Hidden Valley Road

This was an incredible non fiction. I always have so much respect for non fiction authors as so much research and referencing has to take place to shape a non fiction book. Also with the rise of narrative non fiction, hungry readers like myself are expecting more and more from our non fiction reads. But this book certainly delivered!

This story focuses on the Galvin Family. A wealthy all American family, Don and Mimi become notorious in their friendship circles for having a huge family. 10 sons and 2 daughters. But this fascinating family only become more compelling when it becomes apparent that around half of the sons seem to be developing schizophrenia in young adulthood. How is this possible? Is their a genetic component to schizophrenia? How can some siblings develop symptoms/ diagnosis of schizophrenia while other siblings seem to be unscathed by the mental illness?

This non fiction is a deep dive into the intimate lives of the family and each individual family member. It also looks at how the consent of the family to have their blood samples and DNA studied by scientists,has helped us understand more about the elusive mental illness schizophrenia.

This was so compelling and infinitely fascinating. The structure and writing was brilliantly composed and comprehensive. This is another favourite non fiction author to add to my list. I was so impressed with the compassion and sensitivity in which he dealt with the Galvin families story.

This book is gripping as narrative non fiction. But fundamental as an academic resource adding to the cannon of schizophrenia research. Kolker, through the Galvin sisters was able to get first hand accounts of events within the family that gave a plausibility and respectability to this study of a family. A fantastic book that I deeply admire.

Thanks to the author Robert Kolker, Quercus and Netgalley for a review copy in exchange for an honest review.