Author: Lisa Genova
Publisher: Gallery Books
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Format: Kindle ARC
No. of Pages: 256
Date of Publication: January 14, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars
DESCRIPTION:
Maddy Banks is just like any other stressed-out freshman at NYU. Between schoolwork, exams, navigating life in the city, and a recent breakup, it’s normal to be feeling overwhelmed. It doesn’t help that she’s always felt like the odd one out in her picture-perfect Connecticut family. But Maddy’s latest low is devastatingly low, and she goes on an antidepressant. She begins to feel good, dazzling in fact, and she soon spirals high into a wild and terrifying mania that culminates in a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
As she struggles to find her way in this new reality, navigating the complex effects bipolar has on her identity, her relationships, and her life dreams, Maddy will have to figure out how to manage being both too much and not enough.
With her signature “deep empathy and insight” (Booklist), Harvard-trained neuroscientist and New York Times bestselling author Lisa Genova has crafted another profoundly moving novel that makes complicated mental health issues accessible and human. More or Less Maddy is destined to become another classic like Still Alice.
MY REVIEW:
TW: Mental illness
Self-harm
More or Less Maddy, a captivating and well-crafted novel by neuroscientist Lisa Genova, delves into the complexities of neurological disorders through fictional narratives. This approach is ingenious because it offers support and understanding, making it accessible beyond the confines of dense textbooks. Genova’s exploration of a young woman’s journey with bipolar disorder and her coping mechanisms is particularly poignant. The portrayal of family dynamics and the support system that emerges for this young individual adds depth and emotional resonance to the story.
Beyond her medical expertise, Genova draws from the experiences of individuals living with bipolar disorder and collaborates with other healthcare professionals to enrich her portrayal. The acknowledgments at the end of the book reveal the extent to which she meticulously researched and incorporated valuable information to convey the diverse experiences of people with bipolar disorder.
Before delving into Maddy’s personal journey, I would like to highlight Genova’s other works that explore various neurological conditions. Her books on Alzheimer’s, brain injury, autism, Huntington’s disease, and ALS are must-reads for anyone interested in understanding these complex disorders. Genova’s commitment to providing accurate and compassionate portrayals of these conditions is truly commendable.
Now, let’s turn to my review of Maddy’s experiences in the novel. Maddy Banks, a 19-year-old college student at NYU, finds herself adrift, struggling to find her place in the world. Her academic performance is faltering, and she yearns for a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Amidst this uncertainty, she reconnects with old friends who invite her to a comedy club. This unexpected encounter proves to be a pivotal moment in Maddy’s life, leading her to discover a hidden talent and a path to self-discovery.
But that avenue was not immediately traveled for Maddy. As the novel truly unfolds, we discover that Maddy is grappling with profound struggles. She is in the early stages of barely recognizing an imbalance within herself, manifesting in a form of self-harm that she initially concealed from her family and boyfriend.
During this period, before Maddy’s diagnosis and the subsequent treatments, there were setbacks, failures, and the stigma often associated with mental illness. However, the ultimate objective was to establish a stable foundation for Maddy’s well-being.
Throughout the novel, Maddy undergoes significant transformations, as do her family members. I highly recommend taking the time to read this book. Even if it doesn’t directly resonate with you, it could be relevant to a family member or a close friend who may be struggling with a similar illness. Personally, I believe this book has the potential to broaden our compassion for individuals like Maddy.
As someone who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, even as a woman in my 60s, I found numerous parallels between Maddy’s experiences and my own. Although Maddie was decades younger than me, her journey has provided me with valuable tools that have been instrumental in my own life. Kudos to Lisa Genova for crafting yet another exceptional book that has the potential to touch the lives of many readers.
Many thanks to Gallery Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Lisa Genova graduated valedictorian, summa cum laude from Bates College with a degree in Biopsychology and has a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Harvard University.
Acclaimed as the Oliver Sacks of fiction and the Michael Crichton of brain science, Lisa has captured a special place in contemporary fiction, writing stories that are equally inspired by neuroscience and the human spirit. She is the New York Times bestselling author of the novels STILL ALICE, LEFT NEGLECTED, LOVE ANTHONY, INSIDE THE O'BRIENS, and EVERY NOTE PLAYED.
Her first work of nonfiction, REMEMBER: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting, published March 2021, was an instant New York Times bestseller.
STILL ALICE was adapted into a film starring Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth and
Hunter Parrish. Julianne Moore won the 2015 Best Actress Oscar for her role as Alice Howland. Film adaptations for INSIDE THE O'BRIENS and EVERY NOTE PLAYED are in development.
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