HIDDEN VALLEY ROAD

Inside the Mind of an American Family
by Robert Kolker

Here’s a fact not many people know about me: In addition to studying theater during my undergrad years, I was also a psychology major with a focus in developmental psychology. I often say theater and psychology are two different ways of studying the same thing–how the human brain works and how we interact with other humans. Hidden Valley Road dives deeply into the history, biology and treatment of schizophrenia, but it also has a large helping of drama.

In this expertly written book, Kolker interweaves two stories. The first is the history of schizophrenia, from its first identification as something other than general psychosis, to the scientists and therapists who spent their careers dedicated to helping cure, or at least alleviate, the suffering of those afflicted. In the scientific community, there is a huge divide between those who believe that schizophrenia is treatable, even curable with therapy, and those who believe drugs are the answer to mitigate symptoms and control behavior. The former tend also to believe that the disease is caused by the environment in which a child is raised, particularly singling out mothers. The latter doggedly pursue proof of a genetic cause, and to that end, have been gathering DNA samples from people living with schizophrenia for the better part of 70 years.

Which leads us to the second story: The Galvin family living in rural Colorado with twelve children, six of whom have some form of schizophrenia. Kolker manages to craft the story of this family in such a way that even knowing the premise I was always heartbroken when another brother began showing symptoms. Their unbelievable struggle is documented with compassion but also many clear-eyed observations (often from the healthy siblings) of how things might have gone differently.

Overall, this was a difficult book to read because of the devastating nature of schizophrenia and what it does to its victims and their families. But I found myself engrossed throughout and have been mentioning it in conversation ever since. If you think this topic might be interesting to you, I highly recommend Hidden Valley Road. (Lily)

A SECOND HELPING

If the number of times you talk about a book to other people is a gauge of how compelling you found that book, then Hidden Valley Road tops my list. Kolker’s journalistic style immediately drew me into the story of Mimi and Don Galvin and their twelve children born between 1945 and 1965. What at first appears a blissful family with financial means and loving parents, slowly disintegrates as six of the twelve children are diagnosed with schizophrenia. The story captivates as Kolker lays it out from various family members’ points of view. Every few chapters, Kolker includes fascinating snapshots of the scientific and medical thinking about schizophrenia at the time and how it developed and changed over the years.

Kolker writes with an overall feeling of compassion. As a reader, I didn’t feel like a voyeur or an outsider. Rather, Kolker manages to cultivate empathy. Sometimes, I could even see myself in Mimi. Many of the kids are relatable and the love within the family is palpable. There is a reason Oprah Winfrey chose this book for her book club. I agree with my co-editor Lily: (read review here) Hidden Valley Road is a must-read. (Liz)