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The Fifth Floor
One secret. A decade of silence.
Seven-year-old Anna loves the constant commotion of her big family. Most of all, Anna adores her ten-year-old sister Liz. They build forts, climb trees, and stick together, no matter what. One moment the two girls are dangling from their backyard swing set; the next, everything changes…
Anna will never be the same.
After 10 years of heartache and grief, seventeen-year-old Anna’s life is becoming increasingly difficult. She would like nothing more than to forget her past, but memories of her childhood are burned into her soul. Can she hide the unspeakable truth from years ago? Find out now in Julie Oleszek’s debut novel, The Fifth Floor.
"Julie Oleszek will take you on a compassionate journey that will change you and renew your faith in mankind. This book deserves to be on the Best Seller List."
Sandra Whiteis
Seven-year-old Anna loves the constant commotion of her big family. Most of all, Anna adores her ten-year-old sister Liz. They build forts, climb trees, and stick together, no matter what. One moment the two girls are dangling from their backyard swing set; the next, everything changes…
Anna will never be the same.
After 10 years of heartache and grief, seventeen-year-old Anna’s life is becoming increasingly difficult. She would like nothing more than to forget her past, but memories of her childhood are burned into her soul. Can she hide the unspeakable truth from years ago? Find out now in Julie Oleszek’s debut novel, The Fifth Floor.
"Julie Oleszek will take you on a compassionate journey that will change you and renew your faith in mankind. This book deserves to be on the Best Seller List."
Sandra Whiteis
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2015
181 people are currently reading
1333 people want to read
About the author
Julie Oleszek
4 books46 followersJulie Oleszek is the author of The Fifth Floor trilogy and Pompey Hollow Road, but she is also a teacher and animal lover who enjoys traveling, gardening, and finding joy in the little things of life.
In addition, Julie hangs out with family and friends, is always on the lookout for a good plate of nachos, revels in the next best audiobook, and is mesmerized by midwestern thunderstorms.
Julie and her husband, Mike, enjoy watching Jeopardy and taking their dog, Bo, on walks.
Go to JulieOleszek.com to learn more about her award-winning novels.
In addition, Julie hangs out with family and friends, is always on the lookout for a good plate of nachos, revels in the next best audiobook, and is mesmerized by midwestern thunderstorms.
Julie and her husband, Mike, enjoy watching Jeopardy and taking their dog, Bo, on walks.
Go to JulieOleszek.com to learn more about her award-winning novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
August 19, 2017
Seven-year-old Anna thinks she killed her older sister in an accident. Ten years later she winds up on a locked psychiatric ward, still tormented by Liz's death. In order to recover, Anna will need to finally confront the truth about what happened to her beloved sister, but she refuses to consider the option.
THE FIFTH FLOOR is a semi autobiographical novel/memoir of Julie Oleszek experiences as the ninth of ten children (you'll read the phrase many, many times throughout the book). Oleszek's story is fascinating, unfortunately, her writing left me underwhelmed. Often repetitive, she tells, rather than shows the entire saga beginning when she was five. While I empathized with Anna's pain and loss, I had difficulty liking the character. I never felt like I was in her shoes.
I borrowed THE FIFTH FLOOR from Amazon Prime, so the price was right. I'll probably read the follow up to find out what happens, because the story is more interesting than the writing flaws.
THE FIFTH FLOOR is a semi autobiographical novel/memoir of Julie Oleszek experiences as the ninth of ten children (you'll read the phrase many, many times throughout the book). Oleszek's story is fascinating, unfortunately, her writing left me underwhelmed. Often repetitive, she tells, rather than shows the entire saga beginning when she was five. While I empathized with Anna's pain and loss, I had difficulty liking the character. I never felt like I was in her shoes.
I borrowed THE FIFTH FLOOR from Amazon Prime, so the price was right. I'll probably read the follow up to find out what happens, because the story is more interesting than the writing flaws.
January 22, 2016
I found this book challenging to read, because it confronted so many issues that I deal with myself.
Anna is the ninth of ten children and is very close to her older sister Liz. When Liz dies, Anna is only seven and feels that she is responsible, that in some way she killed her sister. Her parents are distant - she describes her father as somebody who doesn't share meals with them and spends most evenings shut away in his room with his stamp collection. For the next ten years, Anna is overlooked. She is passed from one grade to the next in spite of her indifferent work; her teachers either ignore her or belittle her. Nobody sees how this child is hurting. She has nightmares almost every night. These ten years are glossed over quickly; they aren't part of the story the author wants to tell.
