Just Like Someone Without Mental Illness Only More So (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
If there is a sub-genre of memoir composed to the first-hand reports of people who have suffered from and recovered from mental illness, I've not seen much of it. Mark Vonnegut, a pediatrician and the son of author Kurt Vonnegut, reports on his life with bipolar affective disorder (manic depression) in a moving, informative and engaging way. He demonstrates considerable skill as a writer, 'tho not in the same caste as his much-more-famous father. Some readers, more accustomed to a seriatim report of what happened next, will likely be put off by the episodic patchwork of this book. Reading it is more like looking at a large collection of paintings or sculptures or photographs by one artist and then deriving meaning from the overall impression. Perhaps the most interesting question raised by this book is that of the bounds of normalcy. Following the directions of a street sign is normal; receiving messages from license plates is not. But what of the person who hears a piece of music and is strongly moved to perform some act? The precise delineation of normalcy may be more theoretical than real. Readers who seek a better understanding of Kurt Vonnegut by reading his son will likely be disappointed. Those who read Mark Vonnegut's book to learn more about the art and science of the mind will be intrigued. I was. My spouse handed me this after she finished it, knowing it was right up my alley, so to speak. I remember having greatly enjoyed Vonnegut's first book (The Eden Express) way back when, so she didn't have to sell me on it at all, I just obediently opened it and started reading. Even if you haven't struggled with any mental illness, I think you could appreciate his story. His prose is understated and funny in a casual way. I'd be lying if I said that the sideways close-up of his father, Kurt Vonnegut, wasn't very intriguing to me, but it really isn't the main reason to read this book. It is quite good apart from that (and, after having read it, perhaps in spite of that).
What do You think about Just Like Someone Without Mental Illness Only More So (2010)?
Good book about mental health disease and how it affected Kurt Vonnegut's son Mark - a pediatrician.
—Kande46
As someone that works in the medical field. I wish more docs had his humility and sense of humor.
—Emma
I enjoyed this. Mark is clever and he does his best to do the candid work and I liked it.
—brainstorming
and here is my more, currently still reading this.
—Jbrown
