{Review} SONGS OF THREE ISLANDS: A MEMOIR by Millicent Monks

ISBN #: 978-1935212447

Page Count: 264

Copyright: October 8, 2013

Publisher: Prospecta Press; 2nd Edition

Book Summary:

(Taken from Amazon)

SONGS OF THREE ISLANDS is a stunning memoir about the astounding Carnegie family's struggle with mental illness combined with a beautifully evoked meditation on motherhood and madness. In describing five generations of mental instability in the female line of her family Millicent Monks attempts to bring mental illness out of the shadows and comfort those who are suffering from thoughts and feelings they don’t always understand. In her own words “People, they say, are divided into two kinds: those who have known inescapable sorrow and those who have not. Because sorrow cannot be changed, one’s lifestyle and feelings must be changed to accommodate it.” 

This heartfelt account highlights the struggle and frustration felt as you watch those you love being destroyed by mental illness. It's easy to presume that having riches beyond your wildest dreams automatically means you have it all, but being blighted by mental illness is something many families, rich and poor alike, struggle to come to terms with. This memoir will not only leave the reader feeling positive and enlightened, but filled with enormous admiration for and gratitude towards Millicent Monks for sharing this unique story about her legendary family. This frank account highlights her own personal struggle and determination to survive against many odds.

Mandy's Review:

I'm thinking I need to stop reading memoirs about famous people/families. I don't enjoy them. Yes, I feel sorry for Ms. Monks and how she had to deal with a mother who was mentally unstable. I also feel sorry for her because that trait seemed to be inherited by herself and her daughter. However, reading her memoir did not leave me feeling "positive and enlightened" as the summary suggests. I felt bored and I struggled through the reading of this book.

There were a couple times that I got lost and/or confused while reading. Some of the dates didn't mesh and there was quite a bit back-and-forth between the memories. It didn't flow well for me, basically.

I think I'll stick with the fiction books from now on. I've given enough non-fiction books a try that it's now time for me to stop. I just don't care for them.


*A physical copy of the book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.