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Fort Unicorn and the Duchess of Knothing
COLOR PHOTOS INCLUDED! A retired boxer sets out in search of her daughter, Shyloh, an addict living with mental illness on the streets of San Diego. In Fort Unicorn and the Duchess of Knothing , Nelson tries desperately to find—and save—her first-born, delving into the roots of mental illness, addiction, and the meaning of unconditional love. This memoir is an unflinching witness of what it means to be homeless, mentally ill, and addicted in America—and to love someone who is all of those things. Fort Unicorn is, more than anything else, a vivid and tender portrait of people who are too often invisible to society.
246 pages, Paperback
Published November 15, 2022
4 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 9, 2023
A heart breaking story of mental illness, addiction and homelessness. One leading to another. The author is local, I look forward to hearing her speak, I’d love to know more about area resources, and ideas she has to lift up the homeless community. I feel like a witness in corrections, seeing how complicated and cyclical it is to help people, see success and then lose them again.
November 27, 2022
Andrea Nelson has written a poignant a loving memoir, about freedom, loss, courage, and unconditional love. In Fort Unicorn and the Duchess of Knothing, Andrea takes us on a journey onto the streets of San Diego, where her daughter, Shyloh, descends deeper into mental illness and addiction, a world void of societal rules and limits. The author shares her own feelings of madness, anger, confusion, and pain, driven by love to find her daughter and bring her home. She walks us through the fragile veil between stability and illness and shows us these two worlds are not as different as they may appear. This story reminds us that we are not alone, that love comes in all forms, and there is not one 'right' way to show up for one another and ourselves. We are honored and humbled to write a review for this beautiful and important memoir.
Troy Gosz, Co-Founder of FLYY (Forward Learning Youth and Young Adults), and
Jessie Kushner, Co-Founder of FLYY (Forward Learning Youth and Young Adults); Founder of Collective Voices.
Troy Gosz, Co-Founder of FLYY (Forward Learning Youth and Young Adults), and
Jessie Kushner, Co-Founder of FLYY (Forward Learning Youth and Young Adults); Founder of Collective Voices.
July 28, 2023
I don't even know where to begin with this book. A mother's memoir about her unconditional love for her daughter who struggles with her mental health along with drug and alcohol issues. This book shows the obstacles that are constantly in the way of getting help. Highly recommend.
November 19, 2022
This book is such a beautiful, brutal story of unconditional love. Its honest, makes one dealing with losing a loved one to addiction feel not alone, puts words to feelings of losing a loved one, and is compassionate. It is a hard read, but a must read as well. I highly recommend reading it!
November 28, 2022
I am a retired Substance Abuse Counselor, Case Manager for Homeless Veterans, Detox Assessor, and in recovery myself. I know Andrea & Shyloh personally.
I can't recommend this book enough. The brutal honesty of MH, Addiction & Homelessness that Shyloh and Andrea fought & loved each other through. Having to watch as Systemic failure, Addiction and Mental Health Disorder slowly stole the person Shyloh was. This book tells the truth about what so many people struggle with daily. The poignant look at what it's like trying to save your child, maintain your own sanity, tread the deep waters of respect, honor and love. All while the love of your life slips further from your grasp.
A tragic & honest view into the souls of 2 beautiful and amazing women.
We miss you Shy.
I can't recommend this book enough. The brutal honesty of MH, Addiction & Homelessness that Shyloh and Andrea fought & loved each other through. Having to watch as Systemic failure, Addiction and Mental Health Disorder slowly stole the person Shyloh was. This book tells the truth about what so many people struggle with daily. The poignant look at what it's like trying to save your child, maintain your own sanity, tread the deep waters of respect, honor and love. All while the love of your life slips further from your grasp.
A tragic & honest view into the souls of 2 beautiful and amazing women.
We miss you Shy.
January 26, 2024
I remember Shyloh in my german class and sometimes walking through the halls of high school. It's amazing how much we don't know about the people we grow up with it. Andrea was brave to relive this story and share such vulnerable and raw memories. I feel that this book should be read by students so they can learn from Shyloh's story whether it's curiosity of drugs or the struggle of mental health. My heart is a little heavy tonight.
February 5, 2023
Finished the book in 1 day - so compelling, heartbreaking but also a testament to unconditional love. Please read and bear witness to the closeted epidemic of addiction, mental health and being unhoused. Then pass the book along to reach more people.
March 10, 2023
The author painted a vivid picture of what it is like to love a family member with mental health struggles and addiction without losing sight of what a truly beautiful human being her daughter was.
