Hurry Down Sunshine by Michael Greenberg

My most recent read is a true story about a father's experience as his daughter spirals down into insanity.  As I've said before I'm a bit of a sucker for books - true stories - about mental illness.  It must have to do with the fact that I'm a special ed teacher and have students past and present (and future) who suffer from mental illnesses and the more you know...la la la.  Well, this one was a doozy!  I don't know how I'd do as a parent or loved one of someone who literally cracks in the space of a day but I don't think I'd manage well.  Michael Greenberg did, however, considering.

Anyway - Hurry Down Sunshine tells the story of Michael Greenberg's daughter, Sally, who at the age of 15 suddenly begins a journey into the mentally ill world of bipolar.  The book begins with Sally have visionary hallucinations on the streets of Greenwich Village and takes us then into a psychiatric ward in Manhattan.  Sally believes she has figured out the brilliance that is in us all but that we lose as we grow into adults.  She becomes obsessed with preaching to all, her message.  The book thus chronicles this journey and the effect it has on all of Sally's loved ones (mother - a little crazy herself, father, stepmother and brother).  Greenberg, in writing this, doesn't portray himself as the perfect father nor someone who was prepared to face such a challenge.  In fact, he makes many mistakes and isn't afraid to admit to them.  His honesty in this, though at times makes the reader HATE him, also shows that dealing with such a situation as the mental breakdown of a loved one, leaves a person reeling and confused as to what direction to take.    

I really liked this book - as much as someone can like a book that deals with such a subject and would certainly recommend.