Then when she is seventeen, she stops eating. After twenty days without food, she is too weak to go on, and finally her mother notices that something is wrong. She ends up on the fifth floor of the local hospital. It is a locked mental ward.
Here is the heart of this story, on the fifth floor, as Anna slowly lets her feelings out and struggles towards wellness. It is hard for her to let go. Voices in her head tell her that she is weak, a faker, to admit how she feels (these seem to have grown out of her siblings' voices, telling her that she is faking just to get her mother's attention when she is sick). So many of her thoughts parallel my own, even though I am not from a large family, didn't lose a sibling, and have the opposite problem with my eating. She wonders about her younger sister Bridgett:
"I wonder if she misses me. I wonder if she is praying to God to bring me home quickly. I hope not, because I know she will be disappointed to learn that God doesn't listen. It is all a farce planted in our brains by our mother. 'Ask and you shall receive. Baloney!' I mutter."
I, too, had learned as a child that God doesn't listen. I still deal with this every day.
There were other thoughts of Anna's that had me nodding in agreement. She wishes she had been the one to die, not her sister. She doesn't believe she is good.
Reading about somebody else's struggles with mental health is ultimately helpful to me. It makes me feel a little less isolated, a little more human.
Anna is the ninth of ten children and is very close to her older sister Liz. When Liz dies, Anna is only seven and feels that she is responsible, that in some way she killed her sister. Her parents are distant - she describes her father as somebody who doesn't share meals with them and spends most evenings shut away in his room with his stamp collection. For the next ten years, Anna is overlooked. She is passed from one grade to the next in spite of her indifferent work; her teachers either ignore her or belittle her. Nobody sees how this child is hurting. She has nightmares almost every night. These ten years are glossed over quickly; they aren't part of the story the author wants to tell.
Then when she is seventeen, she stops eating. After twenty days without food, she is too weak to go on, and finally her mother notices that something is wrong. She ends up on the fifth floor of the local hospital. It is a locked mental ward.
Here is the heart of this story, on the fifth floor, as Anna slowly lets her feelings out and struggles towards wellness. It is hard for her to let go. Voices in her head tell her that she is weak, a faker, to admit how she feels (these seem to have grown out of her siblings' voices, telling her that she is faking just to get her mother's attention when she is sick). So many of her thoughts parallel my own, even though I am not from a large family, didn't lose a sibling, and have the opposite problem with my eating. She wonders about her younger sister Bridgett:
"I wonder if she misses me. I wonder if she is praying to God to bring me home quickly. I hope not, because I know she will be disappointed to learn that God doesn't listen. It is all a farce planted in our brains by our mother. 'Ask and you shall receive. Baloney!' I mutter."
I, too, had learned as a child that God doesn't listen. I still deal with this every day.
There were other thoughts of Anna's that had me nodding in agreement. She wishes she had been the one to die, not her sister. She doesn't believe she is good.
Reading about somebody else's struggles with mental health is ultimately helpful to me. It makes me feel a little less isolated, a little more human.
January 16, 2016
Sad, emotional and brutally honest story about a life wasted on guilt.
This could have been any person’s story as we all experience trauma on different levels.
This is an in-depth look into the life of a young girl, the ninth child in a family of ten children. Through this book you experience her journey to healing with her. Not for those who only believe in fairy tales.
There is also a lesson in this sad story for every parent to never underestimate the impact of traumatic events on young kids – they often not too young to understand and need the help to work through events with the help of professionals.
Highly recommended.
This could have been any person’s story as we all experience trauma on different levels.
This is an in-depth look into the life of a young girl, the ninth child in a family of ten children. Through this book you experience her journey to healing with her. Not for those who only believe in fairy tales.
There is also a lesson in this sad story for every parent to never underestimate the impact of traumatic events on young kids – they often not too young to understand and need the help to work through events with the help of professionals.
Highly recommended.
April 8, 2016
Glad I finished but not my favorite
I almost didn't finish this book several times, but I'm glad I did. I think I wanted more to be happening, more excitement, and there were parts that just dragged on. With that said, it was nicely wrapped up and was a pretty good story as a whole. It probably could have been shorter and had the same if not more impact.
I almost didn't finish this book several times, but I'm glad I did. I think I wanted more to be happening, more excitement, and there were parts that just dragged on. With that said, it was nicely wrapped up and was a pretty good story as a whole. It probably could have been shorter and had the same if not more impact.
