readers advisory for all discussion

So, im looking for an asylum or mental institution setting, specifically. It doesn't have to be creepy or wildly horror. This time around i'd like the ghost theme to not be involved. I am still looking for fiction, and im still looking for more of a darker essence, but more in conditions, rather than scariness (although conditions and scariness may go hand and hand). I hope i explained myself as best as possible.

For a reference, too loud to see too bright to hear is on the lightest side that i would like any recommendations to be (his institutionalization). Unquiet mind is another example of a non-fiction book, that if turned into a fiction book would be a prime example of what im looking for. But its about the horrors (perhaps historical) that would make these books chilling. Im assuming that the date of the book or context would be around the 1970s or later, only because thats when these settings were the most atrocious, but any date, character, gender, is fine .

Are you looking for fiction or are you open to non-fiction as well? While An Unquiet Mind is definitely one of the best I have read, I am certain I can come up with at least one or two otpoisonwoodhers. It's a subject that is deeply personal to me.

Shutter Island (LeHane) is more of a psychological, scary stuff inside your own head, sort. But it fits kind of, what you're looking for.

I have shutter island. Haven't read it. I watched the movie first.... Hopefully that won't impact the read. I like the inside the head horror and the psych theme. Thanks

Denae... Sure. If it's non fiction I'd like to stay in the bipolar area

Other than An Unquiet Mind, I have read very little about bipolar disorder. I spent several years stubbornly avoiding the diagnosis. Since accepting it I have not really sought out much literature about it. I would gladly take any recommendations.

The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and Other Clinical Tales has quite a few stories set in various asylums, but is most likely not as creepy in the way you mean as you want. Asylum: Inside the Closed World of State Mental Hospitals is beautiful and haunting. There is another book about abandoned possessions left by mental hospital patients. I cannot remember the name, but will look it up if it interests you.

For fiction, The Master and Margarita has an asylum as a key setting. It's an excellent book all around.

oh thanks for the recs! copied and pasted all of them. what did you mean by two otpoisonwoodhers.?


I dont know if this link will work http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/... but i have tons of books on bipolar disorder. (havent read them so i cant recommend them either way, but i heard really good things about each. if it doesnt work you can click on 'bipolar inside out' on my shelves.)

oh and Too Bright to Hear Too Loud to See is a must must read

oh and btw Asylum: Inside the Closed World of State Mental Hospitals looks brilliant!!! im totally on it.

Oh, that was supposed to be two others. I am on my tablet, so it looks like a cut & paste issue.

Oh I can relate. My phone has a mind of its own.

If you haven’t read them already, try the Red Dragon trilogy (yes… the Silence of the Lambs / Hannibal series). It’s Hannibal Lecter at his worst in and out of the institutions. Happy Reading!

Claire wrote: " If you haven’t read them already, try the Red Dragon trilogy (yes… the Silence of the Lambs / Hannibal series). It’s Hannibal Lecter at his w..."

you know whats really horrible? i read them all and i loved the movies compared to the books... its the weirdest thing, and not how i typically react to the movie versus book. Im always one to side with the book.

but as far as a rec goes, its perfect.....

Starvation Heights: A True Story of Murder and Malice in the Woods of the Pacific Northwest by Gregg Olsen does not take place in an asylum but it is definitely creepy, mental and sinister. It is a true story that has haunted me since I read the book a couple years ago.

peg wrote: "Starvation Heights: A True Story of Murder and Malice in the Woods of the Pacific Northwest by Gregg Olsen does not take place in an asylum but it is definitely creepy, mental and sinister. It is a..."

"a sanitorium in the forests of the Pacific Northwest to undergo the revolutionary “fasting treatment” ".... close.... enough! thanks you!!

