|
Publisher:
Regan Books (Harper Collins) |
Release
Date: April 6, 1999 |
ISBN:
0060987561 [Reprint] |
Awards:
I Know This Much Is True was a
finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Awards Art Seidenbaum
Prize for First Edition, a #1 New York Times bestseller, a New
York Times Book Review "Notable Books of the Year"
and an Oprah's Book Club selection |
Format
Reviewed: Paperback |
Buy
it at Amazon |
Read
an Excerpt |
Genre:
Fiction [Contemporary] |
Reviewed:
2004 |
Reviewer:
Lynda E. Lukow |
Reviewer
Notes: The amputation scene is a bit gory. |
Copyright
MyShelf.com |
|
I Know This Much Is True
By Wally Lamb
After his identical twin
publicly amputates his own hand, Dominick Birdsey's control over
his conflicting emotions begins to slip. While striving to protect
his brother from Connecticut's antiquated mental health system,
he is forced to face his own demons; an illusive mother, an unknown
biological father, an abusive stepfather and his divorce after his
daughter's death have had traumatic effects on his psyche. His grandfather's
autobiography, presented by his dying mother, further complicates
Dominick's need to understand his life.
Mr. Lamb is a master of
characterizations. Dominick is likeable despite his passive-aggression,
which is rooted in his guilt for remaining healthy and strong, coupled
with his fear that mental illness could strike at any time. The
author's portrayal of a schizophrenic is uncannily accurate. Goals,
motivations and conflicts are crystal clear for everyone in the
large cast.
Never before has
this reviewer read a book that so well enmeshes the past's effect
on the present. Though intricate, the author leaves nothing unexplained,
and readers would be well advised to not discount any character
or event's importance, no matter how insignificant the details seem
at the time.
My only grievance with
the novel is the stereotypical view of mental health hospitals and
their employees. As a former psychiatric aide in a similar facility,
I take umbrage at the portrayal of my fictional counterpart; not
all aides are distant or self-serving, nor are all facilities as
brutally cold or unsafe as Hatch. I would hate for readers to not
seek assistance because they confuse fiction with fact.
Despite
that objection, I Know This Much Is True is an intense
and fulfilling adventure into the human mind. I highly recommend
this novel and anticipate future works by Mr. Lamb.
|