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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I will preface all of this, with an admittance that I didn't finish the book. I stopped at chapter 27.
First, let me start off by saying that I kind of knew I was going to hate this book when I started it. I HATE this whole idea of portraying mental illness in a romantic lead and have it be something that the other romantic lead fixes in some way, shape, or form. I HATE that mental illness has needed to be used as a character flaw to make it's way into modern day literature. I cannot stand the idea of romanticizing mental illness.
With that being said, let me point out 2 things I liked about this. First, her portrayal of Adam is not insulting, nor is it narrow minded. She doesn't pigeon-hole those struggling with schizophrenia. Throughout the book, she handles it delicately and without modern biases. Second, she even includes in her author's note that schizophrenia manifests in multiple ways and (here's the golden bit that redeems her) they are not all violent.
It is for these facts alone that I will be believe that Julia Walton didn't have terrible intentions in writing this novel.
Now, here's where my problems lie.
First, the author has created this miracle drug that takes his symptoms away (for the most part). I understand that this drug would be a blessing and that she probably only hoped for it, I feel as though it minimizes. It serves as a cop out way for her to avoid portraying schizophrenia in the hardest, darkest form.
Second, Maya and Adam. I just.... had a problem with this relationship. At some point, Adam started to like Maya, though I'm unsure as to why (admittedly, I didn't find Maya to be a likeable character). Then, their relationship seems pretty fast-paced and under developed; which I'll give grace for because I think his schizophrenia and the struggle with letting her find out was the main point of the book. My main problem with the relationship is that I feel like the author was trying to make it sound like Maya was making him better. And as stated previously, I HATE this.
I will admit, that my problem may lie with books that touch on this in general. I think, as a society, we have fallen in love with the idea of broken people falling love. Which is great. The problem starts when we start portraying brokenness as something that can be fixed by love.
Love does not heal you. Love, supports you as you heal.
First, let me start off by saying that I kind of knew I was going to hate this book when I started it. I HATE this whole idea of portraying mental illness in a romantic lead and have it be something that the other romantic lead fixes in some way, shape, or form. I HATE that mental illness has needed to be used as a character flaw to make it's way into modern day literature. I cannot stand the idea of romanticizing mental illness.
With that being said, let me point out 2 things I liked about this. First, her portrayal of Adam is not insulting, nor is it narrow minded. She doesn't pigeon-hole those struggling with schizophrenia. Throughout the book, she handles it delicately and without modern biases. Second, she even includes in her author's note that schizophrenia manifests in multiple ways and (here's the golden bit that redeems her) they are not all violent.
It is for these facts alone that I will be believe that Julia Walton didn't have terrible intentions in writing this novel.
Now, here's where my problems lie.
First, the author has created this miracle drug that takes his symptoms away (for the most part). I understand that this drug would be a blessing and that she probably only hoped for it, I feel as though it minimizes. It serves as a cop out way for her to avoid portraying schizophrenia in the hardest, darkest form.
Second, Maya and Adam. I just.... had a problem with this relationship. At some point, Adam started to like Maya, though I'm unsure as to why (admittedly, I didn't find Maya to be a likeable character). Then, their relationship seems pretty fast-paced and under developed; which I'll give grace for because I think his schizophrenia and the struggle with letting her find out was the main point of the book. My main problem with the relationship is that I feel like the author was trying to make it sound like Maya was making him better. And as stated previously, I HATE this.
I will admit, that my problem may lie with books that touch on this in general. I think, as a society, we have fallen in love with the idea of broken people falling love. Which is great. The problem starts when we start portraying brokenness as something that can be fixed by love.
Love does not heal you. Love, supports you as you heal.
I could have finished this probably 2 days sooner if it wasn’t for finals week. It’s not a long book and while there are some heavy parts or moments that make you stop and think, it was overall a smooth read.
I know that people doc this book for predicability or cliches. It’s true, there are chapters where you could probably guess the next line or scene. But I think the cheesiness cuts through the seriousness quite nicely. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As a psych major especially, I know it can be controversial to write about mental illness if you yourself don’t have it or aren’t closely affected by it. But you can tell Walton has done enough research to depict this quite accurately. I knew from the start in the moment Adam explains the difference between “positive” and “negative” symptoms that I should expect the rest of the book to follow what’s true about schizophrenia and not just stereotypical.
