Rating: 
Summary: Disturbing in all the right ways
Review: When I picked up this book, I asked myself, "Do I really want to hear about a suicidal person?"Well, I jumped in, and the answer is yes! This is a highly affecting and unique book, about people in a mental ward. It's structured a bit like a novel, rather than a slice of a real life, but the great writing style and unembellished characters make it all the better. The girl with an obsession about laxatives and chicken is my sister's favorite. I'm not entirely certain what "Borderline Personality" means, but I don't really need to. It sort of is clear from the book itself. This is funny, disturbingly precious, full of the kind of warped insanity that many, many people feel during their lives. Before any judgements are made about people with personality disorders, they should read this book to see inside their minds.
Rating: 
Summary: Madness Takes Its Toll-Please Use Exact Change
Review: As with most movies, there is a good book lurking somewhere in its past. And "Girl, Interrupted", is no exception. Author and central character of this mesmerizing memoir, Susanna Kaysen, gives us a well defined exacting profile of near madness. Tweny-five years after placing herself under the watchful eyes of her "keepers" at Mc Lean Hospital for psychiatric treatment, Kaysen reveals her two year stay in the teenage ward back in the late 60's. A time itself of diagnosed disturbance. Richly portrayed characterzations of her fellow "inmates" and their doctors vividly depict everything from suicide, medications, the meaning of a crazed life, and harrowing journies to recovery. I truly enjoyed this 168 page book. Possibly more so due to the fact that I, myself, can say--"been there, done that, bought the T-shirt." And agree, the interruption is not my life, it just may be those mannerless people around me. Thank you for your interest & comments--CDS
Rating:
Summary: Girl, Fascinating
Review: Once I began to read this book I couldn't put it down, the vivid way that she explained the emotions that she felt being forced into the institution, really touched me and stirred things up inside me that made me ask questions of myself that I had never given consideration before. I also like the way she incorporated her actual records into the book and the breakdown she did of her "disease". This book also made me question the true nature of madness and the different diaganoses given out by psychologists.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, Poetic.
Review: After Susanna Kaysen is sent to a mental hospital in 1968, at age 18, she begins to "vent." The entire book is her outlook on the hospital, giving the reader an image of what the hospital is like. There sometimes seems to be no real plot, that she is doing nothing but putting her feelings onto paper, but that what makes it so beautiful... so poetic. She vividly defines the group of odd characters, bringing then to life. This is one of the most enjoyable books I have ever read.
Rating:
Summary: great book
Review: the book is not that organized but it shows reallly well how she felt and she described things very well. it was really differnt from the movie. but i think the book was better and it made me kept on reading. it is really a great book.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully written, almost frightening
Review: I wanted to write a review for this book a while ago, but could never put my thoughts to words. It's such a bizarre idea; a girl is proven insane in 20 minutes, then spends the next two years inside a building worse than prison. Kaysen writes about the people, events, and way of life within the cement walls. And for the most part, she tells it as a sane person. The book, at no point is a 'beginning to end' tale. It jumps around, telling a new portion of the story at each chapter. In chapter 9, a friend will be talked about, but in chapter 10, the friend hasn't yet come to the hospital. This can be confusing at times, but is figured out soon enough. The novel (although short) forces you into the thought pattern of the insane. Everything is told in plain English so there is no confusion going from the average live into the twisted world she writes about. All the characters are naturally interesting, without the specific quirks many authors add to cover the missing personality. The hardest thing to see is that every person and event mentioned is real. It plays so much like a fiction, the reader begins to believe that's what it is. But on top of the wonderful stories, Kaysen also tries her hand at psychology. She explains conscience, memory and the entire mind with the same interest and writing technique as she uses to write the rest of the book. This specific part could have easily been the downfall of the entire book, but the way she wrote it made it the most readable section. The four stars are for the lack of order. I spent the first three chapters wondering what exactly was going on. However, with that aside, it is still an excellent read. There is some dark language but it is inevitable. In this rare case it actually adds to the story. If you can get past that, pick it up.
Rating:
Summary: Deeply Powerful and Honest
Review: Author Susanna Kaysen lets the world into her mind in "Girl, Interrupted." For someone who was suppose to be "nuts" and in a mental hospital this tale of her time there is very clear and brilliant. She's wonderfully poetic and compelling. I found this book frank, honest and deeply funny in some areas. She pulled no punches and truly drove into her own mind and those who she shared her time with at the hospital. It's a tough and powerful novel that is told so honestly that you want to be so careful with it and be respectful. Kaysen is a talented storyteller and very honest. I really enjoyed this book.
Rating:
Summary: it's the best
Review: it is by far the best book i've read. anybody that reads this will love it. the things that happened to her were described the best way possible.
Rating: 
Summary: In need of consolidation...
Review: This is in between informative and deep-inner-feelings sort of thing. Sometimes the book seems to exist just to explain the senselessness of mental institutes, and other times tries to share thoughts on sanity/insanity. If Susanna Kaysen would just chose one, she might have a stronger work. This also, unfortunately, slightly gives off the smell of rebel-teen-questioning-life, which is a lame way to preach to the world. Kaysen has some interesting stuff to say, but she must organize.
Rating: 
Summary: Girl, Intolerable
Review: Read it. Not because it offers a plethora of keen insights, or sharp witticisms; such things are sparsely found in this book. Read it to obtain a trite and somewhat conceited account of what had the potential to be an intriguing psychological study. Read it to learn how not to write. Read it to read an account that tries in vain to analyze the depths and nuances of the human psyche. Read it expecting noble intent, tempered by disappointing content. Read it, not for the paltry redeeming qualities to be found in it, but for cognizance of the qualities not found in it - qualities that make books good.
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