Mental Illness in Fiction

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abc
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Mental Illness in Fiction

Post by abc » December 4th, 2012, 11:38 am

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!

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Mira
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Re: Mental Illness in Fiction

Post by Mira » December 5th, 2012, 2:15 pm

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

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HillaryJ
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Re: Mental Illness in Fiction

Post by HillaryJ » December 8th, 2012, 1:40 am

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.
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WilyKit
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Re: Mental Illness in Fiction

Post by WilyKit » December 10th, 2012, 7:18 am

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

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Re: Mental Illness in Fiction

Post by Sommer Leigh » December 10th, 2012, 8:20 am

It's a little bit old, but I highly recommend I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.
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mtowbin
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Re: Mental Illness in Fiction

Post by mtowbin » January 4th, 2013, 8:21 pm

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
Author of STRAIGHTJACKET
Available from Etopia Press, February 15, 2013
http://www.meredithtowbin.com
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abc
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Re: Mental Illness in Fiction

Post by abc » January 8th, 2013, 7:53 pm

Thanks everybody!

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Re: Mental Illness in Fiction

Post by kghartwig » January 12th, 2013, 8:11 am

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

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Re: Mental Illness in Fiction

Post by SunnyE » January 16th, 2013, 2:38 am

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.

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