Allie’s
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(group member since Feb 02, 2018)
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!Looking forward to some more discussions with you all this year.
1) Make sure to answer the questions to Brain on Fire (I know y'all read it!)
2) The book selection for March is The Trip to Echo Spring by Olivia Laing and Adam will be our discussion leader.
Happy reading and let me know if you have any questions!
Best,
Allie
1) I thought their relationship was a little forced at first, as though it accelerated at a rapid pace for what they really knew of each other, but I did enjoy their dynamics for sure. They seemed to complement one another in their personalities. 2) Definitely the guy alone. I like the analogy though as it's another piece of artwork (he's already named after a famous painter!)
3) This was the first book I've read by Michael Connelly so I have to say that it went by rather quickly. I do think it stands alone and is easy to digest so I would be open to reading others in this series or other books by him!
4) I don't think it impacts his ability or mental capacity to resolve a case, but if anything he could only get better with more sleep!
Hi all! Here is the new line up. Currently, I'm seeing if Kali wants to choose our book for the December 2018 discussion but after her this is the line up of who gets to pick!
Cynthia
Jamie
Sean
Carmel
Adam
Amoura
CBM
Tim
Tony
Autumn
Nadia
Kitty
Jo
Maria
Matilde
Michele
Laureen
Hillary
Mollie
Darlene
Samantha
Jess
Monica
Kai
Allie
Manny
Peter
Mak
Andy
Andy has chosen The Black Echo by Michael Connelly. Happy reading!
1) I learned later on in his career that he wasn't always a family-appropriate comedian and I remember the fact surprising me at the time. I was still surprised to read about some of his work, humor, and habits in this biography. My generation grew up with him largely being the ultimate of kid comics in films Aladdin, Ferngully, Flubber and Hook so to learn more about the man and his behaviors (drugs, adultery, etc.) fleshes him out more as a human instead of the caricature that I perhaps knew him as before. 2) While I found the background family information interesting, I still saw Robin as his own person very much. Instead of explaining where he got certain traits from, I think the text does a good job of explaining where some of his reactions may have come from (he was alone and wanted approval, so always acting out and being funny and needing to be loved, etc.)
3) I 100% believe that the best way to survive tragedy and depression is through humor, no matter how dark.
7) I often think that maybe one can't become an "ex-addict" per se. That what they are addicted to just takes the form of something healthier or different (religion, coffee, exercise, etc.) Most of us are addicted to something and I think running from it and relapsing back into it is inescapable in some ways.
8) I think he was in his right mind. Based on his fear of losing what's funny and how audiences/peers would perceive him, I think it was a very real fear to him. How he would function and be received under such a handicap probably drove him towards his decision to end his life. You see other actors struggle after critical diagnoses (think Michael J. Fox) and I don't think Robin ever wanted his bright star to burn out completely.
9) More than anything, I think the spirit of his film roles and that he brought to the public really impacted me and resonated with me growing up. He once visited the camp I went to for children with life-threatening diseases and, even though I wasn't there during his visit, I heard a great story about his interaction with the kids. One little girl said she wanted to be a ballerina if/when she grew up and he joyously said, "Why wait?! Let's start now!" and played with her. It's that kind of spirit he brings to films like Good Morning, Vietnam and the Dead Poets Society among so many others. He seemed, at least to me, to be unlike any other. And I know that Hook is my personal go to even now as an adult. What a great reminder of what actually matters in life.
Still reading and enjoying the book, but one thing occurred to me the other day. With several mental illness diagnoses, a person dealing with an affliction can recognize and empathize with another person with the same affliction (depression, bipolar, etc.) With schizophrenia however, this may not be possible since those afflicted are so out of touch with reality from the "ununderstandable" they may not recognize a similar soul.
Good morning, all! Today is the day to start posting about Madness and Modernism! I'm still reading through it, but enjoying the keen observations that Louis Sass is making. Can't wait to hear what others thought of it as well! Thank you for the selection and for posting questions, Peter.
For June, Mak has selected Robin by Dave Itzkoff. I for one am interested to read more about the man who made so many of us laugh and the secret trials he may have gone through.
Happy reading, Damage members!
Allie
Firegirl by Tony Abbott
Madness by Sam Sax
Madness by Sam Sax
Have Dog, Will Travel by Stephen Kuusisto
Hi all,I found this to be a really interesting read and am glad that Jaime Lowe let us see a bit of her world and that she presented it with such candor. What primarily spoke to me about this book was that I have an ex with bipolar disorder. He shared a lot of Jaime's attributes (larger than life personality, unique attire, impulses such as drunkenly screaming from the theater stage after hours while naked, etc.). He would write furiously for several nights in a row without sleep and when he swung towards the depressive side he simply stayed in and avoided the world. Because of him (and some very minor interactions with others) I assumed I had a good grasp on what this illness looked like. I was wrong. I later encountered another man who was hallucinating (hearing/seeing), hyperverbal, paranoid, and just plain out of it. His diagnosis said "bipolar disorder" but I didn't possibly think that could be accurate. After a few chapters of Lowe's book, I realized that this disorder actually could fit his behavior. I didn't realize that the lack of sleep could cause a lot of these issues (not necessarily the underlying diagnosis). So to answer question#5- I learned that even though I repeatedly promote the idea that disability is not a monolithic experience, I actually had been guilty of treating certain disorders as such. I will take away from this book the idea that each person's experience with an illness can look completely different.
2) I think her restlessness, need for adventure, and love of unique music/clothes/etc. are all Jaime. A lot of times, I feel that certain mental disorders magnify who a person already is instead of making them someone they are not. Impulse control is a big issue with these kinds of diagnoses so it is hard to tell what Jaime would have said or done eventually or what she would not have, but I think she'd be a colorful character either way!
3) I do not feel that people with mental illnesses (or bipolar) should be or feel obligated to tell those around them (except for where absolutely mandated by an outside source). I also feel that if they are asked point blank about a diagnosis, they should not lie but should be honest. There are so many valid (but unfortunate reasons) why people hide their mental illness that I think taking away their choice to divulge or not would be wrong. I do think it would be a keen idea to make medical bracelets that list their disorder and that they could purchase if they wanted to (maybe this already exists?) And I do think it's highly beneficial for those with mental illnesses such as Jaime's to reveal to those closest to them (family, close friends, significant others) their issues so that they get the best possible help when it's needed and so that there is a better understanding.
Enjoyed this read!
Allie
It came to my attention that some of our members are running into highly fascinating stories about damage or disability in the real world and I wanted to create a space where everyone can share these links, articles, videos, facts, etc. Please be sure you have watched or read the content 100% of the way through before posting. This can generate good discussion as well, but please remember to be respectful of others and their opinions!
The Steadfast Tin Soldier by Hans Christian Andersen
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
Jo! That sounds like a fascinating book and I hope we get to cover it in this group!
Peter! You're up next. Do you have a selection for our April book? Please post it to the group if so! Looking forward to seeing what you choose.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Ahh. I remember now! My guess was ADD/ADHD, but you're right, I'd like to hear his story!
