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Beverly's Reviews > Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family
Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family
by
by
The Scourge of Schizophrenia
This frightening and seemingly unfathomable, true story is about a family with 12 children in which 6 of the boys develop schizophrenia. So much suffering is hard to take in. For not only did the sick boys endure unbelievable hardships, the well were left to take care of themselves. Parents of one sick child ignore their healthy children, but when there are so many, this behaviour is a lot closer to neglect. Time and time again, reading this, I grew angry at the parents. The father was never home and the mother acted for the most part as if nothing was happening. Both were able to put a positive spin on the horror happening at home and lots of secrets were kept.
Along with the family's internal politics, the author tells us the history of schizophrenia treatment and how the Galvin family was able to eventually help with learning why and how this terrible illness happens. He also addressed how it can be treated in the future and about the many mistakes of the past.
This frightening and seemingly unfathomable, true story is about a family with 12 children in which 6 of the boys develop schizophrenia. So much suffering is hard to take in. For not only did the sick boys endure unbelievable hardships, the well were left to take care of themselves. Parents of one sick child ignore their healthy children, but when there are so many, this behaviour is a lot closer to neglect. Time and time again, reading this, I grew angry at the parents. The father was never home and the mother acted for the most part as if nothing was happening. Both were able to put a positive spin on the horror happening at home and lots of secrets were kept.
Along with the family's internal politics, the author tells us the history of schizophrenia treatment and how the Galvin family was able to eventually help with learning why and how this terrible illness happens. He also addressed how it can be treated in the future and about the many mistakes of the past.
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Reading Progress
June 11, 2020
–
Started Reading
June 11, 2020
– Shelved
June 13, 2020
–
19.0%
June 15, 2020
–
Finished Reading
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Leila
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Jun 18, 2020 09:24AM
I am adding this one Beverly. Your review is excellent. Thank you.
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Leila wrote: "I am adding this one Beverly. Your review is excellent. Thank you."Thanks Leila! It really is an excellent book on the subject and is very, very well written.
Swaroop wrote: "Thank you for your review, Beverly! I hope to find this book in my library."You will not be disappointed Swaroop! You're welcome!
Terrific review, Beverly ... I'd like to rea this book even though it seems a tough one ...
Beata wrote: "Terrific review, Beverly ... I'd like to rea this book even though it seems a tough one ..."Thanks Beata, it is a tough one, but it is written so well and so sympathetically about the family. They gave up their anonymity so that researchers could use them to fight this horrible disease which is very brave.
Great review, Beverly! Glad it was a winner!
I've been hearing about this book, Beverly! I can't imagine dealing with so many children with problems. Great review! Adding this one to the TBR mountain.
Brilliant and fascinating review Beverly !!
Good review but a very hard book to read.
J.K. wrote: "Super review, Beverly!"Thanks J.K.!
RedemptionDenied wrote: "Great review, Beverly! Glad it was a winner!"Thanks so much RedemptionDenied!
Paula wrote: "Wow, amazing review, Beverly!"Thanks Paula! It is a tremendous eye-opener.
Libby wrote: "I've been hearing about this book, Beverly! I can't imagine dealing with so many children with problems. Great review! Adding this one to the TBR mountain."Thanks Libby! I know what you mean about the TBR mountain, mine is reaching the dimensions of Everest. I try to go back and cull it every now and again. Ha!
Lucy wrote: "Brilliant and fascinating review Beverly !!"Thanks very much Lucy!
Janis wrote: "Good review but a very hard book to read."Yes, Janis, it is a difficult read. The plight of the girls really got to me.
An important read for many of us B. Thank you for bringing this to attention.
Samra wrote: "An important read for many of us B. Thank you for bringing this to attention."Thanks Samra, it is an illuminating book about a horrible disease.
Elyse wrote: "Terrific review -- and I agree what you said about the girls getting to you too.... I soooo know what you mean -and felt!Hugs Beverly -- hope you are well xo"
Yes, Elyse, I felt so for those poor girls. They were neglected and abandoned and abused. It was sickening. I am, thank you and I hope you are safe and well too.
I too am reading it now and feel anger towards the parents. While they could not have stopped the illness, they preferred to travel, socialize, hobnob with rich and famous, and neglected the suffering of their boys. The author got such detail from the "children" which made for a very comprehensive story of what the family endured.
Marsha wrote: "I too am reading it now and feel anger towards the parents. While they could not have stopped the illness, they preferred to travel, socialize, hobnob with rich and famous, and neglected the suffer..."Yes Marsha, it is hard to read because of all they endured. The mother and father are equally to blame in their own way.
Yes having one child with it is enough of a heartbreak...
