Books Like...
"My Lobotomy: A Memoir" by Howard Dully recounts the harrowing experiences of the author, who underwent a lobotomy at the age of 12. The book delves into Howard's troubled childhood, his abusive stepmother's role in the lobotomy, and his struggles with mental health and identity. Written in a simplistic yet captivating style, the memoir provides a raw and emotional account of Howard's journey from trauma and despair to resilience and self-discovery.
If you liked My Lobotomy: A Memoir, here are the top 22 books to read next:
- #1
In "January First" by Michael Schofield, readers are taken on a raw and emotional journey of a father's love for his four-year-old daughter, January Janni, who struggles with severe early-onset schizophrenia. The book portrays the family's relentless efforts to find resources and help for Janni's bizarre and violent behaviors, as they navigate through a healthcare system that often falls short. Through the father's honest and heart-wrenching narrative, readers witness the challenges, sacrifices, and unwavering love of parents who will go to any length to support their child.
Schofield's writing style in "January First" is described as captivating, engaging, and brutally honest. He skillfully portrays the struggles and triumphs of his family's journey with Janni's mental illness, drawing readers into a narrative that is both heartbreaking and hopeful. The book sheds light on the complexities of childhood schizophrenia, the impact on families, and the resilience required to navigate through a system that often fails to provide adequate support.
- #2
The Burn Journals by Brent Runyon is a memoir that chronicles the author's harrowing experience as a 14-year-old who attempts suicide by setting himself on fire. Despite surviving the attempt, Runyon faces a long and painful road to recovery, both physically and mentally. The book delves into his time in the burn unit of a hospital, exploring his healing process and the impact of his actions on himself and his family. Through his candid storytelling, Runyon offers a raw and honest account of his struggles with depression and suicide, providing a glimpse into the emotional turmoil he faced during his journey towards recovery.
The narrative style of The Burn Journals is described as gripping and moving, with Runyon's candid and matter-of-fact writing drawing readers into his story. The book not only explores the traumatic event of the suicide attempt but also delves into the aftermath, showcasing Runyon's introspection and emotional growth. Despite the heavy subject matter, the book also incorporates moments of lightness and humor, providing a nuanced portrayal of a teenager's complex emotions and experiences.
I'm awake, listening to the radio, and Mom is yelling at me to get out of bed. I don't want to get out of bed. I don't want to go to school. Maybe I should play sick, but I've done that too many times... 'Two or Three Things I Know for Sure' by Dorothy Allison is a slim autobiographical volume that reflects on the author's impoverished childhood and the love-hate relationships within her family. The book is described as candid, inspiring, and eerily familiar, with a storyteller-ish quality that leaves the reader in awe of the strength displayed by Allison and the women in her family in the face of incredible hardship. The memoir touches on themes of poverty, sexual abuse, and hard living in the American South, presented through frank observations and poignant reflections.
Allison's writing style is praised for its honesty, rawness, and realness, as she delves into her experiences with a mix of celebration and bitterness. The memoir is noted for its masterful storytelling, vivid descriptions, and exploration of complex emotions like love, pride, determination, and self-discovery. Despite the heavy themes, the book is also described as a quick read with wonderful prose that captivates the reader from start to finish.
Where I was born—Greenville, South Carolina—smelled like nowhere else I’ve ever been. Cut wet grass, split green apples, baby shit and beer bottles, cheap makeup and motor oil. Everything was ripe, ev...- #4
'Tiger, Tiger' by Margaux Fragoso is a memoir that chronicles the author's 15-year relationship with a pedophile, starting when she was just seven years old. Fragoso details the grooming, manipulation, and abuse she endured at the hands of Peter, a 51-year-old man who showered her with attention and affection, all while masking his true intentions. The narrative delves into the complexities of their relationship, portraying Fragoso's emotional turmoil and struggles as she navigates a world filled with dysfunction, abuse, and isolation.
Fragoso's writing style in 'Tiger, Tiger' is described as courageous, haunting, and brutally honest. She narrates her harrowing experiences with compassion and vulnerability, offering readers a raw and unflinching account of her traumatic past. The author's ability to convey the psychological nuances of her abuser and her own journey from victim to survivor is commendable, as she weaves a narrative that demands empathy and understanding from the readers.
