I felt like I should read this book a long time ago, since I'm supposed to be interested in everything having to do with psychology. But I just couldn't get into it the first times I tried. I mean, I never actually opened the book, I just stared at the cover and sighed to myself. I tried watching the movie too a couple times, and it didn't resonate after the first five minutes.
But then, I gave the movie one last shot, and it was amazing. The story centers on Susana Kaysen and Lisa, a sociopath who is the catalyst for most of the trouble at the mental hospital. THe movie is very character-driven, and we get to know a few of the patients in depth.
After watching the movie, I had to read the book. And I loved it even more, although the two were different in a lot of ways.
The book is full of short, memorable anecdotes that give you a bigger picture of life in a mental hospital, but doesn't give a clear story. I wouldn't expect one since the book is autobiographical. I was never bored, and I finished almost n one night, but I had to put the book down and sleep.
The book asks what it means to be mad. Are we mad? We have delusions that our bodies are too fat, we're paranoid that people wouldn't love us unless we're skinny. We hallucinate giant stomachs and thundering thighs.
But mostly we can see reason. We're not dangerous to anyone else. So are we crazy then?
I don't think I am.
I absolutely loves that movie and I need to add the book to my reading list. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is great too.
ReplyDeleteCrazy. Him. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result so I guess we go from there. Xx
I have never seen the movie, but I've read the book a few times. I loved it, if for nothing other than the psychological point of it.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone is crazy in their own way, but that doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing. Xx
I love both the book and the movie. I find the movie really over-dramatizes it, but that's to be expected I guess. Either way, I really enjoy the story.
ReplyDeleteWell, maybe we are crazy. I think it depends on your definition of the word. I certainly don't think eating disorders make us the most mentally stable of people ;)
xx
I really love that movie! Personally when I'm deep rooted in my eating disorder I am made I do stupid crap that is really like a different personality for me. I think that everyone has there crazy spurts if that makes sense as for the eating disorder it makes me crazy but I can completely reason so thats a hard question which I am giving a crappy answer to!
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