Girl, Interrupted Book Review

Have you ever questioned your own sanity or even attempted to put an end to your own life? Susanna Kaysen was troubled by both these questions and at eighteen years old,  was institutionalized at McLean Hospital for the mentally ill. Girl, Interrupted is Kaysen’s novel about her psychiatric visit, portraying how unstable her thoughts were and all of her experiences.  Susanna was diagnosed with “borderline personality disorder” and with little to no understanding of her disorder, handles it extremely well. The book opens with the direct question, “…How did you get in there? What they really wanna know is if they’re likely to end up there as well,”(5). Susanna is clear and precise with her words, making the reader question the difference between “the insane” and “the sane.”

After Susanna’s suicide attempt, she was institutionalized for two years at McLean Hospital. Her prescribed treatment included drugs, therapy, and eventually analysis. Kaysen’s story includes several other young women patients who she befriended throughout her long stay at McLean and her struggle to find a job after her release that would even hire her; due to her background in psychiatric care, and a job that would work for her, as well.

Soon after Susanna admitted herself into McLean Hospital she stated, “Freedom was the price of privacy,”(7). This shows that Kaysen rapidly came to an understanding that captivity required her to give up her freedom. Although, without school, a job, bills, parents, or the outside world to deal with, all of the girls residing at the hospital were free to ignore all responsibilities. The cons of no freedom but pros of having no responsibilities, became a disadvantage to Kaysen
later in life by limiting her opportunities in the real world. Any teenage girl who is struggling with emotions, may find this book quite relatable.