Me, Myself and Them

by Dan Mooney

Denis lives alone. All alone with four of his friends. At least, he thinks they're his friends. Recovering from a terrible tragedy, Denis finds the world intruding on him and his housemates. The unsolicited intrusion begins to unravel what's left of his life, setting him against his friends, setting his friends against each other. There's hope he can come out the other side, but only if he's strong enough.

Genres: Fiction, Mental Health, Contemporary, Audiobook, Realistic Fiction, Family, Psychology

275 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 19, 2018

Reviews

[PattyMacDotComma · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5★ (rounded up because the guy needs help with his demons)

“His suit trousers were expertly ironed and sat atop shiny shoes which covered perfectly-pressed socks. Attention to detail is something that the normal person aspires to, but as far as Denis Murphy was concerned; if you don’t iron your socks, you’re living a lie, hiding your gruesome lack of concern from the world.”

I thought this sounded right up my reading alley, but sadly not. Denis Murphy checks the door lock three times, the gate, etc, and walks so many steps to wherever he’s going. One might say he has typical obsessive-compulsive behaviour, and in many ways he does.

He lives with four monsters, as he calls them. Plasterer, the clown with the painted face, wearing paint-splattered overalls; the Professor, a rotting zombie of some sort; Deano, something hairy; and the rather sexy Penny O’Neill,

“her long feline tail flicking back and forth idly, regarded him with tawny eyes and a smile. Being the tallest of the four, she could easily see over Professor Scorpion’s head. Her body, that of a perfectly proportioned woman covered entirely in soft shimmering blonde fur, seemed to tremble with the effort to remain balanced. A woman, but also a cat.

‘Hello,’ she said in her usual smoky voice.”

He has a well-paid job in statistical analysis, and we discover he meets the same two friends for coffee at exactly the same time every Sunday and visits a third in hospital, only ever standing outside the door of the room, waving to the friend’s parents. And every Monday, he suffers a visit from his mother, who yearns to hug her now touch-allergic son.

Whenever he goes out, the demon/monsters seem to tear the house apart, spilling, tearing, dirtying, destroying things to the extent that Denis must then spend hours cleaning. At one point, he empties the cleaning bottles because he feels compelled to clean the insides of the bottles.

But he wasn’t always like this. Those three friends were his flatmates. Plus, he lived with a girlfriend. I mean really 'lived with', like a normal guy. She shows up again early in the piece, seems like a lovely girl, and it completely unnerves him.

I kept reading only because I was curious to discover what made him go off the rails, so to speak, but as the story went on with continuing appearances by the monsters (who stayed hidden when his mother or others came) and continued descriptions of the havoc 'they' wreaked, I lost patience and didn't even skim to the end.

It’s obvious that there was some trauma, and I’m sure it’s explained later, and there will be many who will enjoy this. But it’s not for me.

The characters, even the real ones, were not people I felt like spending more time with, but I wish them well, as I do the author. I expect we’ll see more from him. I hope so, because I think I owe him another chance.

Thanks to NetGalley and Legend Press for the preview copy from which I’ve quoted.

[John Gilbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF at 50%. There was a lot to like in this story of a man who became totally OCD with four 'flatmates' living in his home and dominating his life. Some nice themes and some funny interactions, but I just could not face a whole half of the book to still go through. Only for the very keen.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this author’s other book, The Great Unexpected, so much that I decided to read this one right away and I’m definitely not disappointed. I’ve never read a book quite like this one.
Denis is struggling to cope with a traumatic event that happened seven years ago and he manages by running his life with very strict routines and structure. Denis is also lucky enough to have two incredibly supportive friends, Ollie and Frank, who stand by him through it all. Oh, and there are the four monsters he lives with that help him, in between the chaos they bring to his life. Everything is going along as smoothly as it can for Denis until his ex-girlfriend, Rebecca, moves back to town and this throws Denis and his life, along with the monsters he lives with, completely off balance. This book starts out quite light and funny but the fact is that the lead character is suffering with a severe mental illness so the story does turn very serious, dark and heartbreaking at times.
I had a very hard time putting this book down and I don’t think I will forget the story or the characters anytime soon.

