I heard lots of good things about this book's movie, but, not having much money, opted to read the book first. I really liked it. I liked how it took a mentally ill man and went inside how he thinks and processes things. As someone living with severe mental illness, I could relate to some things, but mainly, since I struggle with very different issues, it was just interesting. However, although I admittedly haven't checked out if the author was involved in the filming of the movie, I wonder what he would have thought of it. To me, the author's constant use of the phrase "the bad place" without ever mentioning that it's a mental facility and "apart time" for his 'temporary' separation from his wife Nikki, suggests to me that he was trying to convey that not only is Pat mentally ill, but that he may also have a minor developmental disability. He talks a lot like a child, and doesn't seem bothered that his Mom manages most of his life. However, being severely ill myself at times, but never to the point that I was put in a facility for many years, I could imagine that being THAT ill, you may come out needing that type of support for a time. However, the language the author chooses for Pat to use, just doesn't make sense for someone without a developmental disability to me. However, if the author did not intend to imply that Pat also has a developmental disability, then I think he took the idea to convey mental illness without actually ever mentioning a bit too far. Those phrases are VERY child-like. He could have easily used "adult" words and just not given us Pat's diagnosis, etc to convey mental illness is a more general sense and I think it would have worked better.
This book is heart-warming. It has great character development up to the last page of the book. There is plenty going on to keep the story going. However, I did have to take all the child like talk from Pat and, instead of get irritated by it, realize that the author is using it intentionally to indirectly tell me something about Pat. That helped me a lot. Instead of getting irritated, I just thought, "wow, this guy is really struggling". Luckily, the other characters talk like adults.
My biggest problem with this book is that I could see it being EXTREMELY triggering for someone with an eating disorder and/or a compulsive exercising disorder. I get that the author wanted to drive home all of Pat's problems and how severe they are, but the fact that his therapist and his family and friends never mention or address the issue, even once, is concerning to me. Honestly, they should have been working with him on that in the bad place to start. In fact, I think it's very sick that his Mom buys him a workout watch for Christmas. But again, this story didn't write itself, and I can only assume the author was trying to make a point. I have friends with eating disorders and struggle with Bingeing myself. I assume the author was pointing out how ignorant our culture can be to eating disorders. They do usually go undetected for a while before someone starts to even suspect. Moreover, in this book, I think the point is that too often, we as a culture are so obsessed with "looking great", that we forget about getting there in a healthy manner. Encouraging Pat to exercise 12 hours a day, letting him wear plastic bags running, letting him spend his nights sweating in the attic with the fans off, etc is where I have a problem with this book. These are all very unusual and extreme behaviors that anyone in their right mind should have been at least trying to help him cut down and stop. Usually, people with these sorts of problems hide their behaviors. The only one he tries to hide is sleeping in the attic to sweat all night. But, after his parents find him there, nothing is done and he continues the behavior. As someone who doesn't and has not ever struggled with these sorts of problems, I can read about them and how the other characters encouraged them and not get triggered (although because I'm sensitive to the issue, I do get angry), but someone who is, or has struggled with these or similar issues could be in for some REALLY triggering pages in this book.
Overall, this book confuses me as far as the author's intent. On one hand, he seems to be giving his audience an inside view on mental illness, but on the other, he doesn't seem to understand what happens, how others react, and the treatment for severe harmful behaviors associated with mental illness. He obviously doesn't have a mental illness himself (or if he does, took creative license to make the story work better) since Pat's Therapist is also his Psychiatrist.
However, I LOVED reading it! All the issues I described did not get in my way of enjoying this book as a novel. In fact, I thought parts of it were hilarious - some because I have an inside view of mental illness, and some because they are just generally funny. Well, a lot of it was funny. It was also sad. It's a great read! Just don't expect a picture perfect view of what it's like to have a mental illness since the author skips over some very major parts of the treatments and peoples reactions.
The movie, on the other hand is also great (although I think the book wins in my opinion). But it is absolutely NOTHING like the book! Major plot element in the book are out of place or dramatically changed for cinematic effect (for example, one thing that Pat doesn't know until the end of the book, he has memory of from the beginning of the movie!). I can see why they chose to change things since the book would really not make a good movie without most of these changes. But, about 5 minutes in, I had to just put my thoughts about how the book goes on hold and enjoy the movie for what it is, since everything is so totally rearranged or changed. In fact, this almost made the book and movie better, since afterwards I could laugh at how completely unrelated they were! My biggest problem with the movie was that Pat seemed to have no developmental issues in the movie, which was a huge shock to me!
So in a nutshell: This book is well worth the read, it's got all the right elements and interest for a great read. Just bear in mind it's not perfect in representing mental illness, it's a novel after all. If you've already seen the movie, enjoy the book for it's own enjoyment, you will be surprised at how different it is! If you haven't watched the movie, I honestly think it's better to start with the book first, as it will help you understand some of the unspoken things in the movie. It's a very quick read. I think it took me 2 or 3 days, and no, I didn't spend all day reading! It's a short book. Enjoy!
Note: I'd love to hear about other people's opinions on some of the issues I addressed here.
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Top reviews from other countries
Katie Warlund
Inspired a new lit course for my college
Reviewed in Canada on February 27, 2018
