Book talk: Caden is a brilliant student. He is well-liked by his peers and part of a loving family. But Caden is increasingly convinced that he is on a dangerous trip to the Marianas Trench with a crew that's threatening to mutiny. He is struggling to keep track of reality, but the choppy waters of his illness keep pulling him under. When he makes it to the surface, he gets glimpses of failed medication and looks of shame, pity, and disappointment. When he sinks into his delusions he's at the center of a conflict between the captain and crew as he documents their journey through his art. He is conflicted and fighting and exhausted, but giving up would mean losing everything.
Rave: An excellent book on schizophrenia. The way the narrative switches between reality and life on the ship keeps the reader off balance and provides a glimpse into the mind of someone who has schizophrenia. This is a book that really stays with you. For those who suffer from any mental illness there's many things to identify with from the struggle to find an effective treatment to the puzzle in the hospital missing a dang piece. For those who have never had a mental illness, it's an illuminating glimpse into that experience that will foster empathy. I can't recommend it highly enough.
Every book its reader: It's certainly not a fast-paced action thriller, but for those who enjoy character studies and those who suffer from mental illness themselves, this book is an unforgettable experience.
Topics and Trends: Schizophrenia, mental illness, character-focused, building empathy
Extras:
Bonus quotes:
“And when the abyss looks into you - and it will - may you look back unflinching.”
“You see demons in the eyes of the world, and the world sees a bottomless pit in yours.”
“They all think medicine should be magic, and they become mad at me when it's not.”
“Don Quixote - the famous literary madman - fought windmills. People think he saw giants when he looked at them, but those of us who've been there know the truth. He saw windmills, just like everyone else - but he believed they were giants. The scariest thing of all is never knowing what you're suddenly going to believe.”
“I feel her wave of worry like a patio heater - faint and ineffective, but constant.”
Source: public library
Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman: buy it or check it out today!
No comments:
Post a Comment