Ambitious New York City teenager Craig Gilner is determined to succeed at life - which means getting into the right high school to get into the right college to get the right job. But once Craig aces his way into Manhattan's Executive Pre-Professional High School, the pressure becomes unbearable. He stops eating and sleeping until, one night, he nearly kills himself.
Craig's suicidal episode gets him checked into a mental hospital, where his new neighbors include a transsexual sex addict, a girl who has scarred her own face with scissors, and the self-elected President Armelio. There, Craig is finally able to confront the sources of his anxiety.
Book Review:
Going in to this book I was expecting a valid portrayal of mental illness because I knew that Vizzini suffered from mental illness himself. I was not wrong. I suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I have yet to really pinpoint the exact triggers or how to cope in certain situations but I feel that I am in a good place, not that I have every been in as bad of a place as our main character, Craig. I was really happy with the mental conflicts within Craig. I loved the backstory, where we learn how his illness developed.
Vizzini's writing style is incomparable to anyone else. I have yet to read a story with a character suffering, at this extent, from mental illness, that is so raw and emotionally draining and impactful. It really was just an amazing read.
Pages: 444 Rate: 5/5
Book Discussion: SPOILERS!!!
The friendships that Craig had before admitting himself into the hospital, in my opinion, were his greatest downfall. He thought that he was in love or at least had the biggest crush on his best friends girlfriend. His best friend barely had parents and threw parties and did drugs all of the time. Yes, all of these people were smart, but sometimes, intellectual abilities don't make the best people.
The friendships that he made in the hospital, though strange and probably not life long, were good for him. They allowed him to heal. He was able to face his "tentacles," find his "anchor," and finally eat without being sick. That may be because of the environment and the being back on his medications, but either way, he was able to manage his mental illness, which is all that you can do.
His family was also really sweet. His mother was a little overbearing. His father was a bit cynical. They both really loved him though and really would do anything to help him. His little sister was great. I loved that relationship. They knew each other so well
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