Crazy Books??

[bootyqueen]

I'm interested in reading some more novels that are set in mental institutions...
I have quite a short list, all I can think of are Girl, Interrupted and
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's nest...
Can anyone suggest some others to read???
I don't know why, but I find stories about insanity fascinating....
I also really like books that are set in rehab as well....

Is that weird??? Oh well......

[Ryduce]

The Bell Jar

Suicide....Rehab.....Rebirth.....




That would suit your fancy.

[chmpman]

There's a short story by an American woman, I can't remember who, that although it's not set inside a mental institute, it's about a woman who goes insane while in a room for prescribed rest. It's called "The Yellow Wall-Paper". The last name of the author may be Gilman. It also has feminist undertones.

[EAP]

Charlotte Perkins Gilman.

[Xamonas Chegwe]

The K-Pax trilogy - Gene Brewer

[genoveva]

The K-Pax trilogy - Gene Brewer

Hey! Didn't they make a movie out of that with Kevin Spacey? I didn't know it was based on a trilogy...cool.

[Aurora Ariel]

The first ones that came to mind have already been mentioned above. The Bell Jar- I couldn't put it down on the first read about two years ago. Highly recommended, especially if you are already well acquainted with Plath's poetry and an admirer of her work. I've read criticism about this book, but it remains one of my favourites. I really connected with the dark wit. I thought it was one of the most poetically black and beautiful, humorous and disturbing books I've ever read. There's another one (thought I have I only read an excellent review and interview with the author), which is meant to be quite well written, about a boy who grows up with a mother who is unfortunately institutionalized; and he has all of these subsequent problems in different homes and with his mother's boyfriend ( I think who sexually abuses him) - anyway it's partially based on his own real life story, and he gave a highly absorbing interview about the difficulties and how he came to write about it; and when asks to recommend a book he choose The Bell Jar. I'm actually trying to find the article, from early last year, so I can look out for the book. And of course, One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest, by Ken Kesey, is already quite well known because it was also made into a popular horror film, which came out in 1975 and starred Jack Nicholson, though I would suggest that one always reads the book first. I think there have been a couple of stage adaptations in recent years as well. And I haven't actually read Girl, Interrupted so I can't help you there. Despite the often grimm and psychologically confronting accounts, I truly hope you take care! Good luck with your reading!