May 16, 2017
I bought this book as a 99 cent book deal from Amazon on a whim in the midst of a reading slump. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this was much more and I finished in a day. The Fifth Floor was a painful, real, touching story of a girl named Anna who buried her emotions and sadness as far down inside of herself for as long as she possibly could until her unaddressed grief consumed her. I believe anyone who has ever lost someone will understand and empathize with Anna in some way or another. I know I did. Her story had me laughing, crying, and realizing things about my own pain and ways of grieving (or lack thereof). This is a story I wholeheartedly recommend, and one that will stay with me for a long time.
November 27, 2017
I got this as a free download from Bookbub and I am so glad I did! This is an excellent first novel by Julie Oleszek.
At first, I found it difficult to understand where this book was heading.
We are initially given a view of a happy childhood filled with laughter and fun and a crowd of brothers and sisters.
But then something terrible and tragic happens. She is too young to truly understand and the loss crashes over Anna like a tsunami.. what she doesn't see, is that it affects all of her family.. she only knows that the memories of her sister are so painful, she cannot speak of her and it intensifies her loss so much that even years later, it finally breaks her.
Anna has no clue how significant it is that she states to her carers that she is the eighth of nine siblings. She names them. And when she does, one is missing. They know, they understand what she cannot bring herself to say. But they must wait until she is ready to tell them, she must realise for herself what that means.
Anna's emotions are suppressed at first, holding everything in so tightly and then so raw and terrifying it hurts to see her thoughts and memories burst out of her like shards of broken glass. She fights, every step of the way. Does not trust that they will understand or that they can help her. It takes Anna a long time to discover that acknowledging other peoples struggles can help with her own.
The author covers, grief, depression and recovery in a sensitive and believeable way. I think I have learned something valuable.. that grief has raw, terrible and painful claws that will rip you apart. It can destroy you if you let it. I have a feeling this story will live with me for a long while.
Highly recommended.
FIVE STARS!
At first, I found it difficult to understand where this book was heading.
We are initially given a view of a happy childhood filled with laughter and fun and a crowd of brothers and sisters.
But then something terrible and tragic happens. She is too young to truly understand and the loss crashes over Anna like a tsunami.. what she doesn't see, is that it affects all of her family.. she only knows that the memories of her sister are so painful, she cannot speak of her and it intensifies her loss so much that even years later, it finally breaks her.
Anna has no clue how significant it is that she states to her carers that she is the eighth of nine siblings. She names them. And when she does, one is missing. They know, they understand what she cannot bring herself to say. But they must wait until she is ready to tell them, she must realise for herself what that means.
Anna's emotions are suppressed at first, holding everything in so tightly and then so raw and terrifying it hurts to see her thoughts and memories burst out of her like shards of broken glass. She fights, every step of the way. Does not trust that they will understand or that they can help her. It takes Anna a long time to discover that acknowledging other peoples struggles can help with her own.
The author covers, grief, depression and recovery in a sensitive and believeable way. I think I have learned something valuable.. that grief has raw, terrible and painful claws that will rip you apart. It can destroy you if you let it. I have a feeling this story will live with me for a long while.
Highly recommended.
FIVE STARS!
February 25, 2017
*I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.*
The story takes place in the city of Chicago, the year 1972.
Anna, the main character, is the ninth child of ten siblings. She is extremely close with her older sister, Liz. As kids, they enjoyed playing outside on their swing set. Until one awful day an accident occurs that changes Anna forever. Left to cope with the aftermath, Anna feels lost and trapped in her broken world. With her parents and siblings that are less then affectionate, all Anna wants is to be accepted by them.
Now, at age 17, Anna can't seem to separate the present from the past and things begin to spiral downward for her. She finds it almost impossible to function still after ten years from that horrible day. Eventually, with the help of her parents Anna is taken to a psychiatric doctor. Slowly, Anna begins to heal from the past with treatment at a facility and friends that she makes along the way.
This book covers very heavy subject matter that is portrayed, and in my opinion, resolved respectfully. I thought The Fifth Floor was well written and took you on a journey to recovery. I really felt like I got to know Anna and was rooting for her to get better. It broke my heart to hear of Anna's parents neglectfulness towards their daughter when she needed them the most. I was very happy to see Anna get the help she so desperately needed and the deep connections she made with others who were struggling as well.
