#schizophrenia – kindread spirits

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.

When Jonathan Rosen moved to Mereland Rd. in New Rochelle at the age of 10 and met Michael Laudor who lived down the block, their friendship was immediately kindled. Jonathan was taken by the brilliant, athletic, and charming personality that Michael exuded, and he felt constantly challenged, entertained, even a bit intimidated by him. While they remained close friends through elementary, middle and high school, their friendship took on a bit of a competitive edge, and when they both were accepted to Yale University, they remained friendly but found divergent paths. Jonathan now writes about his friend not because of this friendship, but because of the perspective that this friendship lends him. Because eventually, Michael, while truly brilliant and charming, was also diagnosed with schizophrenia, and this became Michael’s ultimate challenge.

This is a topic of epic importance, particularly in this moment when so many are suffering from mental health disorders. It is vital that we acknowledge that these conditions are prevalent, need appropriate high-quality treatment, and should not be treated as if they do not exist. And it is urgent that it is brought to the attention of the masses, so that there can be discourse on how best to address the needs of the most ill among us, particularly those with the possible propensity to lack control over their actions, even to the point of violence toward others or themselves.

This book, was disappointing in its efforts to accomplish this, however. I found it utterly frustrating in the overwhelming number of detailed tangents, distractions, and offshoots, while the gist of the story kept getting lost. Whether it was the writing or the editing – likely a combination of the two – I am not sure, but I had a very difficult time getting through. (If I were not reading this for a book club, I would have given up much less than halfway through.) I did not need to know the background of everyone who weighed in on every detail of Michael’s life. I did not need to know every painstaking detail of every historical backstory of everything that was going on at the time each event occurred. I did not need to know every comment from everyone Michael ever met. It was painful.

I had approached this book with much anticipation. Since I have lived in New Rochelle, have children who went to the middle school and high school here, was familiar with the barbershop and the local toy store Jonathan refers to, I was excited to read about them all in a now-famous book. Moreover, knowing the urgency of this topic, I was thrilled that someone was championing this cause in an accessible story. Sadly, I found this to be neither accessible nor a “story” in the true sense of the word. It was more a textbook with a theme, riddled with too many facts, muddled by an attempt to achieve too much.

I am glad that Michael’s story is told. I am disappointed that his story is so hidden underneath so much data.