"Doctors" and "patients" are definitely involved :-)

im totally thrilled! thanks again. this is perfect... and its real which makes it even weirder/creeper... but its not like an autobio or bio so thats also good. i needed a change.

peg wrote: "Starvation Heights: A True Story of Murder and Malice in the Woods of the Pacific Northwest by Gregg Olsen does not take place in an asylum but it is definitely creepy, mental and sinister. It is a..."

I just added it to my "to read" list, as well. Thanks!

Claire wrote: "peg wrote: "Starvation Heights: A True Story of Murder and Malice in the Woods of the Pacific Northwest by Gregg Olsen does not take place in an asylum but it is definitely creepy, mental and sinis..."

it looks like a winner. people have really harshly (but honestly, i suppose) critiqued it on goodreads. I read a few pages, and it has a certain remote, maybe even older style to it... but it looks thrilling and i cant wait, as many have commented, for the nightmares. looks like a true scare.

I will wait for your review,Jason.

I think there are plans to make Starvation Heights into a movie, if they haven't already.

peg wrote: "I will wait for your review,Jason.

I think there are plans to make Starvation Heights into a movie, if they haven't already."

hmmm... yes well it seems slightly 'longish' for my taste. i know it sounds ignorant/arrogant, but I'm a stickler for under 350 pages. I really like to read slowly these days, take everything in, and enjoy it. given a busy schedule its a bit hard to take in anything larger than 300/350...at least until summer.. with that said this one looks terrifying.. .like craw under your skin terrifying.

Have you read Patrick McGrath's book, The Asylum? I have it sitting in my TBR pile but haven't gotten around to it yet. That novel has received some positive reviews.

peg wrote: "Have you read Patrick McGrath's book, The Asylum? I have it sitting in my TBR pile but haven't gotten around to it yet. That novel has received some positive reviews."

it was one of the new i abandoned. I didn't really like the writing style. I have been told that Spider has a certain degree of terror, and that though the writing style is different, Spider has marked its space outside of the similarities between the two novels. I may approach it later on, though and see about a re-read.

Riven Rock by T C Boyle and Quitting the Nairobi Trio by Jim Knipfel are also interesting books about mental hospitals. Both books are based on true stories.

peg wrote: "Riven Rock by T C Boyle and Quitting the Nairobi Trio by Jim Knipfel are also interesting books about mental hospitals. Both books are based on true stories."


oh brilliant! added to my list(S). they seem to meet this thread, too! I think that i take back the 'i dont want non fiction' claim.... ALL the ones that i have liked so far (the suggestions i liked) are all based on—at the very least— some sort of real life experience!

thanks again... i may have to pick up Quitting the Nairobi Trio right away! and the other one too.

It looks like we have a lot of books in common, Jason. I'm going to follow your reviews:-)

peg wrote: "It looks like we have a lot of books in common, Jason. I'm going to follow your reviews:-)"

ditto

Pretty popular, so you may have read it, but what about One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"?

Renee wrote: "Pretty popular, so you may have read it, but what about One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"?"

no actually! and i havent seen the movie either, so it isnt totally destroyed for me.. ill check it out, thanks!


i had it listed as "read" but i def didnt.. at least not since like middle school/high school....

I just started reading it & like you, I haven't seen the movie.

So far I really enjoy & don't want to put it down!

I don't know if you're interested in Young Adult fiction, but I can highly recommend Brother to Dragons, Companion to Owls, at least some of which is set in an asylum (in a dystopian future). It has strong characters, unusual depictions of mental illnesses (not always 100% realistic, but also not ... stereotypical, if that makes sense?), and a quick-moving plot are the high points of this book. (It's also written in the 1st person perspective, which for some people can be a drawback, just so you know. I generally don't mind, and I thought the author did a good job pulling it off here.)

Anyways, hope it fits your criteria!

hey, i just found this list on here:

http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/23...

if you are still looking...

karen! wonderful! thank you thank you.

Wildthorn
A Red Flower: A Story

Anna wrote: "Wildthorn
A Red Flower: A Story"

! thanks!!!