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HomeShop at BookSurgeLanguage Arts & Disciplinesbipolar bare: My Life's Journey With Mental Disorder |
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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 5 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Rising From the Abyss Oct 31, 2009
By Larry Underwood
"Author - St Louis Cardinals IQ - The Ultimate Test of True Fandom"
From a dysfunctional childhood to a mentally imbalanced adulthood, Carlton Davis chronicles the people, places and events that shaped his creatively bizzare life, in an engaging and often witty manner. Throughout the book, Davis is aided by an intriguing alter ego (Carlotta), who cajoles him, scolds him and tempts him to do many things that are reprehensible, and some things that are rather courageous. It makes for a fascinating story of one man's constant struggle with mental illness along with the demons of drug addiction.
Davis reveals his innermost thoughts, dreams and fears in a most compelling way; the book was difficult to put down, written in a somewhat confusing and manic style that only heightened its appeal. The end result was a brutally honest story of this man's wild and disturbing life. Clearly, overcoming his mental illness along with a constant struggle with drug abuse, was a long and arduous process. In the end, we hope that he's conquered all of his demons; the conclusion gives the reader hope that he's gotten over the hump, and will experience better days ahead.
I certainly hope that's the case. He seems like a nice guy; not to mention, a very witty and courageous man.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Addictively Disturbing Mar 19, 2009
By Southern Editor
"Avid Reader"
Carlton Davis' powerful memoir about mental illness will leave readers wide-eyed and awestruck at the gruesomely enticing details he delivers. His life story is like nothing I've ever read, and the personal moments he shares cause a quiet discomfort as his openness and vulnerability hook you from page one. The multiple personalities are as real as my own family members, and just as dysfunctional. Bipolar Bare is unconventional in its impressive willingness to describe one man's darkest secrets. And the artwork is a great touch!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
An intriguing read sure to entertain and enlighten Jul 10, 2009
By Midwest Book Review
Bipolar disorder is an enigma to those who don't have it. Author Carlton Davis brings readers into his world with "Bipolar Bare", a memoir telling his long and storied history that ranges from confused "troublemaker" child, to finding religion, to becoming a drug addict willing to do anything for his fix. With an uplifting finish of some semblance of normalcy, "Bipolar Bare" is an intriguing read sure to entertain and enlighten.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
A Wild Ride with Carl and Carlotta May 31, 2009
By B. C. League
"Candida League"
I found this book hard to put down. That someone could have had the disjointed (extremely dysfunctional) childhood of Carl Davis would be challenge enough, add to this his years of undiagnosed mental illness and a struggle to create a fulfilled life balancing his artistic talents and his relationships. Alongside Carl on his journey is the voice he identifies as his muse, Carlotta. She brings honesty and humor to even the most desperate of situations.
Carl's words provide vivid descriptions of places, people, experiences and especially of the ever-changing Carlotta. I was also intrigued by several of the author's drawings and illustrated journal pages that are included in the book.
From Yale to Cristo's Running Fence, EST, the 80's loft scene in downtown LA, driving interstate 5, Las Encinas and Betty Ford Center, crake cocaine addiction, struggles with suicide, and gay bathhouses. (Beware if you don't want to read graphic descriptions of unusual sexual situations, you may want to skim through parts of the story.) It is all part of the author's struggle with the roller coaster of bipolar!
Although his journey is extraordinary, it also addresses the ordinary feelings that we all experience - a desire to connect, a striving to create, a yearning to find balance.
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
A book to read and process! Apr 25, 2009
By Carolyn Willison
"cwilli"
A beautifully written book. It is a winderful insite in Bipolar Disorder and the deamons one faces in life. The moments shared by Carl are touching. The struggles and successes are real and very moving. This is a must for professionals in the area of psychotherapy to read and process. Fascinating art work.
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