The story takes you on a journey from rural Wisconsin to the homeless encampments in San Diego. You find yourself cheering for each of her daughter's victories and just desperately rooting for her happy ending. Just when you think all is hopeless, you get a breath of fresh air through whimsical poems, blog postings and letters. It's hard to not care about Shyloh.
A lot of well intentioned parents who write books on this subject matter tend to be rather hard on their children. Some may view some of the author's actions as enabling but I think she does a beautiful job navigating and explaining her difficult choices. As a parent myself, I could only hope to navigate as kindly as she did. She showed unconditional love can be possible even when society may deem your child as undeserving. She shows that you can accept your children as they are even when they lead lives so different than your own. You I bought the hard copy as well as the audio version of this book because the author is the narrator and it added another level of realness to the sensitive subject matter.
There are so many tough subjects touched on in this book including homelessness, societal struggles, the desire to be free of expectations of others. Shyloh's reality and world was different than most but her experience was no less valid and meaningful. Her story just goes to show how individuals with struggles can still touch the lives of so many people, myself included.
The story takes you on a journey from rural Wisconsin to the homeless encampments in San Diego. You find yourself cheering for each of her daughter's victories and just desperately rooting for her happy ending. Just when you think all is hopeless, you get a breath of fresh air through whimsical poems, blog postings and letters. It's hard to not care about Shyloh.
A lot of well intentioned parents who write books on this subject matter tend to be rather hard on their children. Some may view some of the author's actions as enabling but I think she does a beautiful job navigating and explaining her difficult choices. As a parent myself, I could only hope to navigate as kindly as she did. She showed unconditional love can be possible even when society may deem your child as undeserving. She shows that you can accept your children as they are even when they lead lives so different than your own. You I bought the hard copy as well as the audio version of this book because the author is the narrator and it added another level of realness to the sensitive subject matter.
There are so many tough subjects touched on in this book including homelessness, societal struggles, the desire to be free of expectations of others. Shyloh's reality and world was different than most but her experience was no less valid and meaningful. Her story just goes to show how individuals with struggles can still touch the lives of so many people, myself included.
January 3, 2023
Fort Unicorn and the Duchess of Knothing was the honest and loving accounting of the journey of a mother and daughter – bonded and yet separate, intimates and yet strangers, celebrating and yet mourning – as they traveled this uncharted path.
As I read, and wept along the way, although I knew the ending, I kept hoping for another reality. Let’s run it back, do it all again, make it “right”.
But that’s not life. Life is the struggle.... the learning…. the celebration…. the mourning. The acceptance that - in the midst of our imperfections - there is creativity, triumph and compassion. There are our successes and failures, the very things that provide the opportunity for us to contribute to those we encounter and to whom we connect, as they walk their path.
That is the story of Andrea and Shyloh, and all those they loved and encountered and with whom they shared the journey. I came away nurtured, through the experiencing of the incredible nurturing, of a mother and her daughter…. no matter where the path may lead.
As I read, and wept along the way, although I knew the ending, I kept hoping for another reality. Let’s run it back, do it all again, make it “right”.
But that’s not life. Life is the struggle.... the learning…. the celebration…. the mourning. The acceptance that - in the midst of our imperfections - there is creativity, triumph and compassion. There are our successes and failures, the very things that provide the opportunity for us to contribute to those we encounter and to whom we connect, as they walk their path.
That is the story of Andrea and Shyloh, and all those they loved and encountered and with whom they shared the journey. I came away nurtured, through the experiencing of the incredible nurturing, of a mother and her daughter…. no matter where the path may lead.
January 16, 2023
How could anyone who has read it not give this book a 5 star rating? It is a well written, riveting, heart-wrenching, story of love and a mothers' absolute determination to do everything in her power to save her daughter from the consequences of the deadly combination of drug addiction and mental illness. It is an eye-opener for those who are not aware of just how common and sadly pervasive this situation is. As I read the story I hoped in vain, for another ending to the story, which is known from the beginning. It is the hope that mothers and fathers have for those they love so much, that the story could have a happy ending. Yet life does not always dish out happy ending. One can only hope that in the telling of this story of unconditional love, others become aware of the desperate struggle to save those precious ones caught in the dark and often hopeless grip of addiction and mental illness.
December 15, 2022
Often on the same page of this fine book, and sometimes within a single sentence, the writing and the story pulled off the miracle of reeling in both my idea-churning mind and my heart. I felt more human reading it, and more compassionate. The author honors her remarkable daughter and their soul-deep connection and in the process, we are gifted an experience akin to the Leonard Cohen lyric: "there is a crack...in everything; that's how the light gets in."