I think there’s something to like about almost every character, except Ian because he sucks and Paul’s mom who also sucks. Adam’s mom and Paul are two madly (and “disgustingly”) in love adults who are adamant about what’s best for Adam and will protect him above all else (yes I wanted to cry when Paul called Adam his son). Maya is out here representing us short, angry, logically based eldest Filipino daughters. Dwight is an all around good friend who was there when it mattered most. These people stick around even when Adam thinks he has hurt them beyond repair and even though he thinks he is undeserving or a burden. But as Maya and even her mom said, it’s their choice to make.
Mental illness is a serious topic and I know it may be frowned upon to turn it into a high school love story. But that turns it into “well this is unrealistic”. What’s unrealistic? The symptoms described were accurate, Adam being a teenage boy also had accurate thoughts and emotions. It may be uncommon for schizophrenia to onset so early but this still happens. I think a win is a win. This sheds light into schizophrenia for people who weren’t entirely aware of what it was but does so in an easy way. All around, it is a book I’d recommend.
I know that people doc this book for predicability or cliches. It’s true, there are chapters where you could probably guess the next line or scene. But I think the cheesiness cuts through the seriousness quite nicely. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. As a psych major especially, I know it can be controversial to write about mental illness if you yourself don’t have it or aren’t closely affected by it. But you can tell Walton has done enough research to depict this quite accurately. I knew from the start in the moment Adam explains the difference between “positive” and “negative” symptoms that I should expect the rest of the book to follow what’s true about schizophrenia and not just stereotypical.
I think there’s something to like about almost every character, except Ian because he sucks and Paul’s mom who also sucks. Adam’s mom and Paul are two madly (and “disgustingly”) in love adults who are adamant about what’s best for Adam and will protect him above all else (yes I wanted to cry when Paul called Adam his son). Maya is out here representing us short, angry, logically based eldest Filipino daughters. Dwight is an all around good friend who was there when it mattered most. These people stick around even when Adam thinks he has hurt them beyond repair and even though he thinks he is undeserving or a burden. But as Maya and even her mom said, it’s their choice to make.
Mental illness is a serious topic and I know it may be frowned upon to turn it into a high school love story. But that turns it into “well this is unrealistic”. What’s unrealistic? The symptoms described were accurate, Adam being a teenage boy also had accurate thoughts and emotions. It may be uncommon for schizophrenia to onset so early but this still happens. I think a win is a win. This sheds light into schizophrenia for people who weren’t entirely aware of what it was but does so in an easy way. All around, it is a book I’d recommend.
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-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
3.5, nothing too special about this book. I enjoyed the story over all. I didn’t feel very connected to the characters and didn’t like that it was a diary style narration. But over all it’s a cute and quick YA read!
There was a lot to love about this book (Adam's often hilarious journal-style narration, romance that is in no way is redemptive or "saves" the main character), but Adam's schizophrenia is handled so lightly that it didn't feel like a genuine representation of the disorder. The author admits in the notes that she took some creative liberties, and to me this showed. It was refreshing to read a hopeful, funny book about a teen with a mental disorder - I just wish it felt more realistic.
This book definitely reminds me of perks of being a wallflower. I feel like Adam and Charlie could be brothers. It is written as a journal to his doctor that is treating him with an experimental drug for schizophrenia. Adams outlook on his life seems very real and raw and I love it. This book was written beautifully. I really enjoyed this book. I will definitely recommend it to others. I feel like this is something needed in classroom libraries. Empathy is needed when it comes to mental disorders and I think this book will definitely open the eyes of many!
It wasn’t bad schizophrenia representation from what I understand about the illness and I also really liked the romance
But in the book Adam used “crazy” to describe his condition, now this is something really harmful, I’d understand if that’s the way he felt at the beginning but the author should’ve someone a message toward the end that having a mental illness/disorder doesn’t make someone “crazy” but the author kept having this term throughout the book right till the end
But in the book Adam used “crazy” to describe his condition, now this is something really harmful, I’d understand if that’s the way he felt at the beginning but the author should’ve someone a message toward the end that having a mental illness/disorder doesn’t make someone “crazy” but the author kept having this term throughout the book right till the end