There is very little written from the perspective of siblings of chronic, mentally ill individuals. This book documents the perplexing lives experienced by Jane's two younger sisters, striving to live their own lives while inundated with Jane's calamities and inappropriate behavior. Jane was well read and very intelligent but displayed a caustic presence making her a social outcast among her peers. Jane believed that being the first born, provided her an exalted status of superiority. She tormented her second born sister, Louise, routinely through bullying and physical abuse. Louise was the opposite of Jane, who tried to avoid conflict. She preferred to be left alone to play with her dolls and her adorable baby sister, Lois.
As a teenager, Jane was formally diagnosed with several forms of mental illness. She had always craved being in the spotlight and monopolized their mother's attention. Once diagnosed, Jane pulled even more time and attention from her sisters. Growing up with Jane was challenging for Louise and Lois, but the true challenge came for them upon the death of their mother when avoidance of Jane was not possible and the complications of her erratic behavior went unchecked.
Book Review Highlights:
for Seasons of Insanity
"Fans of books like A Beautiful Mind or The Quiet Room will appreciate this account of people living with schizophrenia and the loved ones that are affected by their mental illness. Additionally, this would resonate with readers who liked Jeannette Walls' The Glass Castle about her eccentric and emotionally unstable family."
-Pacific Book Review, by Ella Vincent
"Killifer and Martin are direct, detailed, and painstakingly honest-requirements for any interesting autobiography. . . . there are no easy answers for dealing with mentally imbalanced loved ones. Still, this sometimes painful retelling of the family's struggles is a gift to society because it sheds light on a subject not often discussed."
-The US Review of Books, by Toby Berry
"It is not an easy book to read-or, no doubt, to write. But it is a well-crafted story that will be deeply touching to many readers as you follow two girls going from childhood to adulthood trying to navigate the difficult and complex situations that Jane puts them in . . . As Louise stated, 'You can't fix the situation and you can't feel guilty. You just have to go with it and do your best.'"
-The Pagosa Springs (Colorado) SUN, by Carole Howard
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