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Journey of the Self: Memoir of an artist Paperback – April 28, 2020
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Ruth Poniarski set out to find the ideal friend and the perfect mate, but what she encountered were spells of paranoia, extreme anxiety, and hallucinations. Trying to navigate her cyclic malady, she undertook a rigorous architectural program in search of her passion. What she discovered on her journey is captured brilliantly in this unflinchingly honest memoir.
- Print length222 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherWarren Publishing, Inc
- Publication dateApril 28, 2020
- Dimensions5 x 0.51 x 8 inches
- ISBN-101734707550
- ISBN-13978-1734707557
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Editorial Reviews
Review
Ayoung woman struggles to find her place in the world while also grappling with her mental health in this debut memoir.
After Poniarski inadvertently consumed PCP at a college party, she found herself consumed by the notion of an incoherent conspiracy involving socialists and alien craft-which she continued to have after the drug wore off. "My brain fed me lies," she says of the experience, which caused her parents to put her under the care of a psychiatrist for the first time. Her memoir continues from this moment, recounting her tumultuous 20s during the late 1970s and early '80s in New York City. Poniarski struggled to finish an architecture degree as she bounced from one program to another, unable to successfully finish courses and fearful that her peers might learn of her "psychotic side." In a similar manner, she shuttled between her parents' home on Long Island and apartments in Manhattan, her independence constantly jeopardized by paranoid thoughts and mistrust of roommates and friends. Most poignant, however, is Poniarski's account of search for a suitable romantic partner. As she struggles with shame about her sexual feelings, she finds herself drawn to various lovers who each reject her, which only fuels her desire to break out of a lonely existence. Poniarski tells a story with heavy themes, but her prose remains graceful throughout. As she recounts outrageous thoughts and actions, she does so in a manner that not only gets across her distorted view of reality, but also the very real emotions she felt; at one point, for instance, she tells of slapping a man on an airplane after falsely thinking that he was making fun of her. In her fractured accounts of exchanges with colleagues, friends, and lovers, Poniarski also offers clever insights into sexism, the high expectations of her affluent Jewish community, and changing attitudes toward mental health.
-Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Journey of the Self: Memoir of an Artist is an inspirational lesson plan for others who battle mental illness. In the course of a journey to discover who she truly is, Poniarski provides insights not just into self-realization, but assessing and handling doctors and medical systems that can either enhance or thwart the pursuit of peace and happiness. Readers interested in personal stories of mental illness and recovery will find much food for thought in Poniarski's survey of her condition, her relationships, and the medical system that she navigates, and will find Journey of the Self a satisfying memoir with a happy ending."
-D. Donovan (Midwest Book Review)
Product details
- Publisher : Warren Publishing, Inc (April 28, 2020)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 222 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1734707550
- ISBN-13 : 978-1734707557
- Item Weight : 8.6 ounces
- Dimensions : 5 x 0.51 x 8 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #3,847,249 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #7,075 in Biographies of Artists, Architects & Photographers (Books)
- #79,955 in Mental Health (Books)
- #105,231 in Memoirs (Books)
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Ruth's life is an achievement. She overcame the unthinkable to become a devoted mother and a beautiful artist. Her work reflects what she learned and how she felt during her ordeal, yet it is pleasant, even whimsical. I would love to write a review o her paintings.
You come away from this book smarter and more empathetic . And hopefully, more grateful.
Mental illness is such a mystery to many and for Ruth Poniarski it was what defined her life for countless years. The initial journey into mental illness began when she unsuspectingly ate a PCP laced brownie. From that event her life descended into a type of hell complete with nervous breakdowns and psychotic breaks where she put her own life in danger.
This brutally honest memoir was one that I did not really enjoy reading. Who really could enjoy reading about a woman who was floundering in life due to mental illness? All that Ruth really wanted at times was to be a successful architect and loved by Mr. Right and yet both of these goals eluded her primarily because of her mental illness (finally diagnosed as manic depressive or bipolar) . I have to give her credit for writing this all down with such great attention to detail. I never would be able to write with such clarity about things that happened in my life and she had no problem with detailing all the good, the bad and the ugly that she experienced.
Probably the most touching part of the book for me was her parents and their unrelenting dedication to her and to protecting her and making sure she was okay. Her mother had to back away at times when it became overwhelming but her father was a constant in her ongoing battle for health. What a strong man he must be.
While this was not an easy book to read, I believe that it is one that is an important one for those who have a loved one with mental illness of any kind. The more we can educate ourselves the better we can understand what our loved ones are experiencing. The author's own words "Never abandon hope in the waking hours of affliction." will stick with me for a very long time. Her life now as an artist and happily married woman of over 30 years is proof positive that with the right help, a satisfying and fulfilled life can be had.
Thank you to the author and publisher and publicist for a free copy for my honest review.
Mental illness is such a mystery to many and for Ruth Poniarski it was what defined her life for countless years. The initial journey into mental illness began when she unsuspectingly ate a PCP laced brownie. From that event her life descended into a type of hell complete with nervous breakdowns and psychotic breaks where she put her own life in danger.
This brutally honest memoir was one that I did not really enjoy reading. Who really could enjoy reading about a woman who was floundering in life due to mental illness? All that Ruth really wanted at times was to be a successful architect and loved by Mr. Right and yet both of these goals eluded her primarily because of her mental illness (finally diagnosed as manic depressive or bipolar) . I have to give her credit for writing this all down with such great attention to detail. I never would be able to write with such clarity about things that happened in my life and she had no problem with detailing all the good, the bad and the ugly that she experienced.
Probably the most touching part of the book for me was her parents and their unrelenting dedication to her and to protecting her and making sure she was okay. Her mother had to back away at times when it became overwhelming but her father was a constant in her ongoing battle for health. What a strong man he must be.
While this was not an easy book to read, I believe that it is one that is an important one for those who have a loved one with mental illness of any kind. The more we can educate ourselves the better we can understand what our loved ones are experiencing. The author's own words "Never abandon hope in the waking hours of affliction." will stick with me for a very long time. Her life now as an artist and happily married woman of over 30 years is proof positive that with the right help, a satisfying and fulfilled life can be had.
Thank you to the author and publisher and publicist for a free copy for my honest review.
I didn’t finish reading
Do to eye problems 👍🌈