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Book Tour // My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward by Mark Lukach

May 16, 2017 Crystal // Dreams, etc. 6 comments
Book Tour // My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward by Mark Lukach


Note – I received a copy of this book from the publisher through TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward

Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Harper Wave (May 2, 2017)

A heart-wrenching, yet hopeful, memoir of a young marriage that is redefined by mental illness and affirms the power of love.

Mark and Giulia’s life together began as a storybook romance. They fell in love at eighteen, married at twenty-four, and were living their dream life in San Francisco. When Giulia was twenty-seven, she suffered a terrifying and unexpected psychotic break that landed her in the psych ward for nearly a month. One day she was vibrant and well-adjusted; the next she was delusional and suicidal, convinced that her loved ones were not safe.

Eventually, Giulia fully recovered, and the couple had a son. But, soon after Jonas was born, Giulia had another breakdown, and then a third a few years after that. Pushed to the edge of the abyss, everything the couple had once taken for granted was upended.

A story of the fragility of the mind, and the tenacity of the human spirit, My Lovely Wife in the Psych Ward is, above all, a love story that raises profound questions: How do we care for the people we love? What and who do we live for? Breathtaking in its candor, radiant with compassion, and written with dazzling lyricism, Lukach’s is an intensely personal odyssey through the harrowing years of his wife’s mental illness, anchored by an abiding devotion to family that will affirm readers’ faith in the power of love.

My Thoughts

A year or two ago I read an article written by Lukach about his family’s experience and I saw he was writing a memoir. I knew I wanted to read it, but forgot about it until I saw the book listed in an email about upcoming tours. The title caught my eye and when I read the synopsis I remembered the family I had read about and immediately signed up for the tour.

I don’t think this will be a refined book review, because I don’t even know where to start other than to say I appreciated this book… appreciated in a very, very good way, but I can’t say I enjoyed this book because it’s a hard book to read.

1 // I appreciated this look at mental illness from the eyes of the caregiver. I’m not well-versed in books about mental illness, but what I have read has always been written by the person who has the mental illness. But family members are affected by mental illness as well and I appreciated that Lukach was willing to share his experience (and that Giulia was also willing to let this story be told) in great detail as he talked about how Giulia’s sudden psychotic break. I appreciated that he didn’t shy away from sharing what he felt–from his deep love and fear, to his anger and resentment. He has dealt with so many emotions throughout this–which is normal–and I appreciated that he was willing to share them.

2 // I appreciated their representation of love, marriage and commitment. It starts out as this fairy tale romance of a beautiful, young and ambitious couple that embark on their life together. And then they’re hit, unexpectedly, by a big storm. But their story illustrates what it means to make a commitment to each other and to consciously choose to keep that commitment. Marriage isn’t easy — love isn’t all sunshine and roses. This book illustrates that love and marriage is a choice and it’s a choice that can continue to be made, even when it’s hard.

3 // Lukach doesn’t give any answers. He shares their experience and through that the reader can learn — with them — how they needed to deal with something they never anticipated would be part of their life. It could be beneficial for others who are in a similar situation, but he never says “this is how it should be for everyone.”

 

Mental illness is something that can be hard to talk about–and I totally get that. But it’s also something that needs to be discussed. I think it’s important to share experiences so that we can break down barriers, learn from each other and just know that we’re not alone.

Purchase Links

HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About Mark Lukach

Mark Lukach is a teacher and freelance writer. His work has been published in the New York Times, the Atlantic, Pacific Standard, Wired, and other publications. He is currently the ninth-grade dean at the Athenian School, where he also teaches history. He lives with his wife, Giulia, and their son, Jonas, in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Find out more about Mark at his website, and connect with him on Facebook and Instagram.

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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6 comments

  1. Beth Kondrick says:
    May 16, 2017 at 12:44 pm

    This sounds like a great read – a difficult subject, but one that I think needs to be discussed more. I definitely think I might need to check this one out.

    Reply
  2. Shann Eva says:
    May 16, 2017 at 2:17 pm

    Great review. I also think it’s super important to talk about mental illness. I’ve suffered from anxiety all my life, and I’ve finally gotten to a point where I’m not ashamed of it. No one should be. I really want to read this book.

    Reply
  3. shootingstarsmag says:
    May 16, 2017 at 9:11 pm

    This sounds like a really powerful memoir. It’s definitely important to get the perspective of people who are friends and family of those with mental illness. It’s part of their lives too.

    -Lauren
    http://www.shootingstarsmag.net

    Reply
  4. HeatherTLC says:
    May 20, 2017 at 3:06 pm

    I hadn’t heard about this couples’ experiences until this book came out, but WOW … everyone needs to have someone like Mark in their corner!

    Thanks for being a part of the tour.

    Reply
  5. San says:
    May 22, 2017 at 3:58 pm

    This sounds like a powerful book! Very intrigued.

    Reply
  6. Shannon Paige says:
    May 23, 2017 at 11:17 am

    This looks like such an intense and interesting read! I love reading books about mental health. *thegoodthingscomin.wordpress.com

    Reply

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

I took these in early January when the snow still I took these in early January when the snow still felt a bit magical, but right now I’m just ready to walk barefoot in grass.

When I was younger I used to imagine what it would be like if we got so much snow that it would be piled high above our doors. I wondered if we’d be able to create tunnels in the snow to move around in.

And this year might just be the year we find out. I’m kidding, of course, but at this point I feel like we’ve been buried in snow. We’re even on track to beat some snow records I think (the amount of snow and the number of consecutive days with snow on the ground.

So. What’s the weather like where you are?
February was here and gone in the blink of an eye February was here and gone in the blink of an eye but contained moments I’ll carry with me forever.
When it’s almost halfway through February and yo When it’s almost halfway through February and you still haven’t posted January’s recap. January was filled with lots of family time. 💙
Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. “The water looks cold,” I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. 😂)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle tour with a stop at Thingvellir National Park. My fingers froze as I took these photos but it was worth it to capture this view. 😍 PS - the last photo is from a lake we stopped at on our way from Geysir to Thingvellir.
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