The book is a hard-earned and up-close study of addiction, mental health, and homelessness. You wade through all that with the author. The reason you want to, though; and the reason it turns you thoughtful and angry about this American shame, is the story. A profound, insightful, honest portrayal of a mother-daughter team like no other.
The book is a hard-earned and up-close study of addiction, mental health, and homelessness. You wade through all that with the author. The reason you want to, though; and the reason it turns you thoughtful and angry about this American shame, is the story. A profound, insightful, honest portrayal of a mother-daughter team like no other.
January 25, 2025
This book really should be essential reading for adults in the USA these days. Mental illness, addiction, and abuse are all around us all the time, and we largely dismiss it. After one reads this book from Coach Andrea, I’m not sure how anyone would be able to continue to turn a blind eye to it.
This book is easy to read in the sense that the writing is compelling, but difficult in the sense that the weight of the heartache is palpable. This isn’t simply the personal account of one person, but also one that leaves us with a larger and far reaching dilema; can we as a society do better, and if so, how? Maybe it starts with the inability to look away any longer. Read the book, let it ruin your day, let it force you to wrestle with the issues, and allow this story to change the way you look at people you encounter from now on.
This book is easy to read in the sense that the writing is compelling, but difficult in the sense that the weight of the heartache is palpable. This isn’t simply the personal account of one person, but also one that leaves us with a larger and far reaching dilema; can we as a society do better, and if so, how? Maybe it starts with the inability to look away any longer. Read the book, let it ruin your day, let it force you to wrestle with the issues, and allow this story to change the way you look at people you encounter from now on.
November 30, 2022
Nelson draws us into her harrowing experience as she tries to save her daughter from the clutches of mental illness and addiction. I was particularly moved by her ability to remain steadfast, despite Shyloh's attempts, at times, to push her away. Not an easy read, but an important one. If you need to see unconditional love in action, read this book. I learned many things I hadn't known or given enough thought to regarding homelessness and survival.
For anyone perhaps trying to understand the struggles of families coping with a mentally ill family member - or to better understand that individual's struggles - read this book. I congratulate Nelson for her courage and her ability to share her mother/daughter story with us all.
For anyone perhaps trying to understand the struggles of families coping with a mentally ill family member - or to better understand that individual's struggles - read this book. I congratulate Nelson for her courage and her ability to share her mother/daughter story with us all.
February 13, 2023
Touchingly written and narrated, Fort Unicorn and the Dutchess of Knothing is a real, raw, intimate and eye-opening look at the infinite love between mother and daughter, pushed beyond the limits by addiction and mental illness. Andrea shares her heartwrenching personal journey with her daughter to help us better understand the realities of addiction and mental illness, the challenges of trying to secure help for someone you love, and the internal struggles, and legal and emotional challenges that come along with those things. Even against all odds, a mother's love and hope endure. So thankful to Andrea for sharing her beautiful Shyloh and her story, and for this enlightening perspective about a population that is often avoided, overlooked or lost.
February 14, 2023
I attended the excellent book talk of the author, Andrea Nelson, on Saturday. This memoir is about Andrea’s loving efforts to help her daughter, an addict living with mental illness on the streets of San Diego. Both the author talk and the book prompted me to reevaluate some of my thoughts about addiction, homelessness, and mental illness and those affected by it. I admire Andrea’s perseverance, strength, and unconditional love for her beautiful daughter as well as her ability to communicate. I highly recommend this book to anyone especially those that have loved ones dealing with addiction, homelessness, or mental illness.
May 1, 2023
I received your book yesterday and finished it yesterday! No words can describe all of the emotions that unraveled when reading it! I felt like I was right there with you and Shyloh at times. I have never met two women with so much potential, intelligence, creativity, passion and free spirits! All of those qualities were revealed in your book and many more! I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to meet you both and for you to share the journey with me and others. I will be sharing your book with my daughter and several friends! You are two remarkable women that I will never forget♥️
March 28, 2024
This is an incredible memoir about addiction, mental illness and homelessness. I am a psychologist who also teaches in the Psychology Department at a midsized university. I required this book in my Psychopathology course this semester. I have heard rave reviews from every student in the course. Many of them said things like, "I don't like to read, but once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down." Many of them read it in one sitting. I have also recommended the book to many of my clients who struggle with substance use issues and they have made similar, positive comments. It is an excellent book.
May 12, 2024
I rarely read books, but my adult son, born a year before Shyloh, told me about this book, had ordered himself a copy. He knew Shyloh in his college days. He has the same mental health diagnosis. As a mother it has been an incredibly difficult journey to witness and experience. Reading Andrea's words, hearing her journey, has brought so many memories to the surface for healing over the past three days while reading and finishing. It's very well written, and moved me along her journey, through years of life, giving the precise amount of detail to touch those deepest places within me. Blessing you, Andrea, for putting into words so honestly this heart wrenching legacy of love.
