O'Malley argues persuasively that under less extraordinary circumstances, a mentally ill woman would have been quietly offered a plea bargain and sent to an institution under court supervision. But on March 12, 2002, Andrea Yates was found guilty of the murders of three of her five children. She is currently serving a life sentence and will not be eligible for parole until 2041.
O'Malley's exclusive personal communications with Andrea Yates and her interviews with Rusty Yates allow her to offer fully realized portrayals of people at the center of this horrifying case.
In Are You There Alone? O'Malley makes a critical contribution to our understanding of mental health issues within the criminal justice system.
©2004 Suzanne O'Malley; (P)2004 Simon & Schuster, Inc. AUDIOWORKS is an imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster, Inc.
"Without pathos or overwrought prose, O'Malley details Yates' serious mental illnesses, including psychotic postpartum depression and probable bipolar mood disorder....This riveting book puts a human face on a larger social issue." (USA Today)
"Are You There Alone? Andrea Yates Story"
Very well written and easy to read (listen to). For those interested in mental health it is an interesting story of errors and blunders in judgment, diagnoses, and law.
"GREAT TRUE CRIME STORY"
No doubt most people have read about the Andrea Yates Story...about a young woman that killed her five children. Suzanne O'Mally wrote an excellent book on this very tragic true crime event.
I know part of the Andrea Yates tragedy had to do with the system failing to realize how sick she really was. After reading this very telling tale about Andrea, I couldn't help feeling sorry for her. I know the crime was horrible. I also feel her husband recognized the signs and did all he was able to do. This tragedy should fall not only on Andrea, but the Doctors that treated her, and the hospital's inability to recognize how dangerous she would become. Why is it always after terrible event people blame the criminal?
There were so many variables involved in this crime. Andrea does not belong in prison...She should be in a hospital setting. My feeling is one day in the not so distant future Andrea should be released after her childbearing years.
"Such a tragic story!"
A detailed portrail of Andrea Yates and the struggles this family went through trying to keep her from falling into the abis of mental illness. Such a tragidy for all. I found this story to be engagingly narrated and easy to listed to. It is done in a documentary style packed with facts and interesting commentary from the author.
I am a retired Court Reporter and I LOVE books. All kinds of books but my favorites are mysteries and period books. I like civil war books and some biographies.
"Author had way toooooooo much smypathy for Yates."
I don't have anything nice to say about Andrea Yates but even less for her husband. He's really just as guilty. I've worked 25 years as a court reporter in the courts and I just don't have any use for people like that.
ChelleBB
"Tragic"
If you enjoy true crime it doesn't get much better than this, a real insight to Andrea Yates and her tragic circumstance.
Emotional and a sense of understanding.
"kinda disappointing"
Not sure who would enjoy this book
maybe
sounded flat....not really easy to listen to
Don't know if I would have cut scenes. but would have definately wanted better insight to Ms. Yates
I am a widow and mother of 2 grown up daughters. I listen to audibles every night at least 1 to 2 hrs. It relaxes me and I get to tell my girls about it. I love this activity. It keeps me out of trouble.
"narrator"
I like the way the story was narrated by Becky Ann Baker. Of course Suzanne (author) did a great job also.
"Well written"
I liked this audiobook very much. I have a child who has a mental illness and was interested in this book for that reason and I could understand somewhat why her husband did not understand the seriousness of her illness and the precautions necessary. I think an injustice was done there by almost everyone.
"Hated it!"
What a sleeper! I felt it was a waste of money. The narrator but me to sleep...she had a monotone voice. It was as if a crime detective was telling the story...just the fact...only the facts. Save your money, don't buy this one. What a rip off!