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A review by abookarmoire
The Good Sister by Drusilla Campbell
3.0
Many themes run through this book… The main one being postpartum depression but more specifically postpartum psychosis. It’s interesting, scary and very real. This book provides an insight on how families can be impacted by this disorder - in this story, spanning four generations.
And you’ll understand that postpartum psychosis takes a mother’s natural love for her children and turns it back on itself. It turns a loving mother into a loving killer.
Following sisters Roxanne (the good sister) and Simone (the sister that needs care) through their childhood and adulthood, shows how far reaching this disability impacts each other’s lives and dependancies. Even Roxanne’s husband Ty tries to separate the sisters…
“I’ve been trying to force you to make this break with Simone for me. Because it’s what I want. And I finally figured out that you’ve got to want independence for yourself as much as I want it for you.”
Major events occur with Simone, propelling her eldest 9 year old daughter to call 911, and that brings attention to the media, and then an attempted murder charge, to the courtroom they go.
Weekly articles in the supermarket tabloids claimed to know and tell the whole story. The whole story! If Roxanne had had any sense of humour left she would have cackled at such a preposterous claim. There were all responsible for what happened that September afternoon.
What is it like to suffer from postpartum psychosis? Simone describes it as melancholy. Sad in the head and in the heart and in the bones.
How does Simone’s husband feel about seeking help? "I could send her to all the therapists in the world and they wouldn’t do her any good. Psychology isn’t a science. Mostly it’s just professional nosiness.”
It’s hard to pass judgement on what goes on behind closed doors in a family. This wasn’t the most highly rated read for me, but hit home, since I have a cousin that suffered from this, and her life was greatly impacted; was married, had 2 daughters, was diagnosed all too late, medicated, hospitalized, lost her job, divorced, thankfully kids in the care of her parents (their grandparents), life to never be the same again. When I saw her years later, I hardly recognized her… So sad.
I commend those who support their loved ones through it all. Author’s notes at the back of the book say: Postpartum depression affects the whole family. I can only imagine…
And you’ll understand that postpartum psychosis takes a mother’s natural love for her children and turns it back on itself. It turns a loving mother into a loving killer.
Following sisters Roxanne (the good sister) and Simone (the sister that needs care) through their childhood and adulthood, shows how far reaching this disability impacts each other’s lives and dependancies. Even Roxanne’s husband Ty tries to separate the sisters…
“I’ve been trying to force you to make this break with Simone for me. Because it’s what I want. And I finally figured out that you’ve got to want independence for yourself as much as I want it for you.”
Major events occur with Simone, propelling her eldest 9 year old daughter to call 911, and that brings attention to the media, and then an attempted murder charge, to the courtroom they go.
Weekly articles in the supermarket tabloids claimed to know and tell the whole story. The whole story! If Roxanne had had any sense of humour left she would have cackled at such a preposterous claim. There were all responsible for what happened that September afternoon.
What is it like to suffer from postpartum psychosis? Simone describes it as melancholy. Sad in the head and in the heart and in the bones.
How does Simone’s husband feel about seeking help? "I could send her to all the therapists in the world and they wouldn’t do her any good. Psychology isn’t a science. Mostly it’s just professional nosiness.”
It’s hard to pass judgement on what goes on behind closed doors in a family. This wasn’t the most highly rated read for me, but hit home, since I have a cousin that suffered from this, and her life was greatly impacted; was married, had 2 daughters, was diagnosed all too late, medicated, hospitalized, lost her job, divorced, thankfully kids in the care of her parents (their grandparents), life to never be the same again. When I saw her years later, I hardly recognized her… So sad.
I commend those who support their loved ones through it all. Author’s notes at the back of the book say: Postpartum depression affects the whole family. I can only imagine…