February 7, 2016
I simply loved this book. The weekend helped and I did not have to break the reading spree, which would have been heart-breaking.
Many of us have our own demons. Some of the demons disappear as we grow, some of us grow stronger than the demon and make them disappear. However, the human mind works in it's own way and even the strongest may break down because of a small incident which may scar the soul. Such scars if happen at a growing it is quite possible that the child shuts the mind to outside and with time starts dissociating from reality and the real world. Unfortunately most of the times even the family members are able to notice he difference too late.
But this is a not a story of only being bound by those scars and demons but also of hope and realising that one has to let go and break out of the shackles of their inner demons.
I loved the way To kill a mockingbird has been brought in and referred to, that being my favourite book.
It's a story of a bunch of young people, including the protagonist, who have faced severe trauma of losing someone very dear to them and got overpowered by the sorrow and detached themselves from their surroundings. Once institutionalised, how slowly they find their inner courage with the support of each other.
Excellent narration, kept me rivetted to it.
Many of us have our own demons. Some of the demons disappear as we grow, some of us grow stronger than the demon and make them disappear. However, the human mind works in it's own way and even the strongest may break down because of a small incident which may scar the soul. Such scars if happen at a growing it is quite possible that the child shuts the mind to outside and with time starts dissociating from reality and the real world. Unfortunately most of the times even the family members are able to notice he difference too late.
But this is a not a story of only being bound by those scars and demons but also of hope and realising that one has to let go and break out of the shackles of their inner demons.
I loved the way To kill a mockingbird has been brought in and referred to, that being my favourite book.
It's a story of a bunch of young people, including the protagonist, who have faced severe trauma of losing someone very dear to them and got overpowered by the sorrow and detached themselves from their surroundings. Once institutionalised, how slowly they find their inner courage with the support of each other.
Excellent narration, kept me rivetted to it.
August 21, 2015
It's a bit of a cliché that the protagonist in an author's debut novel often shares a lot of qualities with the author. Here, the protagonist, Anna, and author are both the ninth in a family with ten children. I suspect the author grew up in the Western suburbs of Chicago, probably about the same time as Anna, too. All of this means the details ring true. As the oldest in a family a touch smaller than Anna's, I can say that Oleszek nails the dynamic of a large family, both in how the siblings and parents interact and the differences in the experiences growing up for the younger children compared to the older.
Getting the little things right matters, especially in a story like this where those minor details set up some of the major ones, how Anna reacts to the death of a sibling and how as a younger sibling she is overlooked, eventually resulting in much bigger problems. The majority of the story is how Anna eventually comes to terms with her sister's death in this thought provoking and enjoyable coming-of-age story.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
Getting the little things right matters, especially in a story like this where those minor details set up some of the major ones, how Anna reacts to the death of a sibling and how as a younger sibling she is overlooked, eventually resulting in much bigger problems. The majority of the story is how Anna eventually comes to terms with her sister's death in this thought provoking and enjoyable coming-of-age story.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
January 17, 2016
Surviving the pain of loss
A truly personal story of a teenage girl imprisoned by pain and loss that cannot be communicated in any other way than turning against herself until she comes to the fifth floor. How does a child deal with death? How does a child deal with the death of a sibling? The grief is often so silent we adults cannot see it as we deal with our own grief.
The author is especially gifted at giving an understanding of Anna's struggle as her thoughts are shared with the reader while Anna's outward behavior continues to protect through denial, anger and self blame.
When the journey is complete the reader may be surprised to have found insight and healing for himself and others.
A truly personal story of a teenage girl imprisoned by pain and loss that cannot be communicated in any other way than turning against herself until she comes to the fifth floor. How does a child deal with death? How does a child deal with the death of a sibling? The grief is often so silent we adults cannot see it as we deal with our own grief.
The author is especially gifted at giving an understanding of Anna's struggle as her thoughts are shared with the reader while Anna's outward behavior continues to protect through denial, anger and self blame.
When the journey is complete the reader may be surprised to have found insight and healing for himself and others.
January 31, 2016
A Ninth Child of Ten Comes of Age
As a first novel, this work is truly amazing. Julie Oleszek's skillful writing is able to evoke vivid images of young children at vigorous play, of older children struggling with issues at school, especially when troubled by traumatic life events, and finally the rebellious, resistant mind of the older teen in crisis. The work is beautifully written, and is engaging throughout. The author could have ended the story when Anne returned home for a visit and spent significant time with her mother, but she takes us through several more very satisfying encounters, leaving us both satisfied and hoping for future novels.
