When Don and Mimi Galvin started out, they believed they’d have a family like any other. While Don began his career in the Air Force and continued to be involved in government in an advisory role, Mimi took to her role as matriarch and could not be convinced, even at risk to her health, to not continue to have more babies. Even when she had to have noticed that her two older sons were constantly in conflict, that the younger ones were often casualties in these conflicts, her denial about their situation was stronger than her will to continue until she had given birth to ten sons and two daughters. Tragically, what was more unusual about this family was that six of the ten sons would go on to develop severe mental illness, most characterized as schizophrenia. The trauma that each family member experienced because of this was unspeakable, but was also a source of important medical information that would inform the small advances in the study of this devastating disease.
This non-fiction story provides a fascinating peek into a family plagued by mental illness in an order of magnitude that, to my mind, is incomprehensible. We are given an inside perspective not only on how an individual with schizophrenia suffers, but also how deeply those around these souls suffer as well. And while we learn of the onset and progression of each of the sons with the condition, we are also given the historical perspective on the attitudes toward and the treatment of this disease; one that has seen some progress but not nearly as much as one would hope for given all the time that has passed since this family (and so many others) have been studied. And we see how often the treatments are almost as harmful to these patients as the disease itself.
The writing here is quite good. In telling the story of this complicated family, there are many anecdotes that engage the reader and create an almost novel-like vibe to the book. Many times there are direct quotes from the family, as they have been interviewed extensively about their experiences. But there is also quite a bit of science, explained and simplified – but never dumbed down – to make it accessible to the common reader.
I believe this is an important read; one that explains the horror and the mystery around this complex and devastating disease. We all have a connection to those with mental health issues and I believe it is our duty to try to understand them, to become as knowledgable about them as we can, and to have compassion for those who suffer the most from having or living with those who have them.
kindread spirits 