Published: Nov. 03, 2010
Words: 85513 (approximate)
Language: English

Short description

All 15 year old Gabrielle wants is a normal life, but her mother, Celeste, has severe Bipolar disorder and won't take her medication. Celeste is spinning out of control. Gabrielle's brother is a delinquent, and her father just might be having an affair. Even worse, Gabrielle has a secret fear of her own, and if it's true, it will change her life forever.

Extended description

Gabrielle Gallagher is 15, but she feels like she's 30. Her mother, Celeste, has severe Bipolar Disorder, and Gabrielle has spent years hiding and denying her mom's illness from others. All she wants is a normal life with a normal family, but in her heart, she knows it will never happen.
Her dad seems to be an absent-minded English professor. He's known for spouting off weird bits of ancient poetry and is possibly having an affair with Gabrielle's high school counselor.
Her brother, Elijah, is trying hard to be a delinquent, but failing, with sometimes humorous effects.
Her grandmother, Hallelujah Lou, thinks that if Celeste comes back to the Lord, she'll be just fine without all that medication.
But after her mother's latest suicide attempt, Gabrielle has lost all hope. It's up to her to keep the family running, so she does the housework, shopping, cleaning, and cooking, and she isolates herself from her friends.... (Read more) Gabrielle Gallagher is 15, but she feels like she's 30. Her mother, Celeste, has severe Bipolar Disorder, and Gabrielle has spent years hiding and denying her mom's illness from others. All she wants is a normal life with a normal family, but in her heart, she knows it will never happen.
Her dad seems to be an absent-minded English professor. He's known for spouting off weird bits of ancient poetry and is possibly having an affair with Gabrielle's high school counselor.
Her brother, Elijah, is trying hard to be a delinquent, but failing, with sometimes humorous effects.
Her grandmother, Hallelujah Lou, thinks that if Celeste comes back to the Lord, she'll be just fine without all that medication.
But after her mother's latest suicide attempt, Gabrielle has lost all hope. It's up to her to keep the family running, so she does the housework, shopping, cleaning, and cooking, and she isolates herself from her friends.
Only Audrey, her best friend from childhood, knows the truth. And Donovan, the new guy in town, is interested in Gabrielle and isn't willing to give up without a fight.
Meant for older teens, and adults also, "Maniac" is a book that explores the unspoken bonds that keep families together and can tear them apart.
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Tags

family drama, mental illness, humor, young adult, mania, bipolar, psychiatric, teen drama, family reading, teen lit

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Reviews

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Review by: Vicky Swenson on May 27, 2012 :
Very well written book that accurately describes bipolar disease and the effect it has on the entire family. Includes information about well known poets and gives examples of their work. Each character is unique in a very dysfunctional family. The book gives hope to anyone that is living with bipolar disease that a normal life is possible.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

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