As a first novel, this work is truly amazing. Julie Oleszek's skillful writing is able to evoke vivid images of young children at vigorous play, of older children struggling with issues at school, especially when troubled by traumatic life events, and finally the rebellious, resistant mind of the older teen in crisis. The work is beautifully written, and is engaging throughout. The author could have ended the story when Anne returned home for a visit and spent significant time with her mother, but she takes us through several more very satisfying encounters, leaving us both satisfied and hoping for future novels.
January 18, 2016
Like others who have read and reviewed this book , I wonder how much is fact and how much is fiction. Maybe readers will never know , but the good thing is it written in a very believable style.
It is a very candid look at the misconceptions of a child and the impact of guilt on her life . I am a firm believer that " everyone has a story to tell " and this is a perfect example of how ones comes to their " story ", despite the fact that others know it may not be exactly correct.
Written in a heart-wrenching , though provoking way The Fifth Floor is an excellent debut novel.
It is a very candid look at the misconceptions of a child and the impact of guilt on her life . I am a firm believer that " everyone has a story to tell " and this is a perfect example of how ones comes to their " story ", despite the fact that others know it may not be exactly correct.
Written in a heart-wrenching , though provoking way The Fifth Floor is an excellent debut novel.
January 16, 2016
Moving
Do not usually do re views. Not because the books I read aren't good,but because is not a good writer. I grew up in a family of seven children and understand Anna's place among so many siblings. I also lost a sibling at a young age and felt the loss and responsibility. Anna's story and her recovery makes me feel life is good and precious. We will see our loved ones again and they are enjoying in Heaven all the things they did here on earth. Thank you Julie.
Do not usually do re views. Not because the books I read aren't good,but because is not a good writer. I grew up in a family of seven children and understand Anna's place among so many siblings. I also lost a sibling at a young age and felt the loss and responsibility. Anna's story and her recovery makes me feel life is good and precious. We will see our loved ones again and they are enjoying in Heaven all the things they did here on earth. Thank you Julie.
January 30, 2020
I found this to be an engrossing and gripping read despite the fact that it is told in the form of flashbacks and conversations rather than in a traditional beginning to end style. Because of this, it probably won't be for everyone as it does jump around a bit but personally I did find that this added to the feel and the overall message of the story as you worked through the events of Anna's life and what brought her to the Fifth Floor just as she does. Anna herself can be quite annoying at times, especially when she keeps battling against those that are trying to help her, but then this in itself is a big part of mental health issues as those who need the help most can't always accept it straight away. The supporting characters are also both loveable and hateable, which for me makes them all the more real as who in life is just one or the other?! I must say as a first novel, this dealt with complex issues while telling a good story well and made for a great read (I struggle to describe it as enjoyable given the subject matter) and I will definitely be looking out for the next installment.
September 22, 2020
With two daughters and a granddaughter who struggle with anxiety and depression, this book moved me deeply. Last year our granddaughter spent 5 days in a behavioral health unit after threatening to take her life. She is a high-functioning autistic, and ADHD further complicates her situation terribly. This book helped me feel how she maybe feels, think how she maybe thinks. It broke my heart many times to get an idea of how painful it is, both emotionally and physically.
For me to rate a book 5 stars requires that I CARE about the main character at least, and also care about others. I truly cared about MANY characters in this story, especially those who helped her get through her dark days.
I felt badly about how uninvolved her parents were, especially her dad, but I imagine there are other stories there! Also, with 10 kids, maybe several fall through the cracks? It's just hard for me to imagine a mom having no clue there was a problem.
When Anna started having headaches, I worried that she, too, was going to be diagnosed with brain cancer.
The best part for me was that she GOT THROUGH IT. Not only do I love a happy ending, this one gives me a bright ray of hope for our granddaughter.
For me to rate a book 5 stars requires that I CARE about the main character at least, and also care about others. I truly cared about MANY characters in this story, especially those who helped her get through her dark days.
I felt badly about how uninvolved her parents were, especially her dad, but I imagine there are other stories there! Also, with 10 kids, maybe several fall through the cracks? It's just hard for me to imagine a mom having no clue there was a problem.
When Anna started having headaches, I worried that she, too, was going to be diagnosed with brain cancer.
The best part for me was that she GOT THROUGH IT. Not only do I love a happy ending, this one gives me a bright ray of hope for our granddaughter.
