A review by dlberglund
The Memory of Light by Francisco X. Stork
4.0
A deeply moving book about moving back toward life after being saved from an earnest suicide attempt. Vicky had to learn what it really means (for her) to have chemical depression, and how to be her own person in her household, rather than only pretending in front of her family. At first, I was worried that the book would be too bleak for me to feel comfortable recommending it to teenagers, but I think it is balanced and mostly realistic.
I did have some problems with the compete lack of confidentiality or professional ethics when it came to discussing medical treatments. A psychiatrist can't typically just discuss other patients' diagnoses and treatments with other patients in their group therapy. They also can't typically *take 4 teenagers home with them* to their personal ranch with their spouse. I can overlook all that in the name of a good story, but it definitely can't get 5 stars due to those details.
I did have some problems with the compete lack of confidentiality or professional ethics when it came to discussing medical treatments. A psychiatrist can't typically just discuss other patients' diagnoses and treatments with other patients in their group therapy. They also can't typically *take 4 teenagers home with them* to their personal ranch with their spouse. I can overlook all that in the name of a good story, but it definitely can't get 5 stars due to those details.