Archive for October 15, 2009
TELL ME SOMETHING TRUE by Leila Cobo
Leila Cobo’s debut novel, TELL ME SOMETHING TRUE, is an utterly wonderful and riveting book that had me in its clutches from the first page. It is lyrical and sensual with no word out of place. The character development is perfect, deep and meaningful, bringing the reader into the heart of the protagonists and their lives. In a sense, this novel sang to me in its poignant story of great loves.
October 15, 2009
Tags: Around-the-World, Columbia, Latin American Posted in: Book Club Choice, Debut Novel, Family Matters, Latin America, Latin American, World Literature 
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SOME THINGS THAT MEANT THE WORLD TO ME by Joshua Mohr
SOME THINGS THAT MEANT THE WORLD TO ME: What a wonderful book this is. As a clinical social worker and marriage and family therapist, I was very impressed with the clinically accurate portrayal of Rhonda, the protagonist. Rhonda is a 30-year-old man who suffers from depersonalization disorder which is one of the more severe symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is virtually always caused by extreme childhood abuse. When someone suffers from depersonalization, they can go into what is considered a fugue state or see themselves or parts of their body as “other.” As part of his disorder, and also as an homage to his resiliency, Rhonda has an inner child that accompanies him from time to time. He calls this child “Little Rhonda.” He also has an older Rhonda as a friend. She is nurturing and loving towards him and he calls her “Old Lady Rhonda.” Both of these Rhondas help him come to terms with his present life in relation to the trauma he’s suffered in the past.
October 15, 2009
Tags: Family Matters, Mental-Illness Posted in: California, Contemporary, Debut Novel, Family Matters, Mental Health, Top Picks, US Southwest No Comments
