Is There No Place on Earth for Me?

By Susan Sheehan

Book Overview

PULITZER PRIZE WINNER - The renowned journalist's classic investigation of schizophrenia that follows a flamboyant and fiercely intelligent young woman as she struggles in the throes of mental illness.

"The classic case study of schizophrenia that set the stage for reform. . . . Its insight, compassion, and humanity have much to teach us." --Andrew Solomon, author of The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression

"Sylvia Frumkin" was born in 1948 and began showing signs of schizophrenia in her teens. She spent the next seventeen years in and out of mental institutions. In 1978, reporter Susan Sheehan took an interest in her and, for more than two years, became immersed in her life: talking with her, listening to her monologues, sitting in on consultations with doctors--even, for a period, sleeping in the bed next to her in a psychiatric center. With Sheehan, we become witness to Sylvia's plight: her psychotic episodes, the medical struggle to control her symptoms, and the overburdened hospitals that, more often than not, she was obliged to call home.

The resulting book, first published in 1982, was hailed as an extraordinary achievement: harrowing, humanizing, moving, and bitingly funny. Now, decades later, Is There No Place on Earth for Me? continues to set the standard for accounts of mental illness.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0804169187
• ISBN13: 9780804169189
• Release Date: January 2014
• Publisher: Vintage
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.1" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Insightful and Well Written

Sheehan gives an objective and interesting view of schizophrenia and institutionalization. Her writing is funny and engaging.

Is There No Place On Earth For Me?

I am a soon to be 16 year old student, studying at an International School in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I am currently enroled in an Abnormal Psychology Class and read this book for one of our final examinations. This book is basically about a young woman by the name of Silvia Fumpkin. Silvia's life is quite dramatic as we follow her through her battle with schizophrenia. From her ups and downs, we see what types of deviant behaviors schizophrenics participate in. From stripping off her clothes, to attempting to swallow an ashtray are scenes we see in this book. Through out the book we also see Silvia being admitted from hospital to hopital and the switch from medication to medication. Due to her illness, she shares the pain of being in a Jewish family and bringing shame on to her family. Her behavior at times is very interesting as you observe how she thinks she's Jesus one minute and Paul Macartney's wife the next minute. Although there are times where you may feel like the pages just seem to go on and on, this book is most definately a good read hence I strongly encourage readers who are interested in schizophrenia to read this book. Not only is it an interesting read but you learn so much about those who suffer from schizophrenia as well as the way society treats or acts towards schizophrenics.

Is There No Place on Earth for Me?

Susan Sheehan chronicles the shuffling of Sylvia Frumkin through New York's mental health system. Ms. Frumkin is a very smart schizophrenic, and her monologues had me laughing out loud while reading this book. Sheehan tells Sylvia's story in a very matter-of-fact way, which adds to the humor--yet never detracts from the story's sincerity.

A Look Inside the Mind of a Schizophrenic

"Is There No Place on Earth For Me" is a telling tale of the life of a Schizophrenic. Sheehan goes inside the mind of the character to explore the inner workings and provide detailed accounts of what life is like for someone suffering with Schizophrenia and the hell their life can become. Sheehan at one point, even slept in the bed next to her character in the mental institution. This act assures not only a detailed account, but also an accurate one. Sheehan reinforces the old saying...Don't knock Charlie till you walked a mile in his shoes! This book takes you through many miles in a Schizophrenics shoes. It extricates vivid details of the inner mind and its workings. This is a book you will never forget. After reading this story, you will never look at mental illness in the same light again.