Started off promising enough, but it lost me around page 125. I got upntob225 and just couldn't get myself to the finish line.

Michael was the most interesting character, the rest I found petty and boring. The writing itself is good, even though he gets flowery for what I think, is the sake of showing that he can write prose.

Not for me. ( )

Adam Haslett has written the tragic story of a family with two of its five members dealing with mental illness. It is written from the perspective of the five family members over several decades. In his signature style, Haslett has captured the emotions and personalities of all five, giving us insight into the struggles of the mentally ill and the lasting effect on the family members, both genetically and psychologically.

Many families have members who are mentally ill. They are all too familiar with heartbreak and frustration. Treatments vary, and sometimes are unsuccessful. Medications are mentioned in this book that may be effective, but the right combination is too often elusive. It is so very wrong that there has been a stigma attached to people suffering from mental illness. I believe that we are becoming more enlightened as a society in recognizing that these people and families deserve our compassion and respect for their struggles. ( )

First of all, I loved that it takes place in the greater Northampton area and mentions Smith. It was very exciting. Anyway, some pros and cons:

Cons: I thought it was well written and touching, but I didn't really connect with any of the characters until I was 70% through the book. There were so many characters introduced at the beginning that I had to focus on keeping track of who was who (I kept thinking Michael was the dad and then getting confused) so I couldn't really connect with them at first, making the eventual process of connecting a lot slower. I also thought that, as much as I appreciated how Michael's character was reflected in his writing, it got a little boring at parts. Like, there's only so much analysis of Donna Summers songs a girl can take. I kind of expected the ending from the very beginning but it was still emotive.

Pros: Northampton, obviously. The writing itself was exquisite. There were SO many beautiful lines, and the way Haslett captured each character's voice in their respective narratives was really astounding. It's also one of the most accurate and nuanced fictional depictions of mental illness I've read. I thought the plot was heartwrenching and the nature of the story being told retrospectively allowed for an emotional lead-up to the heartbreak the reader knew was coming. I'm seeing a lot of DNF reviews which I understand-- it's a slow start, but I highly encourage sticking with the novel. I think it's definitely worth it. ( )

This book is a well-written, traumatic story of a family dealing with mental health issues in two of five members. Each family member takes a turn at describing the family’s interactions, and particularly the impact of mental illness, over several decades. I thought the characters were well-drawn, realistic and each voice distinct. The narrative is interspersed with a bit of humor, which served as a sort of comic relief to the heaviness of the subject matter. It is filled with regret, guilt, sadness, and well-intentioned actions leading to turmoil. I will do further research to see if the author had the purposes in mind that I took away from the story. I concluded: 1) it is a fine balance to get the right mix of medications such that the person is not suffering from overmedication but still has adequate relief from the debilitating symptoms and 2) don’t try to assist a family member in withdrawing from medication without the help and advice of a competent medical professional. Recommended to those interested in the psychology of mental illness and related family dynamics (and do not mind a great deal of sadness / tragedy). Contains triggers for depression, anxiety, panic attacks and suicidal tendencies.

Quotes:
“His shadow seemed darker than no light at all, because when there was no light there was nothing to compare the darkness to.”

“Where the support group met that would help me get over going to this support group wasn’t clear.”

“Sound systems are what turn cars into escape vehicles, even if you’ve got nowhere to go.”
( )

An intense and powerful story of mental illness through two generations of a family. Haslett writes with such emotion and personal insight, as his own father died by suicide. I found the story very unsettling, how the father’s illness relentlessly reverberated through his family over the years. At times it’s painful to read of Michael’s decent into obsession and addiction. ( )