Summary Of Girl Interrupted By Susanna Kaysen

From Beyond the Struggles: A Literacy Narrative
Looking back at my childhood, I can tell you things were not as they seem. As a child, many of my neighbors assumed my sibling and I were perfectly happy spending hours outside playing around the neighborhood. However, this is not true, I would have preferred to be hidden in the corner of my bedroom curled up with a Judy Bloom or Hardy Boys book away from the constant battling between my brothers and sister. When I was in the third grade my mother whom I loved so much, started locking us out of the house. Reading or doing homework was an impossible task to accomplish when you are stranded outside. When I was younger, I always took an interest in people and their behavior. I always wanted to know
what was wrong with someone if they were upset. Since I had this interest my father told me that I would have been a good psychologist. I have always been fascinated with people’s behavior and their reaction to real-life events. Since I was stuck outside, I figured I would make the best of it, trying to learn other people’s behaviors.
One fall afternoon, I noticed my cousin Kimmie whom was nine years old walking her bike down the sidewalk crying. My mother told me she probably fell off her bike, she was just learning how to ride. I could relate to the struggles since I was only seven years old trying to learn also. I fell a lot trying to keep up with my siblings and peers. Something seemed different this time though; I went over to her and asked her if she was all right. Kimmie told me that it was not because she fell off the bike, and insisted I would not understand why she was so upset. I begged her to please tell me what was wrong. It took some persuading, (me sharing my candy with her) but finally she told me that Robbie the kid down the street has been picking on her. Since I had an older brother and sister I knew how to stand up for myself. I assured her that if would not happen again. The next day while walking home from school together, Robbie stated to confront us, calling us names. I told him it was not nice to be calling us names, and that we would tell his parents that she was picking on us again. This did not seem to faze him in the least bit; He told us his parents would never believe us since we were much younger than him. Kimmie and I thought it would be best for our parents to call Robbie’s parents and discuss the bullying, from then on whenever we would walk by Robbie’s house his parents would always give a warm wave to us. I never figured out why Robbie acted this was but I was relieved that his behavior changed.
One hot summer day my other cousin Ediju was in his back yard crying, holding his hand I noticed him from my backyard since we lived next door to each other. I went over to see what was wrong, my aunt told me that he was fine he was playing with rocks and probably hit his hand. Something did not seem right in my eyes, I have never seen him cry so much when he was playing demolition derby with his matchbox cars. I went over to him to see what was the matter, immediately he told me to go away. I was very persistent as a child when I noticed someone was hurt. I went inside, grabbed a bag of ice and brought it to him. Right away he resisted my help, but he showed me his hand. There was a stinger from a bee was stuck in his hand, with my dirty hands I plucked out the stinger. He was relieved; telling me it did not hurt anymore once I took the stinger out.
As an adult, I finally got the chance to take advantage of a stable home environment, finally getting the chance to read when I want too. My favorite styles of books are memoirs, I love reading about people’s life, hearing their stories, and how they overcome huge obstacles. Some of my favorites books included “Girl Interrupted” written by Susanna Kaysen, “Angela’s Ashes” written by Frank McCourt and the “Glass Castel” written by Jeanette Walls. I have purchased the book named “Battle Ready” by Mark Donald but I have not had the chance to ready it yet. I’m not entirely sure that I should ready it until after my oldest son (Jason) is done with his military obligations. I believe it might hit to close to home since he’s in the Special Forces and the story details his encounters as a seal warrior medic. I also enjoy ready Stuart Woods’s books containing the character Stone Barrington. His writing amazes me how detailed he writes about crimes and the environment they take place in. As I read these stories composed by Stuart Woods I notice all the specific details, I can appreciate all the research he must have done to compose his stories.
When I was in my twenties, I regularly went to Borders Book store located in Manchester, I loved that store, and it reminded me of a library with all new books.
I wandered up and down the isles; often taking a seat reading may of the introductions or prefaces of books. I came across the book "Girl Interrupted" by Susanna Kaysen, this book immediately fascinated me. I was introduced to the protagonist named Susanna, whom is sent to a psychiatric hospital when she was just 18 years old. I was lured into this book because my sister was admitted a couple of times to a psychiatric hospital. I learned that the reason why Kaysen was sent there was because her parents believed was a troubled teen-ager. Some of the circumstances that have lead them to come to this conclusion, was because she did affair with her English teacher; dropped out of school, and even tried to commit suicide. While my sister didn’t have an affair with her English teacher they are similarities between their two stories. I was surprised to learn that Kaysen never anticipated to spend an extended period at the hospital, however was there almost two years in the institution. Kaysen narrated the memoir, and tells us about some of the patients and acquaintances that were admitted at the institution while she was there. Kaysen struggled in the institution until she finally gets a diagnosis. The diagnosis is that she had a borderline personality disorder. My sister never got diagnosed with any type of mental disorders; I believe that the constant moving was a result of our moving constantly. I had a greater appreciation for what my sister experienced once I read this book. The best part of the book was seen at the end of the story how she is able to reconnect with a couple of her friends from the
institution.
While visiting my aunt down in Old Lyme I stopped into the Book Barn located in Niantic. This place smelled a little musty, but searching the isles is almost like a treasure hunt. As I wandered down the rows I came across a book that looked old, however it was released in the 1990’s. On the cover of the book, it shows a picture of a little boy standing in front of a dilapidated building. I was instantly drawn to this book being displayed on the shelf. As I read the information, realizing it was another memoir, I had to buy it, best five dollars I spent that summer! The story "Angela's Ashes" is written by Frank McCourt, he tells us about his horrible home life. This story takes place I believe in the 1930s. I loved the fact that this took place around the same time my grandparents would have migrated to the United States. Frank McCourt’s family migrated to New York, but after tough times they need to relocate back to their homeland Ireland. Frank the author and main character is the oldest of their children. Things don't go as smoothly as the family anticipated, after the death of his newborn sister, they decided they need to move back to Ireland to be reunited with their family. Things don't get any better both of his twin brother’s die shortly after they arrive. Frank's father is in alcoholic; he neglects his children on a regular basis. The family was poverty-stricken, depressed and living in unbearable conditions. Frank's was an ambitious young man and had a dream to someday move