Hey guys! I recently bought this book and I just finished it last night!
It follows the life of Susanna Kaysen and her journey with mental health in the 1960s. She struggles in her early adult years, showing signs of BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) and she voluntarily admits herself to the psychiatric hospital.
I found this book to be piercing and written really accessibly but also honestly. It is short but Susanna filled it with her thoughts on the unconventional way her life went. I loved the glimpse into life at a psych ward and how mental health was talked about in the 1960s. I also really enjoyed all the characters like Lisa, Valerie, and Alice.
I wanted to note that it did have a more detached tone. More facts less emotion. Perhaps that came from the BDP tendencies or maybe that’s just her writing style. I think it did suit the book overall but I do prefer a more emotional, pathos heavy writing style.
I especially loved the chapters titled “Mind vs. Brain” and “My Diagnosis” because of their thought provoking nature. Susanna asked some really interesting questions and I admired the personal exploration. She truly was finding who she was in a sea of doctors, drugs, and diagnoses.
I do recommend this books. Its a super short read, only 168 pages, and it holds some really interesting perspective! 7/10
Happy Reading!!!