Reading the book Girl, Interrupted was a far more enjoyable task than I expected. Susanna Kaysen's gripping account of her short time spent in a mental institution in the late sixties was informative as well as interesting. Her use of poignant humor and factual tales made for an easy read. Any book that can keep my attention after the first page is one that I'll definitely like. I think that a character as lovable as Susanna is one that most any young woman can identify with. We've all had the issues of a bad relationship, depression and possibly even attempted suicide. What makes this story great is that you know that she overcame all of this and went on to follow her dreams as a successful writer. .
I can definitely relate myself to Susanna in a few ways. Like her, I tend to think way too much, which is actually the cause of most of my problems! Kaysen also analyzes people like I do. I always seem to be comparing myself to whomever I'm around, wondering what they are thinking, and if they are having any problems like I am. Sure, I'm never around a sociopath like Lisa, burn victims like Polly, compulsive liars or people with complex eating disorders, but I'm a daily people analyzer. Susanna is a free spirit and keeps a journal, while I'm more reserved and have never kept a journal. I can connect with her about being misunderstood though. Sometimes I'm a quiet person and would rather just be left alone, rather than people intervening. On the whole though, I would say I am an extravert, while I think Susanna may be an introvert. I seek stimulation and love to be around people, while Susanna I think just needed to be alone for awhile. When I first came to college I had to immediately get involved with activities, just as I had been in high school. In Susanna's case, I think that it was other people who actually worsened her case, because she would begin comparing her problems to theirs, and then consistently question herself.
