Customer Reviews

Five Lost Years: A Personal Exploration of Schizophrenia (Literature of Patient Response)

5 star:		(3)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Christina is a beautiful and gifted writer. The chapters are short and she recalls the horrid experiences of her psychotic episodes, yet at the same time, she tells stories of some aspects of the episodes that in hindsight make you smile.

She is forthright and frank about her experiences with a man she had been "in love" with. I am proud of this book because as a schizophrenic myself, living in Pennsylvania, I'd always been led to assume that schizophrenics are NOT beautiful and smart, but Christina proves otherwise with her book. I would like to read more about Christina's life experiences. I enjoyed reading words of someone who has gone through similar experiences as I.

Five Lost Years is that rarest of things--an articulate first person account of life with schizophrenia. The author, Christina Alexandra, experiences horror and delusions, but also unrequited infatuations (not unlike us). Despite her illness, she manages to become a Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader (or "Liberty-Belle"), as well as take courses at Cornell University. Five Lost Years dispels a lot of stereotypes about severe mental illness. For one, Ms. Alexandra is no dummy. Secondly, she is actually quite glamorous (something not usually associated with schizophrenia!). The book closes with an upbeat Christian message, with the intricacies of her "witness" elaborated in the Afterward. This book should be of interest to anyone (patient, doctor, or family) associated with schizophrenia.

Ten years ago I fall in a mystical delirium in Philadelphia the day of the Christmas day. Nobody couldn't believe that I will work one day. Today I am working as computer engineer in peace with the Love from God in my heart like you. I will bring back to you all the joy you have give to me by reading your book. You are not alone in this world and me too now.

A French "schizophrenic"

This book was slow and boring. It could not hold one's interest. It is a fast read, thank god. I know a little about schrizophrenia and that is why I was interested in the book. But it didn't hold my interest, you couldn't keep up with the story line. I am glad I got it as a present and didn't spend the money on the book.