September 7, 2024
This is a compelling true story about a mother's desperate fight to attempt to help/save her daughter but also a story of love and acceptance.
What struck me most in this book is the constant glimpses of the real Shyloh past the addiction and the mental illness. Glimpses only the mother could see which caused her so much grief as it was apparent her little girl was still present despite everything that she had been through. This story made me realize just how complex loving a family member who is not mentally well and suffering from addiction is. I appreciate the author sharing her story and would highly recommend it.
What struck me most in this book is the constant glimpses of the real Shyloh past the addiction and the mental illness. Glimpses only the mother could see which caused her so much grief as it was apparent her little girl was still present despite everything that she had been through. This story made me realize just how complex loving a family member who is not mentally well and suffering from addiction is. I appreciate the author sharing her story and would highly recommend it.
June 9, 2023
This is one of those stories you just can't put down. It shows the power of a mother's love who is willing to do everything to save the daughter she loves. The number of obstacles that stand in her way are truly heartbreaking; distance, homelessness, mental illness, drug addiction and access to mental health care to name a few. I cried more than I'd like to admit, but this a story that will stick with me for a very long time. It's a story that too often continues to go untold in this country.
February 12, 2024
This is as real of a book and story as you will ever read. Told in such a matter of fact and heart wrenching style. I can't recommend this book enough. It is such a learning process on homelessness and the system and all the emotions and efforts that a mother will go through for their child... and the helplessness, acceptance and everything that goes along with it. What a beautiful spirit within the child and relentless fight from the mother.... please buy it and read it. And rather than share it, buy it as a gift for others in your life. It is a story you will talk about.
February 13, 2025
The only word I can use to describe this amazing book is “WOW”
I finished this incredible story of unconditional love, heartache, courage, determination, frustration, addiction, mental illness in under 4 hours.
I cried, I chuckled, I cheered and I was left speechless with a hole in my heart for Andrea and the loss of her beautiful Shyloh.
This is the story that needs to be told and shared in order for there to become more awareness as to what is really happening out on the streets…
Andrea is the true meaning of “momma bear” and a hero in more ways than one!
I finished this incredible story of unconditional love, heartache, courage, determination, frustration, addiction, mental illness in under 4 hours.
I cried, I chuckled, I cheered and I was left speechless with a hole in my heart for Andrea and the loss of her beautiful Shyloh.
This is the story that needs to be told and shared in order for there to become more awareness as to what is really happening out on the streets…
Andrea is the true meaning of “momma bear” and a hero in more ways than one!
December 31, 2023
This book was an amazing read. The forward doesn't lie, once you pick it up, you won't want or be able to put it down. This book helped me be more understanding, compassionate, and really made me look inwards on my priorities and biases in my own life. This amazing depiction of a mother's unwaivering and truly unconditional love was such a powerful read. I laughed, I ugly cried, and I came out seeing the world in a better light.
December 12, 2022
Wow, very well written and powerful story of a mother's quest to save her daughter. Our book club read it, and loved it. It was great to hear Andrea read from the book so I'm pretty sure the audiobook will be very good. Anyone who has watched a loved one struggle with addiction and mental illness will find a lot to relate to in this book.
May 21, 2023
Couldn’t put this book down. Amazing telling of a mother’s love and support through her daughter’s experiences with mental health and addiction. Andrea’s ability to transport you to Shyloh’s “homes” and feel the love and connection between them is uplifting in the face of heartbreak. Truly inspirational women.
July 30, 2023
I briefly knew the author's daughter and made sure to buy the audiobook to better understand what happened. I have 3 daughters and a son, and this book has made me feel way more aware of the limited access to our children we truly have, as well as the importance of cherishing every moment spent with them. Highly recommended.
December 11, 2022
This is an absolute beautiful and heart wrenching read. The length that this mother went to in an effort to fight for her daughter’s life is remarkable. Told with dignity and honor, I would recommend this book to absolutely anyone.
December 28, 2022
Excellent book. Very well written. Once you start reading the book, you won’t be able to put it down until it is finished. Heart wrenching story that every parent, sibling, child, or friend can relate to.
January 6, 2023
A tragically beautiful account of the power of a mother's love and the push and pull of addiction. Could not set this down once I started. I kept thinking to myself "this story needs to be made into a movie for the world to see."
January 31, 2023
Thought-provoking and complex--you expect the ending, but gain a remarkable insight into both women, along with plenty of opportunities for reflection on autonomy, what makes life worth living, empowering vs enabling, processing life through art and poetry, and more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews