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peaknit's review against another edition
4.0
Devastating story about a family with 12 kids, more than half with significant schizophrenia. I was not that interested in the science-y language, though I’m not sure how could I have expected a book of this topic to not have science, so I read it all. Makes me feel lucky, despite any complaints I have about my family, it was nothing like this. This is heartbreaking.
honnari_hannya's review against another edition
3.0
The biography of a family suffering from schizophrenia—both those individuals who have the disease, as well as the members whose lives are forever altered because of the messy family relationships at the heart of this story. The case study for how schizophrenia presented in the Galvin family is fascinating in and of itself. Amongst the 12 children, half were diagnosed with the disease, all of them boys, at various levels of severity.
Kolker traced the history of treatment (and sometimes the lack thereof) within the Galvin family very admirably. I appreciate that Kolker also provided a fairly wide scope of the Galvins' interactions with the medical institution, as patients and as subjects, giving readers a good understanding of the complexity of this disease and the barriers which prevent people not only from seeking treatment but also scientists and doctors from trying to find it.
I will say that I'm not sure how effective this book was, written as a biography. Kolker clearly spent a lot of time with the family, and I have to wonder why this wasn't approached as some sort of memoir, with Kolker acting as a ghostwriter—perhaps from one or both of the sisters, who lived through incredibly traumatic experiences in their household. This is a story that would have been incredibly powerful written by one of the members. As it is, I felt like there was a lot of distance between me as a reader and the experiences of the family. Alternatively, it could have skewed more towards the science of the disease and firmly established itself as a scientific history of the disease. I don't think it found its footing in any particular genre, and suffered for that.
Kolker traced the history of treatment (and sometimes the lack thereof) within the Galvin family very admirably. I appreciate that Kolker also provided a fairly wide scope of the Galvins' interactions with the medical institution, as patients and as subjects, giving readers a good understanding of the complexity of this disease and the barriers which prevent people not only from seeking treatment but also scientists and doctors from trying to find it.
I will say that I'm not sure how effective this book was, written as a biography. Kolker clearly spent a lot of time with the family, and I have to wonder why this wasn't approached as some sort of memoir, with Kolker acting as a ghostwriter—perhaps from one or both of the sisters, who lived through incredibly traumatic experiences in their household. This is a story that would have been incredibly powerful written by one of the members. As it is, I felt like there was a lot of distance between me as a reader and the experiences of the family. Alternatively, it could have skewed more towards the science of the disease and firmly established itself as a scientific history of the disease. I don't think it found its footing in any particular genre, and suffered for that.
jannythelibrarian's review against another edition
3.5
listened to the audiobook 13hr. author goes deep into family's history, detailing each member's life. interesting and sad
mele92's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Drug abuse, Murder, Mental illness, and Sexual assault
lportx's review against another edition
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
4.25
Really great, told everybody about it. However the last five chapters were a snore. Aside from that, recommend.
au_conn1's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis and Mental illness
Moderate: Rape, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Domestic abuse
stuckinafictionaluniverse's review against another edition
4.0
The best psychology book I have ever read, and it sadly shows we have a long way to go in our approach to schizophrenia. Review to come.
ktmp2112's review against another edition
5.0
While this book is absolutely heartbreaking, the stories of resilience and unconditional love are applicable to everyone in any situation.
I think what I took away most from this book is that everyone is just doing their best with what they know, and kindness and empathy go a LONG way.
I think what I took away most from this book is that everyone is just doing their best with what they know, and kindness and empathy go a LONG way.