Nineteen eighty-five. It was spring, and cherry blossoms fell when the wind blew hard. The gay feathers and asters were in bloom, and I smelled the sweet, dizzy scent of honeysuckle fumes, which rode ... Jennifer Traig's 'Devil in the Details: Scenes from an Obsessive Girlhood' is a memoir that delves into the author's struggles with OCD and scrupulosity as a teenager in a religiously blended family. Traig humorously narrates her journey of self-discovery, battling with her obsessive behaviors, quirky rituals, and the challenges of balancing her mental health with her dedication to religion. The book captures Traig's unique perspective on teenage life, family dynamics, and the universal struggles of adolescence, all while maintaining a light-hearted and sarcastic tone that resonates with readers.
My father and I werein the laundry room and we were having a crisis. It was thestrangest thing, but I couldn’t stop crying. And there were a fewother weird things: I was wearing a yarmulke and a night...- #6
'When Rabbit Howls' by Truddi Chase is a chilling autobiography that delves into the life of a woman who suffered extreme abuse from a young age, leading to the development of multiple personalities. The narrative unfolds through the sessions with her therapist and a manuscript written by her various personalities, known as The Troops. The book is an emotional and enlightening journey that showcases the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable horrors. The writing style, with different voices and non-linear storytelling, provides a raw and candid look at dissociative identity disorder.
PROTECTIVE Services, federally funded and operating statewide, dealt with a variety of family ills—among them, child abuse. The branch agency for Cashell, Maryland, was housed on the outskirts of subu... - #7
'Where Reasons End' by Yiyun Li is a novel that delves into the emotional journey of a mother as she converses with her deceased teenage son who committed suicide. The book is constructed as a series of conversations that take place in the narrator's mind, exploring themes of grief, loss, and the complexities of the mother-son relationship. The writing style is described as poetic, brave, and ethereal, focusing on the profound connection between the characters rather than a traditional plot-driven narrative.
Yiyun Li's novel navigates the pain of a mother coping with the suicide of her son through poignant dialogues that touch on themes of memory, love, and the limitations of words in the face of tragedy. The book offers a unique exploration of grief, with the conversations between the mother and son serving as a reflection of the author's own experiences and emotions surrounding the loss of her child. The novel's experimental style and focus on the emotional journey of the characters create a deeply impactful and thought-provoking reading experience.
I was surprised. He used to only call me that when I wasn’t paying attention. But here I was, holding on to my attentiveness because that was all I could do for him now. I’ve never told you how much I... - #8
'The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons' by Sam Kean delves into the history of neuroscience through the lens of individuals who have experienced brain damage, shedding light on the complexities of the human brain. Kean weaves together informative narratives about the brain's components, the lives of patients, and the breakthroughs made by doctors, spanning from the 1700s to the present day. is described as a fascinating exploration into the enigmatic world of the brain, incorporating a mix of amusing anecdotes and detailed accounts of neurological disorders and advancements in the field.
The world would have looked stunningly, alarmingly bright to the king of France, then suddenly dark. During the charge, little light penetrated the cocoon of his helmet. Darkness was safety. But when ... - #9
The Eden Express by Mark Vonnegut is a memoir that delves into the author's experience of starting a hippie commune in the early 1970s and subsequently having a mental breakdown, leading to his hospitalization. The book provides a unique perspective on the hippie culture of the time, detailing Mark's struggle with mental illness and the blurred lines between reality, illness, and drug-induced hallucinations. Through a candid and humorous narrative, Vonnegut navigates his descent into madness while reflecting on themes of self-exploration, societal divisions, and the consequences of mental illness on individuals and their loved ones.
JUNE 1969: SWARTHMORE GRADUATION. The night before, someone had taken white paint and painted “Commence What?” on the front of the stage. The maintenance crew had dutifully covered it over with red, w... "Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family" by Robert Kolker delves into the heartbreaking story of the Galvin family, consisting of twelve children, six of whom were diagnosed with schizophrenia. Through the eyes of the family members, readers are taken on a journey of trauma, resilience, and the impact of severe mental illness on each individual. Kolker skillfully intertwines the family's personal struggles with the evolution of schizophrenia treatment from the 1950s to the present, providing a poignant exploration of how the Galvin family coped with the challenges they faced.
The narrative of "Hidden Valley Road" is a compassionate and informative look at the Galvin family's experiences with mental illness, shedding light on the complexities of schizophrenia and the family's contributions to research in the field. weaves together personal accounts of the family members with scientific explanations of schizophrenia, offering a moving portrayal of resilience, struggle, and the quest for understanding in the face of devastating circumstances.
Every so often, in the middle of doing yet another thing she’d never imagined doing, Mimi Galvin would pause and take a breath and consider what, exactly, had brought her to that moment. Was it the ca...