[Dolf Patijn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was by chance that I saw the message on Twitter about Dan Mooney’s book launch on the 26th of May in O’Mahony’s book shop in Limerick City. He asked for people to come to it as he was afraid that only a few family members would show up. I had a look at what the book was about, decided that it looked intriguing, so I put the date on my calendar and went to the launch. Dan Mooney shouldn’t have worried because the place was packed. I had a little chat with him and bought two signed copies; one for an American friend who we were going to have dinner with half an hour later and one for myself.

Dan had already won an award for the book: the Luke Bitmead Bursary. This is an award for non-published authors who can submit their book and if they get the prize, they get a publishing deal with Legends Press. I had never heard of this award but it made me even more curious about the book, and after reading I can say that it is a real gem.

The protagonist is Denis Murphy, a man who suffers from mental illness as a result of a traumatic event, which doesn’t make it a depressing book, even though there is sadness, because Dan Mooney keeps the tone quite light and his discussions with his “housemates” are sometimes funny. Denis is a believable character, annoying at times but also likeable. The book is nicely paced and well written and the story is original. I’m not going into the storyline because I think you should just read it. Every now and then I thought that Dan Mooney explained too much but that is just nit-picking because this is a cracker of a debut novel. Highly recommended.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me, Myself and Them pulled me in with a strong start that paints a picture of the detailed life of a very persnickety and exacting man, Denis Murphy. He lives by a strict routine, following a minute-by-minute schedule he prepares for himself each day. He views any deviations from his plans and requirements (things like running late, items being grouped in odd numbers instead of even, or maybe a person accidentally touching him) as a major catastrophe.

These catastrophes will lead him home to be comforted by his four roommates, who just so happen to be monsters. The monsters take care of Denis by creating huge messes for him to focus his energy and mind on cleaning instead of thinking about the traumatic event that led him to live his life in such an unusual way.

When someone from the past reappears in Denis's life, it becomes a battle of wits and war of wills between the monsters who want to keep him on the path that has kept him safe for several years, and the friend who wants to remind him how he used to live his life.

I really wanted to love this book, and for the first half to two thirds of the way through I thought I was going to be recommending this book to several people I know. There are not enough strong pieces of fiction covering mental illness in a realistic way, and they get even rarer when the story is told from the perspective of the ill person, and rarer still to be addressing mental illness in men. I want to see stories in this category succeed!

But, for me, the story started to drag a bit at some point in the second half. The action becomes a bit repetitive and it starts to get harder to believe that Denis's friends and family aren't more concerned and more on to the "shenanigans" as the roommate monsters ramp up in the war against his family and friends. Unfortunately, this is probably a highly realistic account of how things might go -- it's just too realistic to be believable in a work of fiction :(

Although this book did not turn out (as I'd hoped) to be one of my all-time favourites, I still enjoyed the read. I would recommend this to anyone who has had to deal up close and personal with the dirty, nitty-gritty and utterly nonsensical way that mental illness can pervade a person to the very core.

I definitely enjoyed the personalities and quirks of each of the characters within. I laughed with them, and my heart broke a little for each of them as well. I'll be looking for more from author Dan Mooney -- I love the way he crafted these characters and I am confident I'll enjoy reading more of his work.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with this free e-ARC. It was very appreciated.

