Overtaken by Insanity - by Louise Killifer & Lois Martin (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Jane's mental illness and selfish disrespect for her younger siblings created perplexing lives for them. This true rendition reveals Louise and Lois' antagonized lives as they struggle to live normally, surrounded by Jane's calamities and inappropriate behavior. Jane was well read and very intelligent but displayed a caustic presence making her a social outcast. Jane believed by being the firstborn, she was entitled to an exalted status of superiority. She tormented her second born sister, Louise, routinely through bullying and physical abuse, though paying little attention to her baby sister, Lois. As a teenager, Jane was formally diagnosed with several forms of mental illness. She had always craved being in the spotlight and monopolized their mother's attention. Once diagnosed, Jane received even more time and attention than previously. Growing up with Jane was challenging for Louise and Lois, but the true challenge came for them upon the death of their mother when avoidance of Jane was not possible and the complications of her erratic behavior went unchecked.

Review Quotes

"Fans of books like A Beautiful Mind or The Quiet Room will appreciate this account of people living with schizophrenia and the loved ones that are affected by their mental Illness. Additionally, this would resonate with readers who liked Jeannette Walls' The Glass Castle about her eccentric and emotionally unstable family."

"Killifer and Martin are direct, detailed, and painstakingly honest-requirements for any interesting autobiography (...) there are no easy answers for dealing with mentally imbalanced loved ones. Still, this sometimes painful retelling of the family's struggles is a gift to society because it sheds light on a subject not often discussed."

"It is not an easy book to read-or, no doubt, to write. But it is a wellcrafted story that will be deeply touching to many readers as you follow two girls going from childhood to adulthood trying to navigate the difficult and complex situations that Jane puts them in (...) As Louise stated, 'You can't fix the situation and you can't feel guilty. You just have to go with it and do your best.'"