Girl, Interrupted Book Review

Title: Girl, Interrupted

Author: Susanna Kaysen

Genre: Memoir

Rating: 5/5

I'd like to preface with the high expectations I had going into this book—I have had my eye on this book for quite some time and have heard talk of its brilliance. This memoir fully lived up to its hype.

I’ll begin with applause to the author. Her battle with “mental health” and living in a psychiatric hospital show’s her strength enough. Additionally, Sussana Kaysen does an amazing job at manifesting her thoughts unto the reader. It's easy to depict the harrowing emotion and confusion she possessed. While I read I felt as if in some manner I was Susanna or at the very least was apart of her mind.

The writing is concise, clever, and of the rawest form. It is a relatively easy read, but Kaysen’s voice is intelligent and extremely insightful. The themes presented balance the line of obvious and subtle; it's up to the reader to depict which ideas are most prominent.

Though this book centers on a young girl struggling with mental health, I do not believe that was the most important facet. Ideas such as the influence of others' perception and not understanding your own diagnosis yet having expectations to recover are crucial themes. The title itself provides us with its message—the struggle of a girl interrupted by her, and the world’s, insanity.

Girl, Interrupted is raw, insightful, and crafted with diligence; definitely recommend.