The Weight of Zero by Karen Fortunati
To be published by Delacorte Press on October 11, 2015
Source: ARC sent for review
Synopsis from Goodreads: Seventeen-year-old Catherine Pulaski knows Zero is coming for her. Zero, the devastating depression born of Catherine’s bipolar disorder, almost triumphed once; that was her first suicide attempt.
Being bipolar is forever. It never goes away. The med du jour might work right now, but Zero will be back for her. It’s only a matter of time. And so, in an old ballet-shoe box, Catherine stockpiles medications, preparing to take her own life before Zero can inflict its living death on her again.
Before she goes, though, she starts a short bucket list. The bucket list, the support of her family, new friends, and a new course of treatment all begin to lessen Catherine’s sense of isolation. The problem is, her plan is already in place, and has been for so long that she might not be able to see a future beyond it.
Review of The Weight of Zero by Karen Fortunati
Catherine's been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and this diagnosis cost her a lot. Her best friends now shun her and the class bully seems to think she's fair game.
Yes, that sounds really dark, but the book is so much more than that. Catherine has a mom, a single mom who is fighting tooth and nail to help her daughter.
Catherine is in treatment, which was another thing I loved about the book -- it didn't treat bipolar disorder like a personality quirk, but showed the hard work, obstacles, and tireless commitment to self-care that treatment entails.
Then there's Michael. He's a guy who befriends Catherine. At first, she's 100% wary of him, based on her bad experiences with her former friends, but slowly he wins her over. I loved the slow pace of the relationship and the bumps the couple faced. She's not his MPDG (thank goodness) and he's not her knight in shining armor.
This book is about Catherine's struggle to cope with the world, with her own issues and fears, with her sense that she will never be able to be happy or "normal," whatever that means.
I highly recommend The Weight of Zero. It is a bit reminiscent of Perks of Being a Wallflower - and Catherine even references that book as a favorite, which was fun. If PoBaW is a favorite of yours, definitely try this one out!
Interesting. As a person with depression and the child of a bipolar parents, I'm always wary of books centering on these things, but this sounds like one that might be worth checking out. Thanks for reviewing it!
ReplyDeleteI hope you try it and if you do, please come back and share your thoughts. I was really impressed by this one!
DeleteThis sounds really good. I like it when things aren't glossed over. I'll have to add it to my tbr.
ReplyDeleteTressa @ Wishful Endings
I like straight to the point books as well, especially if they are concurring a hard topic. Great review Jen!
ReplyDeleteFor God's sake! I don't know why I thought this book was dystopian!
ReplyDeleteI've only read one book about a person with bipolar disorder and I always wanted to read more. This sounds like a great read!
For God's sake! I don't know why I thought this book was dystopian!
ReplyDeleteI've only read one book about a person with bipolar disorder and I always wanted to read more. This sounds like a great read!