Paulina Grych - "Schiza"

Title: Schizo Author: Paulina Grych Genre: social novel Medical topic: schizophrenia, mental disorders Year of publication: 2008 Description: How can one distinguish schizophrenics from the “healthy”? This story about the private lives of people with schizophrenia offers a glimpse into the recesses of their thoughts, into secrets that rarely come to light, hidden away in an anonymous prefab apartment block. Unflinchingly and in detail—and when necessary, even crudely—the author tells stories that are painfully sad and true. She talks about sex and virginity, about toxic alcohol and a toxic family, about pseudo-love and abortion, dragging all the dirt into the light of day.  One might be tempted to say—thank goodness it’s just a book. But this is life. Quite gray and unpredictable, how easy it is to get lost in it, how easy it is to go mad. And where will the madwoman find a safe haven, a helping hand, where will she find support and the illusion of love? In her psychotherapist, in imaginary angels, in people like herself?