As time since we graduated school continues to fly by, it gets increasingly more difficult to get our group of girlfriends together. We’ve been chatting for months about establishing a regular get-together, and have finally picked a book, put a date on the calendar, and started a book club. Of course, we’ll read and discuss the monthly book, but it’s also a great excuse to regularly catch up, share a bottle of wine, and try out a new appetizer recipe. We wanted to share this monthly gathering with all of you, too — so we’ll share what we’re reading at the beginning of every month, and post a brief review once we’ve finished. We’d love to hear your thoughts along the way as well!
This month we read, “Girl, Interrupted” by Susanna Kaysen. It’s a memoir, telling the story of when Susanna, at 18 years old, was sent to McLean Hospital, a psychiatric ward, for 2 years in the late 60s. She spares no detail, telling stories of the women she lived with and got to know, and the practices the hospital used to “heal” the patients. In a voice that reminded me of “The Bell Jar,” (which is coincidental, because Sylvia Plath also stayed at McLean Hospital) Susanna painted a clear picture of the internal battle that she, and many of the other young women in the hospital, was fighting in trying to understand and come to terms with her mental illness.
The book is pretty short and draws you in quickly, so it’s a fast read. It was also made into a movie a few years ago — watching that is another get-together that needs to be planned.
Has anyone else read this one? What are your thoughts?
We’ll keep you updated on next month’s book,
XX,
H & A
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