Finding Alice by Melody Carlson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Finding Alice
Book Review: SPELLBINDING
Summary: 5 Stars
Not unlike Alice of Wonderland fame, this is a story that is mesmerizing. With no Queen of Hearts about but a young woman's quest for identity, Carlson provides women of all ages a wonderful read. OK. Men will enjoy it too - I'm a husband, an uncle and cousin and I'm glad I picked it up! Thanks Melody.Book Review: Skillful and Unique
Summary: 4 Stars
For some, the frightening descent into full-blown paranoid schizophrenia is rapid. Alice Laxton, an intelligent and seemingly "normal" senior at an Oregon university, finds her life spinning out of control after a break-up from her boyfriend triggers the beginning of a long list of eerie symptoms. First, Alice begins hearing the insistent voice of "Amelia." Then she begins to suspect that everyone is plotting to hurt her. Finally, the cruel tricks that schizophrenia plays on her mind take her places she never imagined...back to the confines of her strict fundamentalist Christian home, to the streets, and to strange places of healing that Alice never believed she'd find.
Carlson has done a masterful job crafting this novel about schizophrenia. The first person narration works perfectly, giving Alice's voice a poignancy it would not have had otherwise. As Alice narrates her story with the perfect mixture of realism and intelligent eloquence, readers will feel as if they are living through schizophrenia along with her-fighting to figure out what is real and what is merely a part of a diseased imagination, wondering if a broken life can ever be truly repaired, and sometimes being forced to accept kindness from unlikely sources. And speaking of those unlikely sources of kindness, the supporting characters in this novel (in typical Carlson fashion) are well-drawn and unique. But beyond being a novel that is easy to get lost in, "Finding Alice" is also an enlightening look at mental illness in the context of a Christian worldview and a brave exploration of a subject that seems to be rarely addressed in Christian fiction. Kudos to Carlson for choosing to forgo the cliched "Western frontier" settings and instead writing about a fresh subject with universal relevance. If you enjoyed "Looking For Cassandra Jane," you will definitely find this genuine, hope-filled story equally satisfying.
Book Review: Tears of Hope and Faith
Summary: 5 Stars
Other books have dealt with the subject of mental illness. I particularly enjoyed "Girl Interrupted" and "A Beautiful Mind." I was blown away, however, by the fresh and tender perspective of Melody Carlson in "Finding Alice."Alice is a borderline genius, a college-aged girl who begins protracted dialogue with imaginary friends (and enemies). Connecting herself to images from "Alice in Wonderland," Alice's own lines of reality become blurred, and in the process she finds herself facing cold, clinical treatment. Carlson's story doesn't linger here. Instead, she takes us on a journey of hope. We follow Alice, hearing her thoughts, her fears, her confusion, as she begins to take her own life and sanity under control. Shrugging the religious pretensions that have only muddied the waters, Alice turns to a kind woman and a caring young man who bring true Godly light into the situation.
Carlson handles Alice's transformation brilliantly. The emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual issues are addressed, and never sugarcoated. We care about Alice. We want her to come around. We long for her to sift through the turmoil in her own mind. I found myself gaining deeper understanding and empathy for those with similar struggles. I closed the book with tears in my eyes--tears of hope, faith, and thankfulness.
I thank God for Christian writers who are tackling these difficult subjects. Mental illness is rarely addressed in church circles, and, as suggested in this novel, it's often passed off as a demonic problem. Yes, I believe we are in a spiritual struggle that can affect body, soul, and mind; through this story, however, Carlson tenderly points out our need to broaden our views and open our arms to those in mental anguish.
Book Review: The book review of what I lived through!
Summary: 5 Stars
It's almost as Alice lived my life of two psychosis. Yet? There are some differences. I cried through it, laughed through it, and got anxious as she often does through it. Do you want to KNOW what going through a mental disorder can do to you? READ THIS BOOK AND WALK THOUGH ALICE'S ORDEAL! In fact Alice had it WAY better than I did! She's only now a senior in college. I am fifty years old now and was 19 and 23 when my illnesses were full blown. Thank you Melody Carlson for letting me escape some of my terrible past and reaffirm the spiritual healing that God can bring to me besides my psychologist = (talk therapy)and psychiatrist = (medication check-up)!Book Review: WOW!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a page turner that you won't be able to put down. Melody is a great writer and she invites you into a world that is scary, interesting, and simply amazing all the while teaching compassion, understanding and love.