[Diana · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book I had high expectatives for, but the guy was so far gone on his path that I couldn't tag along or really understand him. I kept pushing on for a bit, waiting to see how he could have gone from who he was to what he is now... understand how the friend on the hospital influenced his change of behaviour, but he is so full of stygmas and so far gone that it was difficult for me to sympatize with him or the narrative.
Probably people can enjoy it because it is not a bad book, but it didn't cut it for me :/

[Bookread2day · Rating 3 out of 5]

Struggling to cope with a tragic loss, Dennis Murphy has learned to live a bit differently. He was always dressed well. Denise always considered maintaining his appearance to be something of a priority and the act of maintaining his professional look was a chore in which he could lose himself happily. His suit trousers were expertly ironed and sat atop shiny shoes which covered perfectly pressed socks. His shirt starched and crisp. A careful, meticulous man, he awarded each job the relevant time he felt it deserved. Washing dishes was more important than cooking, maintaining the bathroom a higher priority than vacuuming the stairs. For Denise, a daily schedule was written every night and completed on time every day. To Denise manners were so very important. He never offended anyone. Buy his housemates were famously messy when they wanted to be.

[LenaRibka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mental health is a serious and not easy topic to write or to read about. I have to admit, I'm absolutely NOT looking forward to reading more books with a protagonist who has serious mental health issues.

But I’m so glad that I gave this book a chance. It is so different from what I read and what I imagined. It was like a breath of fresh air.

A heartbreaking tragic but nevertheless hopeful and beautifully told story of Denis and his housemates, and his difficult journey back to life.


My 2018 reading challenge - suits for p.16. A book about mental health.

***ARC provided kindly by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.***

[Petra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winner of the 2016 Luke Bitmead bursary, Me, Myself and Them is the story of one man's struggle against the monsters surrounding him. Following a tragic event 7 years ago, Denis never allowed himself to work through his grief and his mental health has suffered. Rather than facing his troubles, he's withdrawn into a different "universe" where he simply exists by following a regimented routine and behaves in an obsessive, compulsive manner focusing on cleanliness and hygiene. Denis has been his own worst enemy as is manifested by his four "housemates". His two remaining friends, Ollie and Frank, are used to Dan's strange ways and accommodate him. But when Dan's ex-girlfriend, Rebecca, re-enters his life, Dan's sheltered existence is threatened as the person he used to be begins to re-emerge and he is forced into an all-out war against the monsters in his house. Which parts of Dan's personality will persist?
This was a beautifully written, introspective story that was uncomfortable to read at times because of its rawness and astute insight into grief and mental health. Those parts were really well done. There were other aspects, e.g. the relationship between Denis and Rebecca, that I found hard to believe (perhaps I'm too much of a cynic). Overall though, this was as funny as it was tragic, and honestly, it was quite bizarre as well. I'll be looking out for further books by Dan Mooney. Excellent debut.
With thanks once again to Legend Press who keep publishing great stories and for providing me with these compelling ARCs.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mental illness is a terrible thing and so it is unpleasant to find out what living with it is like. Once you get to know Dennis and develop some empathy for him, his story is gripping.

[The Book Chief · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘He watched the people walk by, studying their faces. As they poured by on the busy street he saw the whole gamut of human emotion. It was visible on faces of every age, and race and was specific to no gender. A river of people, carrying a river of emotion, driven by a great intangible force. It scared him a little.’

Me, Myself and Them by debut author Dan Mooney is many things. It is a tough read. It is incredibly sad. It is a tearjerker. Yet in parts, the laughs reminded me of Graeme Simsion’s The Rosie Project. Overall, it can be summed up as a stunningly original novel that uniquely deals with themes such as loss, friendship and mental health.

The novel centres around Denis Murphy and ‘his foibles.’ Denis plans his day to the minute and refuses to engage with anyone other than his two best friends and his mother. This keeps human contact down to the bare minimum. ‘The battle for conversation is fought in trenches of politeness and references to the weather.’ Denis only knows happiness when he is rigidly following a routine, cleaning up after his unruly housemates or surrounded by even numbers.

‘Attention to detail is something that the normal person aspires to, but as far as Denis Murphy was concerned; if you don’t iron your socks, you’re living a lie, hiding your gruesome lack of concern from the world.’

