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A review by synnereads
An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness by Kay Redfield Jamison
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
3.5
I started school last week, and as a result I have once again been inspired by my lecturers to read psychology memoirs:)
I've wanted to read a memoir that centers bipolar disorder for a while, and was very happy when I came across this one.
An Unquiet Mind is a short, well-written, brave and wise memoir. I have a deep respect for Jamison and her openness about the things she has endured, and find her perseverance and achievements inspiring.
However, I wish the book had been longer.
The audiobook is less than three hours long, and I do think the book would have been more impactful, had it been longer.
For example, when she tells us about moving to Scotland, it's something along the lines of "I spent a year abroad in St. Andrews and had a wonderful year, and after that...". Like, waaaait, I want to hear more about St. Andrews!!
I did unfortunately get this feeling several times while reading. I wanted the book to go deeper at certain points, and there was perhaps a bit too much telling instead of showing.
What I appreciated most about this memoir was its depiction of how seductive mania can be, and how you can long for the moods. Her reasons for initially refusing to take medication was also interesting.
Well worth a read, but there are other memoirs about mental illness that I would recommend more.
I've wanted to read a memoir that centers bipolar disorder for a while, and was very happy when I came across this one.
An Unquiet Mind is a short, well-written, brave and wise memoir. I have a deep respect for Jamison and her openness about the things she has endured, and find her perseverance and achievements inspiring.
However, I wish the book had been longer.
The audiobook is less than three hours long, and I do think the book would have been more impactful, had it been longer.
For example, when she tells us about moving to Scotland, it's something along the lines of "I spent a year abroad in St. Andrews and had a wonderful year, and after that...". Like, waaaait, I want to hear more about St. Andrews!!
I did unfortunately get this feeling several times while reading. I wanted the book to go deeper at certain points, and there was perhaps a bit too much telling instead of showing.
What I appreciated most about this memoir was its depiction of how seductive mania can be, and how you can long for the moods. Her reasons for initially refusing to take medication was also interesting.
Well worth a read, but there are other memoirs about mental illness that I would recommend more.