Read
February 4, 2025Got to meet the author tonight during family book club zoom ! Memoir adjacent novel of a young woman experiencing horrible loss and the ripples through her and her family after. Piercing example of why it’s ** so** important to tell children the truth of what is happening in their lives even if it’s difficult
July 19, 2017
I did not enjoy this book at all. The plot was rushed and difficult to understand, the main character was horrible and was awful to read about. The supporting characters were weak and not realistic. And the way the subject matter of some of the sicknesses was handled in a very distasteful way. It was just hard to understand and not good.
January 15, 2016
A major disappointment. Too much of the story is summarized, rushed through and sort of indicated rather than felt. I think the author has a lot to say, but needed to slow down and develop the scenes and emotions more evocatively.
July 6, 2015
I liked this book. It is a story of family, love, loss and recovery.
Gripping and emotional.
Gripping and emotional.
November 1, 2015
From beginning to end, this book is amazing, and a must read. One I could not put down. What is more cool is...the author lives in my area! I would definitely recommend this book!
January 20, 2018
A sad but honest story of a young girl's loss of her sister and her pain, guilt, forgiveness and the beginning of her recovery.
I found The Fifth Floor engrossing and moving albeit sadly tragic. The author's account of her memory of experiencing such a devastating loss of her sister at a young age and the hopeful beginning of her recovery later in her life, rang truthful to me in all aspects. Anna, the main character, was born in the late 60s as the 9th of 10 children.
Growing up a daughter second from the youngest in a large family at the same time as the author, her descriptions led me to walk back in time visualizing the characters, recalling those types of mindsets and the varying situations with vivid memory. Sometimes the exact scenarios were played out in my own family and other times I could recall the family dynamics of other families I knew during the 70s. Sadly, I experienced loss of an infant sibling and young friends a couple of times in my childhood as well as witnessing my oldest brother's sudden serious illness and my parents approach to handling it all with a large young family.
This was a very fast, easy read and after the first 45 pages or so, I was hooked and wanted to read it straight through. I would expect this book to be appealing to all ages as younger persons may find the times of hushed, almost non-addressed happenings to be fascinating and unimaginable yet it existed. Middle-aged folks like me may experience the trip down memory lane as a child watching and learning from the dynamics while older folks may recall themselves or friends who had similar situations and could identify with Anna's parents' perspectives.
I grieved along with Anna. Please be prepared to shed tears multiple times in reading Anna's story. I believe this book would be a beautiful movie. I can't recall a storyline like this in that time frame with a child's perspective even in a fictional movie. I would love for moviegoers to benefit from the vulnerability and honesty of Anna's story.
I had many questions I wanted to ask the author and was beyond fortunate to be able to do so as Julie Oleszek attended our newly established book club. Many of my questions are addressed in her next two books which I immediately purchased while others she generously answered when asked. Further, Julie gave so much of herself and her time with vulnerability and honesty. She was also gracious in autographing all of our books. What a treat! Thank you so much for sharing your life with us, Julie Oleszek! I am very sorry you lost your sister and best friend and for all of the grief and suffering you experienced and likely continue to work through with your family.
I found The Fifth Floor engrossing and moving albeit sadly tragic. The author's account of her memory of experiencing such a devastating loss of her sister at a young age and the hopeful beginning of her recovery later in her life, rang truthful to me in all aspects. Anna, the main character, was born in the late 60s as the 9th of 10 children.
Growing up a daughter second from the youngest in a large family at the same time as the author, her descriptions led me to walk back in time visualizing the characters, recalling those types of mindsets and the varying situations with vivid memory. Sometimes the exact scenarios were played out in my own family and other times I could recall the family dynamics of other families I knew during the 70s. Sadly, I experienced loss of an infant sibling and young friends a couple of times in my childhood as well as witnessing my oldest brother's sudden serious illness and my parents approach to handling it all with a large young family.
This was a very fast, easy read and after the first 45 pages or so, I was hooked and wanted to read it straight through. I would expect this book to be appealing to all ages as younger persons may find the times of hushed, almost non-addressed happenings to be fascinating and unimaginable yet it existed. Middle-aged folks like me may experience the trip down memory lane as a child watching and learning from the dynamics while older folks may recall themselves or friends who had similar situations and could identify with Anna's parents' perspectives.
I grieved along with Anna. Please be prepared to shed tears multiple times in reading Anna's story. I believe this book would be a beautiful movie. I can't recall a storyline like this in that time frame with a child's perspective even in a fictional movie. I would love for moviegoers to benefit from the vulnerability and honesty of Anna's story.
