hidden valley road – Cannonball Read 17

Behind the Veil of Perfection

Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert Kolker

April 24, 2022 by LittlePlat Leave a Comment

This is a book that’s going to stay with me for a while. In Hidden Valley Road, Robert Kolker details the story of the Galvins: A family of twelve children, made up of 10 boys and two younger girls. And in the first part of the book, we learn how six of those 10 boys, six went on to develop a form of schizophrenia. The eldest of these boys, Don Jr, was born at the closing of WW2. An average student but a rather enthusiastic […]

“And so I was crushed,” Mimi said. “Because I thought I was such a good mother. I baked a cake and a pie every night. Or at least had Jell-O with whipped cream.” #CBRBINGO – Book Club

Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker

October 31, 2021 by narfna Leave a Comment

This was an intense read, but very engaging. If you are interested in reading about mental health, and the history of mental health, this is a must-read. The author, Robert Kolker, was introduced to two sisters, Margaret and Lindsay (formerly Mary) Galvin, who wanted someone to document and tell the story of their family in an unbiased and informative way. The Galvins were a family of fourteen: twelve children (ten boys and two girls) and two parents, Mimi and Don. The oldest child, Donald, was […]

Each Unhappy Family is Unhappy in Its Own Way

Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert Kolker

July 11, 2021 by Ellesfena Leave a Comment

Bingo category: Rep Don and Mimi Galvin had twelve children, ten boys and two girls. Six of their sons were diagnosed with schizophrenia. In Hidden Valley Road, Robert Kolker tells the Galvins’ story, as well as exploring the history of schizophrenia research and treatment, and its current state. The resulting book is fascinating and incredibly depressing. The story mostly centers on the two daughters, Margaret and Lindsay, who are also the two youngest children in the family. It’s clear that Kolker primarily spoke to these […]

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