Renowned for her insightful portrayals of complex neurological and psychological conditions, Lisa Genova delivers another masterful novel! Seamlessly blending science with storytelling, she crafts an emotionally rich narrative that lingers long after the final page.
More or Less Maddy is a raw explorational of bipolar disorder, through the eyes of a young student. We are introduced to 20 year old Maddy during a time of turmoil - she’s reeling from a breakup, overwhelmed by academic pressures and feeling like a misfit in her perfect family.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, isn’t it? But Maddy's latest low plunges her into darkness, prompting her to start taking antidepressants. At first, she begins to feel better, but she’s soon swept into a dramatic whirlwind of euphoric mania.
During her first manic episode, Maddy engages in impulsive sexual encounters, masses thousands of dollars of debt, is convinced she’s working with Taylor Swift and writing a comedy special for Netflix! This wild high has devastating consequences and ultimately leads to a life-altering diagnosis: bipolar disorder.
Maddy’s decision to pursue stand-up comedy is a powerful narrative choice. The stage becomes a metaphor for her life, a space where vulnerability is unavoidable and she must navigate the fine line between humour and pain. The scenes of Maddy honing her craft are inspiring, showing glimpses of her resilience and the catharsis comedy provides.
Lisa’s background as a neuroscientist adds credibility, but the story remains deeply personal and relatable, never veering into clinical detachment. Her writing is accessible, without oversimplifying or romanticising the disorder. She delves into the impact of bipolar disorder not just on Maddy, but also her family and friends. She also explores themes of identity, self-discovery and acceptance.
“As both a neuroscientist fascinated by neurological conditions and a novelist interested in our shared human condition, I choose to write about people who tend to be ignored, feared and misunderstood because of what’s going on inside their brains. People who actually live with these conditions see themselves in the characters I create and feel, maybe for the first time,that they are not alone.”
“In doing research for this story, I was struck by the massive and unnecessary burdens of this diagnosis - the secrecy, stigma, shame, judgement, fear, alienation, desperation and misinformation - maybe more than any subject I‘ve written about. I hope this novel helps to humanise this disorder, that it paints a nuanced and compassionate picture of what it feels like to live with bipolar, that it becomes a vehicle for open conversation, understanding, and social change.”
“As soon as I opened the door to this world, it seemed that bipolar disorder was hiding in plain sight everywhere. An estimated forty-six million people worldwide have bipolar disorder.”
This is one of the most compelling books I’ve read this year. Much like Lisa’s previous bestseller Still Alice, it’s a story that feels destined for the big screen, and I can’t wait to see it brought to life in the future. Lisa Genova is an American neuroscientist and author. Follow Lisa Genova online.
Reviewer: Andrea Molloy
Allen & Unwin