The Quiet Room

A Journey Out of the Torment of Madness

By: Lori Schiller, Amanda Bennett

Narrated by: Brittany Pressley, Gregory Abbey, Cheryl Smith

Moving, harrowing, and ultimately uplifting, Lori Schiller's memoir is a classic testimony to the ravages of mental illness and the power of perseverance and courage.

At seventeen Lori Schiller was the perfect child-the only daughter of an affluent, close-knit family. Six years later she made her first suicide attempt, then wandered the streets of New York City dressed in ragged clothes, tormenting voices crying out in her mind. Lori Schiller had entered the horrifying world of full-blown schizophrenia. She began an ordeal of hospitalizations, halfway houses, relapses, more suicide attempts, and constant, withering despair. But against all odds, she survived.

In this personal account, she tells how she did it, taking us not only into her own shattered world, but drawing on the words of the doctors who treated her and family members who suffered with her.

Excellent but with one note

I really appreciated the insight this book gave me on multiple people's perspectives on a schizophrenia diagnosis and experience. I really liked it and am rating it highly. It was particularly unique to hear the examples of her voices/"visitors" as audio rather than text.

I don't wish to critique the story in terms of content because it is a personal experience and was a very compelling listen. However, I do think a warning may benefit some readers regarding the way weight is spoken about in this book:

Repeatedly there are comments regarding how weight ties to Lori's personal experience with mental illness and how her weight increase and weightloss is a reflection of her care and view of herself as well as a side effect of the medicine. Though I am not someone who has this struggle, I could see her perspective on weight and the derogatory comments about her own size (like referring to herself as a whale, only being pretty when she's considered skinny, etc) being very painful and unexpected with regards to other people's struggles. I thought maybe that would be covered later and some self-reflection on fatphobia, but it was never acknowledged other than losing weight being a good part of recovery. This may be unexpected to some readers who aren't prepared for that, so I hope a warning may useful here and as a consideration when recommending it.

Absolutely resilient

Loved the layout of this book, what an inspiration. Great vulnerability and hope in life.

Spectacular

I read THE QUIET ROOM book, years ago, when it first came out. Listening to the audiobook, which had fabulous male and female narrators. What makes this memoir so much better than the average mental health memoir because perspectives from Lori’s friends, parents, brothers and doctors are also included which eliminate questions of an unreliable narrator.
Schizoaffective Disorder is considered the most difficult mental illness to treat because it involves both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder making the condition difficult to successfully find the right medication more challenging. Schizoaffective Disorder has no cure, but can be managed with medication compliance, continuous treatment and hard work from the patient.

Interesting and thought provoking

This was an interesting listen and very thought provoking - I enjoyed listening to it, and appreciate the insight and realistic representation of struggle and honest reflection.

Wonderful

One of my favorite books. I already read it and now listened to the audiobook because I'm obsessed!