Stalking Irish Madness: Searching for the Roots of My Family's Schizophrenia Book

Last year I read 136 books, and I have to say this was my top pick for the best book of 2008, and I also have to say, it is probably the book that has had the most influence on my life. And I've read thousands of books in my life, both in English, Spanish, and even in Italian.

The best books have many levels to them. Patrick Tracey's book tells the story of his search for the roots of the schizophrenia in his family. It is a journey through Ireland. Patrick Tracey is an amazing writer, and once you pick up this book you won't be able to put it down until you finish it. It is sad, and might make you cry; but what makes it my top pick of all books of all time (so far) is he is an inspiration, and he educates people. He helped me to accept my half Irish/half Lebanese family for what it was. I think all of us feel ashamed for something in our family trees, alcoholism, mental illness, child abuse, whatever, and he showed me that if he could accept what he has had to accept about his family, and work through his own struggles and still survive. We all can. This book should be on the New York Times Best Sellers list, I don't know why it isn't. And you should go buy it. This is a book you will want to keep. And you don't have to have schizophrenia in your family, or be Irish for you to enjoy this book. It has changed what I thought about schizophrenia, as well as other mental illnesses, and it has made me more aware, and more sensitive to everyone, and their families who suffer from mental illness.

There is still so much stigma associated with schizophrenia. Society is still so ignorant and insensitive towards not only schizophrenics and their families but to other people who are suffering from other mental illnesses as well. I am hoping that people will read this book, and change their attitudes towards mental illness.

When I finished reading this book I felt very grateful to Patrick Tracey for having had the courage to tell his, and his family's story to the world, and he inspired me to accept my family for exactly what it is. It led me to talk to my mother about all of our relatives on both sides of the family, because my mother is the last one left of her generation. And I hope it will inspire other people to do the same in their families. You have to stop feeling ashamed of your family, and start accepting it for what it is, whatever that involves. As they say, the truth will set you free.

The best books entertain, enlighten, inspire, and educate. And Patrick Tracey's book does all these things. Go buy it, and read it now, and don't be afraid of the title.

I think a lot of people are afraid of this book. I think they are afraid that it is one of those sad, tragic, poor me memoirs. It is not. Yes, it is heartbreaking what Patrick Tracey has had to endure, but at the end of the day, his book will not depress you and make you wallow in despair, he will enlighten and inspire you to accept yourself, your family, and whatever issues that you and your own family have had to deal with, and you will never look at schizophrenia in the same way again.