Love in the Asylum

Lisa's provocative (in a good way) story-telling made this book an interesting & easy read. The characters' thoughts, gestures, and interactions are believable, and I quickly got comfortable with each one. Of course, living in Maine myself, I kept trying to imagine the various places described throughout the story (what bookstore was used as inspiration?), which distracted my reading, but was entertaining nonetheless! Great read.

Alba is crazy. She's been institutionalized off and on since she was fifteen. Oscar is an addict. He doesn't believe he's hit rock bottom or think that his using of drugs is a problem. These two people meet when both are committed to Abenaki Hospital in rural Maine. From their first meeting, a spark of something that could take them both beyond their troubles appears. Is it possible to find love in the asylum?

This book was not quite what I expected as I got further into it. Alba and Oscar are both very real and interesting characters, but I found the story's strength in the intertwining narrative of Mary X. At first, I was put off by what I saw as an intrusion in the story of Alba and Oscar but soon, I changed my tune. The Mary X story show more was incredibly unique and interesting and, I think, ended up a stronger story than that of Alba and Oscar. I was happy that Alba stumbled upon Mary X's story and used it to propel her own story further. Well done, but lacks some polish. Will probably read other Lisa Carey in the future. show less

Aardig boek, leest lekker weg (heb de Nederlandse vertaling gelezen). Niet zo bijzonder als ik had gehoopt, maar de personages zijn geweldig. Het plot wordt op een gegeven moment een beetje saai.

A well-written book, at times dark, at times humorous with very believable characters. Ms Carey deals with the issues of mental illness with good insight and empathy.

lba's crazy. Oscar's a druggie.Nevertheless, in spite of all their problems, perhaps because of alltheir problems, Alba and Oscar meet at the mental hospital and fallin love.I like books about mental illness. I like books about redemption andhealing. And I like books with a little romance in there somewhere.This book has all of these.

a moving relationship between a mentally ill children's book writer and a drug addict. fascinating story-within-the-story

Awesome! Very highly recommended.