Meg Kissinger is the fourth oldest in a family with eight children. All of the children spent most of their childhood in Wilmette, Illinois. Her parents were alcoholics and her mother suffered bouts of depression. Her father could be lots of fun, but he also could be physically abusive. He was bipolar. It is not surprising that all eight Kissinger children had emotional problems. Even though there were many traumas experienced by Meg’s family, it was always covered up and never discussed.

I’m not sure why I could not put this book down. Perhaps because it happened in a Chicago suburb next to mine or maybe because this family has many advantages but mental illness got in the way. Meg Kissinger’s memoir is also a plea for more help and understanding for the mentally ill as well as the need for families to discuss their problems rather than ignore them. Because she is reporter, her writing is clear, well written and pretty objective.