The author of this book is well known in the media in Australia. Sadly, her son developed schizophrenia, and this is the story of the effect of that illness on her family and her frustrations in finding the care for her son that he so badly needs. There is the pain of having to stop him living at home, and fear when she does not know where he is - when she can only hope that someone, somewhere is being kind to him. It's actually some years since I have read this. I lent my first copy and when I didn't get it back, bought another, which I also lent and which has also stayed away! I'm on the website today to see if it's still available! What I remember most about the book are the beautiful poems by Jonathan's sister, which speak so painfully and movingly about how her brother has changed, and yet how her mother still loves him. The medical profession comes out of the book badly, and so it is a good motivator for those involved in caring for people with schizophrenia to do better.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Very moving, 13 Jun 2009

By	Heliumion (UK) - See all my reviews

I read this having worked and studied in mental health for many years. If you want to get a picture of what it is like to be a family member of someone with schizophrenia, this is a good read.
It also tries very hard to give a good account both of her son's view of his mental state, and the professionals at the time (1970s-80s), although these views are of course second-hand.

There is a theme running through this of the inadequacy of services for Jonathan (her son)when he was in the community, and the speed with which he got discharged from brief visits to hospital.

I think these days there has been more investment in community mental health services, and assertive outreach teams in particular are focussed on people like Jonathan. So while the core story about a mother and her boy and how they were affected by schizophrenia is still as deeply moving as it once was, I think the theme what needs to change in mental health services means the book probably doesn't pack the same punch as it once did.

This family perspective is very different to first-hand accounts of schizophrenia, and a very valuable read for anyone working with people with schizophrenia.

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