I had many questions I wanted to ask the author and was beyond fortunate to be able to do so as Julie Oleszek attended our newly established book club. Many of my questions are addressed in her next two books which I immediately purchased while others she generously answered when asked. Further, Julie gave so much of herself and her time with vulnerability and honesty. She was also gracious in autographing all of our books. What a treat! Thank you so much for sharing your life with us, Julie Oleszek! I am very sorry you lost your sister and best friend and for all of the grief and suffering you experienced and likely continue to work through with your family.
August 7, 2017
Emotional Pain and Heartache with Eating Disorders.
Everyone deals with pain and guilt differently. But for one 7 year old who failed to catch her older sister when she fell from their backyard swing it becomes a disease. Not understanding what really happened to cause Liz to die weighs heavily on Anna till at 17 her mind and body break. Depression and nightmares have literally eaten her alive. She has slowly starved herself to 96lbs. After not eating for 20 days her mother takes her to a hospital. Hours later a psychiatrist has had her transferred to a special wing just for anorexics and children who are depressed and need help.
Anna fights the intervention every step. It takes being able to open up to the clinicians as well as the others in trouble. Not every relationship is perfect or provides you with what you need but as Anna learns you have to find yourself first. Forgive yourself and others. But do the demons and guilt ever go away? She still doesn't want to eat when she goes home. Will Anna be strong enough to survive Guilt?
Everyone deals with pain and guilt differently. But for one 7 year old who failed to catch her older sister when she fell from their backyard swing it becomes a disease. Not understanding what really happened to cause Liz to die weighs heavily on Anna till at 17 her mind and body break. Depression and nightmares have literally eaten her alive. She has slowly starved herself to 96lbs. After not eating for 20 days her mother takes her to a hospital. Hours later a psychiatrist has had her transferred to a special wing just for anorexics and children who are depressed and need help.
Anna fights the intervention every step. It takes being able to open up to the clinicians as well as the others in trouble. Not every relationship is perfect or provides you with what you need but as Anna learns you have to find yourself first. Forgive yourself and others. But do the demons and guilt ever go away? She still doesn't want to eat when she goes home. Will Anna be strong enough to survive Guilt?
February 10, 2018
This subject matter is right up my alley! This story was very interesting.
The book felt like a timeline of events, I was told what was happening in Anna's life but I never really lived it through Anna's eyes. I am told how Anna feels but never felt it. This made it hard for me to establish an emotional connection with Any na (who is going through some pretty heavy/emotional issues!). Perhaps the lack of emotion was intentional because Anna, who narrates the novel, finds her self on "the 5th floor" due to repressed memories and emotions...however, I wanted to be inside Anna's head not watching her from afar.
I am from and live in the same area that Anna lived! In fact, her dog was adopted from the same shelter my dog came from! Hinsdale Humane Society! This was a fun "easter egg" for me. But I wonder if the name of the shelter was lost to other readers, and perhaps the name could have been replaced with a better description of life in the Chicago 'burbs.
To wrap this up, The Fifth Floor by Julie Oleszek was definite an interesting and captivating read. I can only hope Julie's second book let's me feel more. Can't wait to check it out.
The book felt like a timeline of events, I was told what was happening in Anna's life but I never really lived it through Anna's eyes. I am told how Anna feels but never felt it. This made it hard for me to establish an emotional connection with Any na (who is going through some pretty heavy/emotional issues!). Perhaps the lack of emotion was intentional because Anna, who narrates the novel, finds her self on "the 5th floor" due to repressed memories and emotions...however, I wanted to be inside Anna's head not watching her from afar.
I am from and live in the same area that Anna lived! In fact, her dog was adopted from the same shelter my dog came from! Hinsdale Humane Society! This was a fun "easter egg" for me. But I wonder if the name of the shelter was lost to other readers, and perhaps the name could have been replaced with a better description of life in the Chicago 'burbs.
To wrap this up, The Fifth Floor by Julie Oleszek was definite an interesting and captivating read. I can only hope Julie's second book let's me feel more. Can't wait to check it out.