Did I mention his housemates? As Denis himself says, ‘home is where the hell is.’ This is because he secretly lives with an intimidating clown, an overtly feminine feline, a zombie professor and a mute furball called Deano. The novel could have gotten very weird here but somehow Mooney makes it work. He even makes it believable. He does this by turning the fish out of water technique on its head. Denis is clearly a fish drowning in his own insanity yet unable to see the water all around him.

You would think that this novel would have too much going on to work but Mooney keeps the story going with the gentlest of touches. As we read on, the author begins to drip feed the reader with details of a tragic accident. These scenes are the novel’s true heart and soul and I was greatly impressed with how they were handled.

The shining light of the novel are Denis’ friends and his ex-girlfriend Rebecca who try to help Denis become himself again. Like any battle with mental illness, the events are not all plain sailing. There are many setbacks along the way as Denis fights to conceal the true nature of his thoughts and we are kept guessing right up to the end. These friends steal the show with their patience and dedicated loyalty to Denis.

Mental health is the hardest of issues to write about compassionately but Mooney nails it here using the most unexpected of devices. To conclude, I can’t speak highly enough of this novel. You are just going to have to read it yourself and marvel at it’s brilliant ingenuity.

“I think if you examine yourself very carefully you’ll know why, but then, you’ve never been overly fond of introspection have you? It hurts, so you don’t do it. Eventually you’re going to have to. It shows you what you’re worth to yourself.”

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mixed feelings. First, I applaud the author's approach to some pretty heavy topics, primarily mental health. The descriptions of the main character's behavior and inner turmoil are pretty great, and the reader can't help but root for this broken man. It's also nice to see a character who isn't automatically cured by love, because that's not generally how it works. I get fed up with movies, books, etc. that portray mental illness as something that can easily be fixed, if the right person comes along to fix it. (Actually, the more I think about it, the more I like the book, so I'm changing my rating from 3 to 4 stars) That being said, there are still aspects that are not totally realistic, that are obviously glamorized or bent a bit to fit the plot. There is still a hint of "she saved me," and the ending is a bit too neat, but in many ways this seems like a more realistic portrayal than other books with a mentally ill main character. I could nit-pick all the inaccuracies about psychosis/OCD, but that would just be stupid and completely beside the point I believe the author was trying to make, which is that mental illness is real, but help is out there. Overall, a really good read.

Thank you to Legend Press for providing me with an advanced copy through NetGalley.

[Snoakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me, Myself and Them nearly reduced me to tears on more than one occasion. It's the story of Denis, a man with severe obsessive compulsive behaviours. He's clearly struggling with his mental health and his two remaining friends persevere with him, trying their best to help, sticking by him and occasionally trying to shake him out of his well-ordered routines. After several years of his difficult behaviour they have simply become used to this new version of Denis and try to accommodate him and his foibles as best they can. What they don't know however is that Denis shares his house with four monsters.
When his ex-girlfriend returns from travelling it rips his world apart. We start to see glimpses of the young man Denis once was before the tragic events that left him in such a fragile and broken state.
It's an emotional read that explores guilt, mental health and male friendships and pulls mercilessly on the heartstrings - keep the tissue box handy.

[Up All Night With Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Insightful Stars
Review by Nancy
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog

Definitely a tear jerker, Me, Myself & Them by Dan Mooney is not what I was expecting, I will say this book is not for everyone. But Mooney didn’t give us all sad, there were some light moments and some funny moments. A well written book that touches on a tough subject, mental health.

We never know what to expect after a tragedy, there is no how to deal with tragedies manual, and everyone copes differently. This is the case of Denis Murphey. He has a severe case of OCD, has completely isolated himself, can not bear to be touched, and lives with his four “roommates” also known as monsters.

