The Quiet Room: A Journey out of the Torment of Madness

By: Lori Schiller, Amanda Bennett

Narrated by: Brittany Pressley, Gregory Abbey, Cheryl Smith

Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Moving, harrowing, and ultimately uplifting, Lori Schiller's memoir is a classic testimony to the ravages of mental illness and the power of perseverance and courage.

At 17, Lori Schiller was the perfect child - the only daughter of an affluent, close-knit family. Six years later she made her first suicide attempt, then wandered the streets of New York City dressed in ragged clothes, tormenting voices crying out in her mind. Lori Schiller had entered the horrifying world of full-blown schizophrenia. She began an ordeal of hospitalizations, halfway houses, relapses, more suicide attempts, and constant, withering despair. But against all odds, she survived.

In this personal account, she tells how she did it, taking us not only into her own shattered world, but drawing on the words of the doctors who treated her and family members who suffered with her.

©2008 Lori Schiller and Amanda Bennett (P)2018 Hachette Audio

Excellent but with one note

I really appreciated the insight this book gave me on multiple people's perspectives on a schizophrenia diagnosis and experience. I really liked it and am rating it highly. It was particularly unique to hear the examples of her voices/"visitors" as audio rather than text.

I don't wish to critique the story in terms of content because it is a personal experience and was a very compelling listen. However, I do think a warning may benefit some readers regarding the way weight is spoken about in this book:

Repeatedly there are comments regarding how weight ties to Lori's personal experience with mental illness and how her weight increase and weightloss is a reflection of her care and view of herself as well as a side effect of the medicine. Though I am not someone who has this struggle, I could see her perspective on weight and the derogatory comments about her own size (like referring to herself as a whale, only being pretty when she's considered skinny, etc) being very painful and unexpected with regards to other people's struggles. I thought maybe that would be covered later and some self-reflection on fatphobia, but it was never acknowledged other than losing weight being a good part of recovery. This may be unexpected to some readers who aren't prepared for that, so I hope a warning may useful here and as a consideration when recommending it.

Absolutely resilient

Loved the layout of this book, what an inspiration. Great vulnerability and hope in life.

Fantastic Read!

As a therapist, this book was very helpful and insightful. I highly recommend this book. It was incredibly beneficial to hear about the author from many different viewpoints.

Absolutely brilliant

I loved this book. It was fascinating and moving to hear a personal account of the experience of a psychotic disorder. Very eye opening, well written, and well narrated.

Wonderful

One of my favorite books. I already read it and now listened to the audiobook because I'm obsessed!

Amazing book!

You helped me so much to learn about mental illness. Thank you for sharing, you are amazing.

Amazing story

Hopeful and inspiring true story that will inspire compassion and awe for anyone battling mental illness, and hope and encouragement for those whose loved ones are battling.

Excellent from beginning to end…

There’s not anything I can say that hasn’t already been said. First book I’ve actually finished in months. Informative, intriguing and at times humorous. Ever aspect of this audiobook is excellent from beginning to end.

A must listen.

This book is for you if you
suffer with mental health issues
Love someone with mental health issues
Just want to know what a person experiencing mental illness is going through
Inspiring and heartfelt thank you Lori for your courage

Very Enlightening

This book was recommended by my Social Work professor in my Evaluation and Treatment class. I didn’t know much about schizophrenia and what I thought I knew was not as accurate as I thought it was. This book allows one to hear what schizophrenia is like from multiple perspectives and most importantly from the perspective of someone who is living with it. I could feel the torment, powerlessness, and desperate desire for hope Lori lived with. I have been given the gift of a new and more informed perspective of what it might be like for someone living with schizophrenia and also realize there is HOPE! Thank you, Lori, and your family, for the gift you have given to me and so many others by sharing your story. I am grateful!