In the blink of an eye Maddy Banks went from a typical college student, studying at NYU, to a young woman unable to control her behaviors. Manic episodes that scared those who love her in ways they never experienced before, and certainly never saw coming. 

One day at school, and feeling depressed, she went to the students health center to talk to someone. They put her on an antidepressant and that drug triggered the bipolar disorder that was, at the time, (somewhat) dormant. It was then that Maddy became an extreme version of herself – believing Taylor Swift needed her to write her biography and Netflix is going to sign her for a stand up comedy special. 

Listen to me when I tell you this … it ain’t an easy read if you have issues with your mental health.  I do  (depression, not bipolar) and there were instances which brought back memories of my worst time on earth.  Like, being a person I never knew before which prompted the discontinuance of some relationships and changing the way I am seen (or so I believe) by others.

This story could be a rough go for some. 

Lisa Genova did what she always does. She takes a serious health issue which impacts millions (36M worldwide – 7M in the US) and expertly helps us to better understand it.  I mean, Maddy’s manic episodes made me genuinely, and uncomfortably, anxious.  Like REALLY anxious. 

I appreciated so much that her storytelling was done with care, compassion, and thoughtfulness.  She did a lovely job creating a more sympathetic understanding without it being trite or diluting the realities of it. 

There were times the subject matter upset me, through no fault of the author, of course. The memories it stirred, and the hurt that paired with it, evoked a flood of feelings of contrition and sadness. I imagine there will always be something which reminds us of a dark time when fighting this battle.  But that’s ok.  It’s part of our healing process. 

Maddy gets it, too. 

4.25/5.0