Denis has a routine he follows meticulously, there is not a second that is unaccounted for. The only chaos in his life is created by his “roommates” and keeping after them is what keeps Denis feeling in complete control. When his ex girlfriends comes back into his life, he feels like his world is being altered and Denis has a hard time coming to terms with the outside world. He is faced with a reality he had hidden away for so long.

Mooney did an excellent job with this book. Is it something everyone will enjoy, not likely, but I sure did! Although the subject was tough, I found myself laughing, shaking my head, and hurting for Denis and the secondary character. Most definitely worth giving this book a try!

**ARC provided by author for honest review**

[Stargazer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every book i open i hope will hook me from first to last word and pull me into the stream of words so i can float off into The Flow that we can sometimes access from reading - the state where only the universe created between the book and you exists. This was one of those that allowed me to slip into that state, loved it.
In fact i was s o into it that when i fell asleep in the middle of it, my dream carried the story on..
I hope this is not a stand alone, and look forward to seeing what the author produces next.

[Paltia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unique and quirky expression of a man tormented by guilt and grief. Mr. Mooney had his work cut out for him in attempting ( mostly successfully) to present his readers with his ideas of the inner turmoil of a broken man. If you can leave any preconceived notions of mental illness behind and refrain from pulling out your DSM 5, you will easily enter the world Denis Murphy inhabits with the other facets of self he created to survive. A rather tidy ending bit it felt good given what the poor character endured.

[Kirsten Reay · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to read this book as well as multiple times starting and restarting. But I’ve finished it and I can honestly say I am glad I read it! Mooney paints an interesting and intriguing picture that slowly dissolved into madness and depth as Our Hero starts literally fighting back against his inner demons. The ending had me crying and smiling. As a person who is dealing with mental illness herself, it was a difficult book to read given the subject matter but I’m very glad I read it!

[Teresa Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty depressing foray into the mind of someone who feels responsible for the death of his sister and best friend. The way he handles his grief is very unique and interesting, and sad. A good read if you are strong enough.

[Beagle Lover (Avid Reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 🌟

Review to follow...

[Vicki Bowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to the publisher, Legend Press, for the proof copy. This review is my honest opinion.

My God but there are some good books out there this year. So far most of those I have read I have given a rating of either 4 or 5 out of 5. I keep thinking I'm giving too many 5 stars, but they really are that good. And Me, Myself and Them is no exception.

Actually, it is an exception. It is an exceptional book; dealing with mental health issues that few people like to discuss, even in these enlightened days of 'It's ok not to be ok' and #MentalHealthMatters. Dan Mooney deals with these issues with sensitivity and humour, and understanding. Yes, it can be an uncomfortable read at times, but it is utterly compelling.

It becomes obvious as the book goes on that a past tragedy has left the 'old' Denis behind, and this new, shy, obsessive Denis in his place. This Denis has developed his own coping strategies - or are they avoidance techniques. Most people think he's weird and avoid him, but Denis has some very good friends who stand by him. Unfortunately there are also some not quite as benevolent who are determined not to let him go.

It is an outstanding, heartbreaking story which resonated in my very core. I found him to be a desperately sad character, with his OCD ways and habits, but immensely likeable. He is still able to show his sense of humour, even taking the mickey out of himself and his 'ways' at times.

This book shows how events in our lives can shake us to the core, and the huge impact they can have on our lives. Some lucky people go through life without experiencing anything truly awful, and I think these people would have trouble understanding how someone so 'normal' before could be so broken. What we need when we are in trouble is people around us who care, even if they find it hard to know how to help; just being there helps, as Denis finds with his two closest friends.

When Rebecca, Denis's ex turns up, Denis is torn. She wants the old Denis back, but he thinks he is gone forever. Rebecca is a lovely character, treading very carefully in how far she can push him. She shows a rare patience with him, and tries to help him.

The ending of the book is so very good. I was in tears and it has me thinking about it for a long while afterwards. Me, Myself and Them is truly unforgettable and Dan Mooney is a more than worthy winner of the Luke Bitmead Bursary.