January 4, 2019
Are you ready to take a journey into the mind of a girl who suffered abandonment and guilt for nearly a decade before she finally healed? Are you ready to be privy her evolving thoughts as she shares her journey through eloquently written stream of consciousness writing? I took the journey and am so glad I did. I cried with her and rejoiced with her. Reading her story helped me understand why she felt unworthy of the help she needed and ultimately released all that tormented her soul. I have never read an author that took me on a personal journey at such an intimate level. In my opinion, this book is at the very least at the level of Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy. Julie Oleszek will take you on a compassionate journey that will change you and renew your faith in mankind. This book deserves to be on the Best Seller List. Read it from cover to cover to understand the destructiveness of abandonment and guilt, to witness a profound journey of healing, and be forever.
May 29, 2017
I loved this book. I won't summarize the story, as others have done that, but I will say that the characters are believable, and the feelings seem so real. There are lots of families where the children are not hugged and kissed regularly, but there is no doubt that they are loved. As the 9th of 10 children, Anna might be a little lost in the shuffle, and she may feel unimportant in the scheme of things, but she is cared for by her siblings and her parents. When she ends up on the "fifth floor", the psychiatric ward in a hospital, she has to work through the issues that brought her there, and find a way to recover from a devastating loss.
December 19, 2025
Totally Relatable
When I am going back and forth on whether or not to read a book, it is often the cover art that sways me to choose to read it. Something about this cover seemed haunting and it pulled me in.
Having actually spent 90 days on the fifth floor of a VA hospital in Portland, Oregon (mental health unit) , I found this book to be a wonderful reminder of how far I have come in recovering from a childhood trauma.
If you or a friend or relative have had mental health issues then read this book. It is good to know about all the time and effort these nurses, therapists, and doctors put into helping the people with trauma survive and recover.
When I am going back and forth on whether or not to read a book, it is often the cover art that sways me to choose to read it. Something about this cover seemed haunting and it pulled me in.
Having actually spent 90 days on the fifth floor of a VA hospital in Portland, Oregon (mental health unit) , I found this book to be a wonderful reminder of how far I have come in recovering from a childhood trauma.
If you or a friend or relative have had mental health issues then read this book. It is good to know about all the time and effort these nurses, therapists, and doctors put into helping the people with trauma survive and recover.
July 5, 2017
The author has written the novel in such a way that from the very beginning the reader feels very connected to Anna and her feelings and her family. It's flawlessly described, each and every part feels like it's happening to you.
This excellent book was a joy to read, because the writing was superb. The topic was not joyful, but it was fascinating.
I greatly appreciated all of the truthfulness as to what it's like to be in the hospital.
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.
This excellent book was a joy to read, because the writing was superb. The topic was not joyful, but it was fascinating.
I greatly appreciated all of the truthfulness as to what it's like to be in the hospital.
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2017
Heartbreaking and inspiring
This young girl is left so confused after her sister dies from a medical condition. She feels as if it is her fault, the grief and guilt soon start to becoming overwhelming. The pain that she goes through would make anyone hurt. From losing her beloved sister suddenly, to eventually being put into the hospital so that she could work through the issues you see the young girls issues as they come to light and she finally begins to understand everything that happened.
This young girl is left so confused after her sister dies from a medical condition. She feels as if it is her fault, the grief and guilt soon start to becoming overwhelming. The pain that she goes through would make anyone hurt. From losing her beloved sister suddenly, to eventually being put into the hospital so that she could work through the issues you see the young girls issues as they come to light and she finally begins to understand everything that happened.
December 21, 2018
This book conquers all the feelings of loss and trauma and despair. The story was hard to get through purely for personal feelings so relatable to the main character Ana. Ana is 17 and has to come to terms with her grief at some point, by the time she checks out of the fifth floor she learns not only who she is but the events of her childhood have impacted herself and her family. It's truly an eye opening novel about grief, depression, and overcoming loss. But then again, each reader may find a different story between these pages.
February 13, 2019
first read
I chose the book at random, not knowing the theme or author. I am a bereaved mother, having lost a son in an accident. The impact of this loss profoundly affected all of us,his family, and particularly his brother. I am also a nurse and was drawn to the role of the mh staff in the story. This was such a beautiful book to read. Clear language, well written, a message to be found as long as the reader's mind and heart are open to receive. I will recommend to family and friends. thank you.
I chose the book at random, not knowing the theme or author. I am a bereaved mother, having lost a son in an accident. The impact of this loss profoundly affected all of us,his family, and particularly his brother. I am also a nurse and was drawn to the role of the mh staff in the story. This was such a beautiful book to read. Clear language, well written, a message to be found as long as the reader's mind and heart are open to receive. I will recommend to family and friends. thank you.
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