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Mental Illness in Fiction

Posted: December 4th, 2012, 11:38 am
by abc
Hi, I'm looking for some recommendations of fiction books that deal realistically with mental illnesses. Young Adult would be best, but any would be helpful. Specifically depression, anxiety, and bi-polar disorder. Thanks!

Re: Mental Illness in Fiction

Posted: December 5th, 2012, 2:15 pm
by Mira
Hey, I know I've read some, but can't think of them right now.

Wikipedia might have some good suggestions.

Good luck!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_illness_in_fiction

Re: Mental Illness in Fiction

Posted: December 8th, 2012, 1:40 am
by HillaryJ
I recently finished Talking to the Dead by Harry BIngham. It's adult, a mystery, but the narrator suffers from highs and lows similar to bi-polar disorder. The mystery is interesting, but the slow revelation of the unreliable narrator is absolutely fascinating. I highly recommend it if you're looking at writing from the POV of a character with mental illness.

Re: Mental Illness in Fiction

Posted: December 10th, 2012, 7:18 am
by WilyKit
I was thinking about some of the novels I've read in which mental illness plays a role. Some that come to mind are:

- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
- I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb
- The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy

Re: Mental Illness in Fiction

Posted: December 10th, 2012, 8:20 am
by Sommer Leigh
It's a little bit old, but I highly recommend I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.

Re: Mental Illness in Fiction

Posted: January 4th, 2013, 8:21 pm
by mtowbin
My YA book, STRAIGHTJACKET, is about mental illness! It's being released in about a month. Both main characters are struggling with some issues -- Anna is suffering from depression and panic attacks, and Caleb is delusional and has catatonic stupors. Here's a little bit more info if you're interested: http://www.meredithtowbin.com/my-books-2

Re: Mental Illness in Fiction

Posted: January 8th, 2013, 7:53 pm
by abc
Thanks everybody!

Re: Mental Illness in Fiction

Posted: January 12th, 2013, 8:11 am
by kghartwig
There's a great short story, THE YELLOW WALLPAPER, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1892) - link here: http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/dept/hi ... paper.html

Re: Mental Illness in Fiction

Posted: January 16th, 2013, 2:38 am
by SunnyE
I highly recommend I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb. It's a bit lengthy and heavier than YA reads, but it's really good. He gives great insight into mental illness and its effects on the people around the ill person.