Fiction Book Club But Inside I'm Screaming by Elizabeth Flock Buy book: $9.85
This absorbing novel tells the intense story of one woman's account of what it is to lose control as the world watches, to figure out what went wrong, and to accept an imperfect life in a world that demands perfection.
I know what's coming for Isabel and it's making me nervous, but have to find out what happens to her.
Lisa, go to Amazon.com and type 'schizophrenia biography' in the search box. Several titles will come up. If you don't want to buy the one that sounds interesting, you can probably get it at your library. Hope this helps.
The Outsider (NonFiction)
June 29 2003 at 8:17 PM Nathaniel Lachenmeyer
Forum Owner
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NonFiction Book Club
The Outsider
by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer
The above is a book we had on the book club back in June 03 as you can see. I myself thoroughly enjoyed this first hand book written by the son about his father and I learned a lot about the illness. I would recommend you look for it at your local library. - Doris -
I'll stay for the week on this one, it's a quick read and I'm finding the protagonist's breakdown interesting enough. Interesting but sort of thinly written: I feel like I'm reading only 10% of what's going on in her mind and body. And it feels like fiction -- I feel an almost comedy edge to it that I can't put my finger on -- and that doesn't ring real for me. It's also hard to discern which are the protagonist's thoughts and which are the psychotic voices -- and are the voices really psychotic? -- weren't they introduced on Monday as the husband/boyfriend's words?
I just don't feel I can "trust" this story of mental breakdown yet. I would be more likely to seek a nonfiction account.
I find this novel to be less about a psychosis and more about all the inside tapes that run in our heads on a daily basis. All of these voices she hears are people in her life who yell at her and call her unworthy, I think this is more about psychological abuse than it is about mental instability. The catalyst for her breakdown is the fact that she hasn't ever done live news feeds before hence her nerves. I find this book really interesting and look forward to reading more.
I'm with you , MJ. So far I'm not even remotely involved. Thin is right. Also, the dialog is clishe driven, and the other characters do not come across as fleshed-out people. And, wouldn't the producer cut the program immediately? It seemed his talking to her was all on the air...
I agree with some of the other readers. This writing does not seem well suited to the topic. It seems so superficial. There is no depth to the characters, and so far I don't know why I should care if this woman loses it, or not. Who is she? I'm not the type to enjoy slowing down to watch an accident, so unless I get a sense of who Isabel is, I'd rather not invest my sympathy. I'll see how it develops, but so far this one is a dud.
I guess I may be the minority this week, but I am enjoying the book. Looking forward to the last two days and will probably try to get from the library.
You're not the minority. I am enjoying it also. I'm glad it's not so deep that it puts me into a depressing funk. Also, I enjoy the little bit of humor one can detect in it. I can't wait for Friday's read and I'll get this one from the library.
As for this one: No, I don't think the voices are psychotic at all. And yes, it may be that they represent psychological abuse and not solely Isabel's internal depression. It would have been nice to see more of an evolution. It seems like we got:
1)Her husband says she worthless.
2)She fails at first attempt on air. and therefore
3)She decides to kill herself. Again.
I'm not buying it. Plus the scene in the bathroom seems a little cliche and there is no feeling that this woman is even in pain. There's nothing wrong with making comedy out of a difficult life situation but this isn't quite that either, despite the weak attempts at humor.
Although I agree that the writing is thin, I found today's scene quite gripping. I truly felt sorry for her. She's faced with such humiliation and fear...and now must confront all her inner demons head on, something she's obviously tried to avoid by attempting suicide. And is it just me or is mom a nag and not helping the situation??
I haven't read much fiction lately... I have been taking advantage of the delete key :) But this caught me... read 4 installments today and I think I may have to check this out of the library :) Looks like a good book :)
~Heather
