) Maybe that's what bothered me at the end. They way the Author's Note felt like it suddenly revealed her as the lady in the green blazer.
This was a great coming-of-age story that deals with the topic of a debilitating mental illness in a positive way. Adam is a character that we can all relate too even if we aren't struggling with schizophrenia. I love how the book shows the reality of how hard it is to deal with a mental illness, while also showing that there is hope for everyone to enjoy the wonderful things in life such as falling in love with someone who supports you and loves you as you are.
I had to put this book down around chapter 9 or so and then come back to it to finish it. I think in some ways this book was hard for me to read because of the subject matter. Adam's struggles hurt my mom heart so bad. It's not a light fluffy read but then again it's not really meant to be. I enjoyed every one of the characters and how the story played out in the end so I'm glad I read it.
Adam is diagnosed with schizophrenia, and as most people diagnosed with this mental illness he kept it a secret from everyone apart from his family in fear of their reaction after knowing, as most people do fear what they don't understand and avoid people diagnosed with this illness because they regard them as "dangerous" while in fact the vast majority of people battling this mental illness are not violent and do not pose a danger to others.
Adam's character is lovable and doesn't come along as dangerous, in fact the only harm he can do is just upon himself..
I loved this book and found it filled with information about schizophrenia, an illness which fascinates me..
I now can get a hint of what it's like to live with it ..
" It’s a very strange reality when you can’t trust yourself. There’s no foundation for anything. The faith I might have had in normal things like gravity or logic or love is gone because my mind might not be reading them correctly. You can’t possibly know what it means to doubt everything. To walk into a room full of people and pretend that it’s empty because you’re not actually sure if it is or not.
To never feel completely alone even when you are."
Adam's character is lovable and doesn't come along as dangerous, in fact the only harm he can do is just upon himself..
I loved this book and found it filled with information about schizophrenia, an illness which fascinates me..
I now can get a hint of what it's like to live with it ..
" It’s a very strange reality when you can’t trust yourself. There’s no foundation for anything. The faith I might have had in normal things like gravity or logic or love is gone because my mind might not be reading them correctly. You can’t possibly know what it means to doubt everything. To walk into a room full of people and pretend that it’s empty because you’re not actually sure if it is or not.
To never feel completely alone even when you are."