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Cat Goddess Freyja (16 KP) rated We Have Always Lived in the Castle in Books
Dec 5, 2018
Beware of the Sugar Bowl
This is a great book! I read it in one of my college lit classes, and fell in love with Shirley Jackson's writing. I can't give a review without spoiling this whole book but it is so worth the read. It deals a lot with mental illness and the affects of a society on outcasts.
Such a good book! Mental illness can be a very touchy subject and I feel like Nicola handled it with grace and opened the reader's eyes to being on the inside. The pacing is perfect, not feeling rushed like some romances can. All of the characters are perfectly crafted, their flaws making them even more relatable and harder to let go of at the end. Fantastically written!
Erika (17788 KP) rated Silver Linings Playbook (2012) in Movies
Mar 9, 2018 (Updated Mar 9, 2018)
This movie did not impress me at all, and JLaw definitely didn't deserve the Oscar for this cluster (she should have won for Winter's Bone). The portrayal of mental illness was shiesty, in my opinion. Bradley Cooper was ok, but not his best.
Writing this has reminded me that I need to toss the dvd in my sell pile to go to half price books.
Writing this has reminded me that I need to toss the dvd in my sell pile to go to half price books.
Jonathan Caouette recommended A Woman Under the Influence (1975) in Movies (curated)
Paula Ruter (2 KP) rated Sword and Scale in Podcasts
May 30, 2018
I used to be a fan of this podcast when I first started listening to podcasts. Unfortunately, I believe the quality has gone downhill. There are too many requests for donations via Patreon. The host has a biased opinion of mental illness. And although one expects a certain level of disturbing information when listening to a true crime podcast, the host seems to find gratification in including the most graphic clips possible.
Jennifer Weiner recommended It's Not All Downhill From Here in Books (curated)
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated All the Bright Places in Books
Feb 8, 2018
Theodore is a quirky teen whose life has been troubled by sadness. His parents are divorced and Theo's recent past has been marked by dark patches, what he thinks of as a deep sleep, where he zones out from depression and sadness. He finds himself thinking often of suicide. One day, while on the ledge of their school's Bell Tower, Theo comes across Violet. Violet's life has changed drastically since the death of her older sister in a car accident. She's not so sure about life lately, either. So Theo lets everyone at school think Violet "saved" him on that Tower, when it's really him who talks her down. The two form an unlikely friendship and embark on a school project, documenting the "natural wonders" of their home state of Indiana. But do Violet and Finch realize the sadness each is dealing with?
Oh how I wanted to like this book. I'd heard so many good things about it, and it was compared to [b:Eleanor & Park|15745753|Eleanor & Park|Rainbow Rowell|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1341952742s/15745753.jpg|17225055], which I adore. But whereas Eleanor and Park each felt so real, these characters didn't always come across as true, versus caricatures. I did find myself caring, often deeply, for Violet, and I liked Finch, but he changed his personality types so often -- it was hard to relate to his character. I'm glad the book covered the topic of mental illness, but its portrayal was odd sometimes. I almost worry that it glorified mental illness and suicidal thoughts somehow (hard to explain without too many spoilers).
Also, Theo and Violet seem to fall for each other awfully quickly. Why does this happen so often in YA novels? Am I just a jaded adult now (entirely possible)? Also a huge issue - where are the freaking adults in this book, and why don't they help Violet and Finch? Kids and teens shouldn't feel that mental illness is something they need to deal with alone. I also think truly portraying Finch's "deep sleep" and how that affected him could have done wonders for showing the effects and ills of mental illness on teens.
Overall, this book certainly had its lovely moments. Violet and Finch are touching characters in many ways. As I said, I really liked Violet - her character really grows on you. Niven's writing is beautiful at times, and the teens' school project is an interesting touch. This was also hard for me to read, having experienced mental illness and suicide in my family. I think it was worth reading, but it didn't completely live up to my expectations.