[Patti Parker Markgraf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable from its beginning to ending sentence, Dan Mooney creates characters that are both lovable & infuriating. Mooney does a great job in taking on a crippling illness like depression, developing a storyline that has the reader laughing, cheering, & brooding—often at the same time.
An amusing and stirring look at how depression can entirely consume a person’s life, and how the power of friendship and love can pave the road toward healing. Thank you to Park Row Books for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a slightly outlandish read, which may put some people off, but if you look beyond the weirdness, it is an enlightening and poignant account of one man's inner battles with his mental health issues. It is original and well crafted and it is well worth a read.

full review on my blog : http://madhousefamilyreviews.blogspot...

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating

I felt part of Denis’s entire journey. Another glimpse into how grief can turn ones life upside down.
Brilliantly written

[Harriet Mackinney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled to finish this and kept putting it down

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got to page 92 of this book and quit. Clearly the main character has mental health issues and wasn't something I could get in to.

[Melissa Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Me, Myself and Them” addresses the serious mental health issues associated with PTSD. In this case, the protagonist develops a personal support system that includes only being able to deal with even numbers, obsessively washing his hands after touching the “unclean” and a host of other OCD behaviors. I applaud the author, Dan Mooney, for his honesty in telling a story that is clearly near to his heart.

Like Rebecca, I loved Denis, and wanted to heal him, but ultimately he has to heal himself.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm finding this hard to rate and review to be honest.
I can see its a clever book,having the monster housemates that are really a mental health problem.
It was at its best I thought when Denis was fighting against them,and they were goading him into realising they were him.
Other parts I didn't find so good,the arrival of Rebecca out of the blue after such a long silence,and then both her and Denis behaviour towards each other didn't quite ring true.
It was a decent enough book,but I wonder if I just didn't "get it".

[Anne Goodwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Denis Murphy has everything under control, from the one hundred and twenty minutes he’s prepared to spend with his two friends in a cafe to his carefully ironed socks. And he really doesn’t mind the mess made by his eccentric housemates, their antics merely providing an excuse for some intensive cleaning. Otherwise, apart from a barely tolerated visit from his mother on a Sunday, Denis doesn’t do people. Fortunately, as a data analyst, he’s able to work from home.
Full review
Two novels about young men forced to face the real world http://annegoodwin.weebly.com/1/post/...

[Anne Marie Silbiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creating a world in order to avoid real life with all of its pain has its consequences, we all know this.
Denis created four whole friends who lived and created utter chaos in his life which he seemed to enjoy, up to a point.
The book freaked me out a little because the capability of the mind in creating a world like this isn't beyond any of us, not when trauma and hurt pushes us to the edge of reason.
I enjoyed reading this but found myself impatient to get to the end,even leaving it for days because I didn't want to find out that Denis was going to suffer any more than he was. The ending was not a disappointment by the way.
I liked this book a lot. It left me caring sincerely for the characters.
That is important.
I look forward to reading more of Dan Mooney to see where he takes me.

[Grace Harwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book - it tells the story of Denis, who lives alone in his immaculate house, with his immaculate clothes and a routine which can't be deviated from one little bit. Living with him are four monsters (the clown out of It, the hairy creature out of the Adams family, a catwoman and a zombie academic). They control his life and every aspect of it, making messes for him to clean up, so that he can take pleasure in restoring order. Then one day, he runs into his ex-girlfriend again and chaos ensues as Denis loses control over the order, but starts to find himself again.

I so enjoyed reading this book - I just couldn't put it down. Denis is so irrational in his rationality and insistence on order, that you would think that the reader would not relate to him. Instead, the author has constructed a character who the reader forgives again and again (much like his - real, living - friends do). The monsters living inside his house/head are a fantastic addition to the story and a frightening reflection on how easily it is to lose yourself in your own head.

I can't recommend this book enough.