What does a first-born son do when he hears voices? One child may disconnect from family, drift into antisocial behavior and eventually violence. Another may take to the pen, paint, play music, or find an art form where they can expel the noise. This book is about the life and eventual death of one such son. The story is told through his outlet, poetry and his mom's soul searching and eventually cathartic memoir. Fred Eustis writes in his introduction, "Poetry was a sword he used to defend himself against the voices..." Jeanne's memoir puts these poems which at times are quite unsettling, in a family context. She is every mom, who is doing the best they can for their offspring, and on a very profound level, this is every family's story.
"The book is also about sharing; learning how to know each other and how to find our own selves in that knowing. It is like a quest in which Jeanne and Robert explore who they are, what they came here for, and what really... More > matters." Fred Eustis.< Less
"Mom Let's Talk" I laughed...I cried...I got a glimpse of how a schizophrenic lived. I also found out how a family struggled and supported each other through it all. A very well written book.
I was very touched by this book. It makes you stop and think about how you treat others. I send my thoughts and prayers to the entire family. I also believe that Robert is in a better place and that there is much comfort in believing this. God Bless!
"Mom Let's Talk" This if a facinating story of family life, struggles, and support that embraces the human spirit when it is most challenged with schizophrenia. The Poems give us insight to a struggling mind and the chaos and choices that must be made on a daily basis. I could not put the book down.