Oh how I wanted to like this book. I'd heard so many good things about it, and it was compared to [b:Eleanor & Park|15745753|Eleanor & Park|Rainbow Rowell|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1341952742s/15745753.jpg|17225055], which I adore. But whereas Eleanor and Park each felt so real, these characters didn't always come across as true, versus caricatures. I did find myself caring, often deeply, for Violet, and I liked Finch, but he changed his personality types so often -- it was hard to relate to his character. I'm glad the book covered the topic of mental illness, but its portrayal was odd sometimes. I almost worry that it glorified mental illness and suicidal thoughts somehow (hard to explain without too many spoilers).
Also, Theo and Violet seem to fall for each other awfully quickly. Why does this happen so often in YA novels? Am I just a jaded adult now (entirely possible)? Also a huge issue - where are the freaking adults in this book, and why don't they help Violet and Finch? Kids and teens shouldn't feel that mental illness is something they need to deal with alone. I also think truly portraying Finch's "deep sleep" and how that affected him could have done wonders for showing the effects and ills of mental illness on teens.
Overall, this book certainly had its lovely moments. Violet and Finch are touching characters in many ways. As I said, I really liked Violet - her character really grows on you. Niven's writing is beautiful at times, and the teens' school project is an interesting touch. This was also hard for me to read, having experienced mental illness and suicide in my family. I think it was worth reading, but it didn't completely live up to my expectations.
Chrissie-ann (78 KP) rated I will not kill myself, Olivia in Books
Jun 19, 2018
Raw, emotional, outstanding
From the second I started this book I couldn't put it down, what an emotional rollercoaster of a book. Following the story of a man's journey with mental illness and his romantic relationship with his first love.
I fell in love with the characters, I felt their pain, their joy and their love. I cried, alot, happiness and sadness. This book was written with so much insight and knowledge showing the reality of mental health issues and the impact on the individual their lives and their relationships. Danny baker is an author I admire and who can really create an intense and a read that you just can't put down.
I fell in love with the characters, I felt their pain, their joy and their love. I cried, alot, happiness and sadness. This book was written with so much insight and knowledge showing the reality of mental health issues and the impact on the individual their lives and their relationships. Danny baker is an author I admire and who can really create an intense and a read that you just can't put down.
QuietlyBookish (65 KP) rated Turtles All The Way Down in Books
Nov 2, 2017
Plot (5 more)
Characters
Dialogue
Fandom Representation
Use of Fanfiction
Honest Portrayal of Mental Health Issues
This book blew me away, I honestly wasn't sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised. The way John Green portrayed mental health was brutally honest. It was hard to read at some points but it was refreshing not to have a YA book romanticize mental illness but instead to show it from all sides: the way it affects familial relationships; the way it affects friendships; the way it affects romantic relationships and how easy and scary it is when your thoughts spiral out of control.
I loved reading about Aza and how she navigates through her friendships, new relationships and dealing with OCD. I have so much respect for John Green after reading this. It was very well done, and the Star Wars references were an added bonus!
I loved reading about Aza and how she navigates through her friendships, new relationships and dealing with OCD. I have so much respect for John Green after reading this. It was very well done, and the Star Wars references were an added bonus!
Otway93 (567 KP) rated Joker (2019) in Movies
Nov 16, 2019
Portrayal of Mental Illness (4 more)
Acting
Story
Shocking
Keeps you guessing...
A highly important film for several reasons.
What can I say about Joker? After weeks of building myself up to see this film, I certainly didn't put on a happy face. It was not a happy film in the slightest, but it was certainly one of the best, if not the best DC film ever made.
Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of Joker was superb, emotional and shocking, his performance always keeps you on the edge of your seat. It isn't often somebody can portray so well the shift from ordinary if troubled man, to Joker.
His portrayal of mental illness is astounding, and quite shocking, and for the most part of the film, you are on his side...I shall say no more on that matter.
Overall, feel free to build up the hype in your mind, because you will not be disappointed!
P.S. For those that know the original Joker well, this film will certainly keep you guessing and wondering...
Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of Joker was superb, emotional and shocking, his performance always keeps you on the edge of your seat. It isn't often somebody can portray so well the shift from ordinary if troubled man, to Joker.
His portrayal of mental illness is astounding, and quite shocking, and for the most part of the film, you are on his side...I shall say no more on that matter.
Overall, feel free to build up the hype in your mind, because you will not be disappointed!
P.S. For those that know the original Joker well, this film will certainly keep you guessing and wondering...