Girl, Interrupted

Susanna Kaysen’s vivid memoir transports readers into the turbulent world of mental illness as she reflects on her experiences at a psychiatric hospital in the late 1960s. At just eighteen, Susanna finds herself navigating the complexities of her thoughts and emotions following a diagnosis that leads her to a stringent institutional setting. Through her keen observations and sharp wit, she delves into the lives of her fellow patients, each with their own struggles and stories, creating a poignant tapestry of human experience.

The narrative serves not only as a personal account but also as a commentary on the nature of sanity and societal perceptions of mental health. Kaysen's candid exploration of her time in the hospital challenges conventional notions of what it means to be "normal." With a tone that oscillates between somber and humorous, she invites readers to question their own definitions of sanity while shedding light on the often stigmatized world of mental health care.