A review by kaleighhh
Phantom Limb by Lucinda Berry
2.0
This book seems more like a glance into psychological disturbances rather than a psychological thriller. It follows the life and history of two girls (more about one of them though for most of the book) Emily and Elizabeth who are twins that have a very troubled past.
I have a hard time understanding how a clinical psychologist could have written this book. Many of the disorders are dramatized and used as a plot devise. That is not to say that people do not struggle to the extent that the individuals in this book did, but it really rubs me the wrong way the way the author seemed to depict and use them. If I had no knowledge of these disorders I would leave this book thinking people with these disorders are insane and not capable of being normal and that’s just not true! I also think that even though it’s fiction and supposed to be a psychological thriller the author (especially as a clinical psychologist) should of put a trigger warning at the start of this book because there are supper graphic and disturbing scenes involving suicide, abuse, self-harm, eating disorders, and sexual abuse. Maybe I am just judging her harder because of her credentials but I just feel weird about the use of mental health as the basis of an entire book that’s supposed to be a psychological thriller, like that just automatically gives a bad reputation to metal disorders that could lead to stigmatization. I did however find it to be engaging and face paced. I won’t ever recommend this to people though because for me I think it could do more harm then good, but that just my opinion.
I have a hard time understanding how a clinical psychologist could have written this book. Many of the disorders are dramatized and used as a plot devise. That is not to say that people do not struggle to the extent that the individuals in this book did, but it really rubs me the wrong way the way the author seemed to depict and use them. If I had no knowledge of these disorders I would leave this book thinking people with these disorders are insane and not capable of being normal and that’s just not true! I also think that even though it’s fiction and supposed to be a psychological thriller the author (especially as a clinical psychologist) should of put a trigger warning at the start of this book because there are supper graphic and disturbing scenes involving suicide, abuse, self-harm, eating disorders, and sexual abuse. Maybe I am just judging her harder because of her credentials but I just feel weird about the use of mental health as the basis of an entire book that’s supposed to be a psychological thriller, like that just automatically gives a bad reputation to metal disorders that could lead to stigmatization. I did however find it to be engaging and face paced. I won’t ever recommend this to people though because for me I think it could do more harm then good, but that just my opinion.