Girl, Interrupted

Rating:
Summary: Definitely Different from the Movie
Review: I guess my problem with this book is that I saw the movie first and decided to read it after I saw an interview with Winnona Ryder. While the movie is a continuous story that makes sense, this book is just bits and pieces of Susanna Kaysen's 2-year stay in the mental hospital. I'm sure I would have liked the story better if I had not seen the movie first and had pre-conceived notions in my head regarding what the book would contain and what it wouldn't. That said, it is still a good story and it makes you laugh in some parts and feel terrible for these girls in other parts. It is definitely worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: As Good As The Movie
Review: 'Girl Interrupted' was one of the best books I have ever read. The author, Susanna Kaysen, wrote with such detail and intense feeling that it felt as if I was a character in the story with her. This true story takes you through a life with some difficult problems. It made me realize that what I think is a horrible problem or a hard situation, is nothing compared to what other people go through. It made me appreciate what I have.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Book I Ever Read
Review: This book can capture the deepest secrets, for a depressed person, for a person who claims to be normal. The story of a stranger sending a young girl to mental institution after only a half hour confrence, reaches out to every heart. I love this book with all my heart, I couldn't put it down. The story's give you examples of the weird life, yet show you how sane the situtions are. This is a must read for everyone, forget the movie, this book is the real thing. I recommend it to all of you and I will not rest until everyone reads it. Susanna, you are truely a great writer and a great woman. I love this book.

Rating:
Summary: I am Interrupted!
Review: This is about a girl who is admitted into a mental hospital by her parents after she attempts suicide. She ends up becoming friends with all the other residents and they learn a lot about each other. They also learn about accepting who they are and living with their problems. This is a compelling and touching story that teaches you the values of friendship and the priveleges of being sane.

Rating:
Summary: A must read for anyone in the mental health profession
Review: I am currently a graduate student in social work, and I am always looking for personal accounts of mental illness/depression, etc. Susana Kaysen briallantly and purposely describes her experience in a psychiatric hospital. Hopefully, readers will finish with motivation to help change current mental health policy that effects how individuals receive treatment, which due to managed care, is many times less than adequate. I highly reccomend this book, I enjoyed the movie, but LOVED the book.

Rating:
Summary: GIRL ... TRYING TO FINISH A BOOK
Review: I DON'T LIKE THE WAY IT'S PRESENTED : JUMPING FROM A LITTLE STORY TO ANOTHER ONE ; I PREFER WHEN THERE IS A CONTINUATION IN A BOOK & MAYBE THIS WHY I HAVE DIFFICULTIES FINISHING THE BOOK... HOWEVER IT'S A GOOD "REPORT" ON HOW SOME DOCTORS & HOSPITALS ARE ABUSING THEIR POWER ! ESPECIALLY IN THIS AREA ! THERE IS AN HISTORY OF MENTAL ILLNESS IN MY FAMILY AND BELIEVE ME DOCTORS WHO SEE A PATIENT FOR 5 MINUTES AND DECIDE THAT HE OR SHE IS NOT "NORMAL" DO EXIST ! SO FOR THIS AND OTHER THINGS I'LL MAKE AN EFFORT TO FINISH THE BOOK ...

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: All I can say is that this book was extremely well written. A very interesting view of a situtation/condition that so many people have to deal with throughout life....some have yet to even diagnose their illness. I found this book very educating....an eye-opener for people that have at some point in there life felt confused,worthless, helpless, & of course "crazy". Even with the reality of the illnesses portrayed in this book, comes a great bit of humor that keeps the story alive and funny. Great book! (Good movie too)

Rating:
Summary: Very Nice
Review: I loved this book, and finish it within two days. A very nice piece of literature, I haven't got to see the movie yet, so i read the book first. I enjoyed the depth and sofistication the book brought to light. How anyone can relate to the thoughts of this writer.

Rating:
Summary: Book vs. Movie
Review: I first read the book, it's a fast read. After I was done with it, I saw the movie. It is almost unfair to compare the two. They are very different. So if you read the book, thinking about the movie, you are going to be disipointed. I liked both of them, but the movie has more of a story line. The book is out of sequence which is good because it portrays Susanna's personality. My suggestion is to read the book and then see the movie. It is interesting what the movie fills in for you!

Rating:
Summary: Girl, Reading
Review: It wasnt the most readable book in the world, but being someone who loves to read on the subject of mental illness, I enjoyed it well enough. It seems rather disjointed, but I guess that's the way it's meant to be. It doesnt give a lot away, for example, it doesnt say a thing about what may have caused Susanna to become so confused and upset in the first place. It doesnt explain whether or not she continues to live her life this way, or if suddenly, by magic, she is cured? It seems as though the writer doesnt actually remember a whole lot about what actually happened, and tends to write more about the other patients than about herself. Despite all of this, I enjoyed the subject matter and it was a short, sweet read. I think Id need to read more true accounts of mental illness before i can make an accurate decision on what I think of this book.