77 pages • 2 hours read
Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family
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Book Brief
400
Biography • Nonfiction
Colorado Springs, Colorado • 1950s-1970s
2020
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker tells the true story of the Galvin family: Don, Mimi, and their 12 children, six of whom develop schizophrenia, affecting their lives profoundly. The narrative details the family’s struggles with mental illness, the impact on the healthy siblings, and the scientific research prompted by their unique situation. Sensitive topics include mental illness, suicide, and sexual abuse.
Mysterious
Challenging
Emotional
Informative
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
150,908 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Robert Kolker's Hidden Valley Road explores the harrowing true story of a family's struggle with schizophrenia. Critics praise its compassionate storytelling, in-depth research, and compelling narrative, providing a sensitive look at mental illness. However, some reviews note its dense medical content and occasionally overwhelming details. Overall, it's deemed a poignant, informative read.
Who Should Read Hidden Valley Road?
A reader fascinated by family dynamics, mental health, and medical history would enjoy Robert Kolker's Hidden Valley Road. Fans of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and The Glass Castle will appreciate its gripping narrative blending intimate biography with scientific exploration.
150,908 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
400
Biography • Nonfiction
Colorado Springs, Colorado • 1950s-1970s
2020
Adult
18+ years
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