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Outside the Lines

by Amy Hatvany (Goodreads Author)

3.85 of 5 stars 3.85 · rating details · 1,328 ratings · 238 reviews

When Eden was ten years old she found her father, David, bleeding out on the bathroom floor. The suicide attempt led to her parents’ divorce, and David all but vanished from Eden’s life. Since childhood, she has heard from him only rarely, just enough to know he’s been living on the streets and struggling with mental illness. But lately, there has been no word at all.

Now

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Paperback, 384 pages

Published February 7th 2012 by Washington Square Press (first published February 1st 2012)

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Those Books You'd Sell Your Soul For 2012

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Feb 07, 2012 Ann rated it 5 of 5 stars

As children we search for absolutes, black or white, but no gray. But most of our lives are spent in the gray area, and we soon learn to search out our own truths with compassion and tolerance. “Outside The Lines” is one of the most compassionate, honest books I’ve read in a long time.

Amy Hatvany takes on the huge subject of mental illness in her second novel. The story of a father and daughter, David and Eden, is told by alternating between their two points of view. The novel begins with Eden...more

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Jan 06, 2012 LAURA KAY A Novel Review rated it 5 of 5 stars

http://anovelreview.blogspot.com/2012...

There is a hole in Eden West’s heart, an empty spot aching to be filled with the love of her father. Growing up Eden had loved and adored her father, David. She had been the apple of David’s eye…his reason-- his hope in his dark world of depression and bipolar. Twenty years have gone by since that fateful day when David left her, abandoned her…without as much as a word. After her mother battles breast cancer, Eden realizes she needs to find him. She begins...more

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Jan 04, 2012 T. Greenwood rated it 5 of 5 stars

Amy is a friend of mine, and I have been reading her novels for years now. She consistently delivers flawed but lovable protagonists who struggle with credible and meaningful issues, and her latest, Outside the Lines, is no exception. This novel tells the story of Eden West, a young woman whose artist father is waging a losing battle with mental illness and substance abuse. When she is ten years old, her father's failed suicide attempt ends in her parents' divorce and his departure from her life...more

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Jun 26, 2012 Brandi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Once again Amy Hatvany has sucked me right into the lives of her characters. She has this great ability to make you care about her characters. I love that she tackles real life issues just as they are without feeling the need to sugarcoat or tie everything in a neat little bow. Great read.

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Apr 03, 2012 Kristine rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a very easy book to read. I love the fact that it was told from the view point of both Eden and her father David and went back and forth from 20 yrs prior and present day. It made the story flow while giving readers a full understanding of the complications in their relationship. I reaaly enjoyed it.

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Jul 03, 2012 Rita rated it 4 of 5 stars

1/2 way through. Story of mental illness at it's worst! Interesting book!

Finished reading-- worth reading. If we listen carefully through the book we can learn a bit about dealing with the mentally ill. So many times we expect them to magically reside in our world, when it is impossible. Good read!

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May 13, 2012 Rhonda added it

This is a really great book about a relationship between a daughter and her father. It was a great page turner and I am ready to read more of her books.

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Apr 13, 2013 Dee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Review Copy Provided by Author

I rarely write a review for a book as soon as I finish it because I want to let my thoughts sit and mold in my mind for a few days. So i’m actually not sure why I am writing this review right now – but it just feels like I need to write about it. Maybe it is just me, but there seem to be so few fiction books that deal with mental illness as a topic, that when I find one I want to savor it. Which I did with Outside the Lines. Normally a book of its length would take...more Review Copy Provided by Author

I rarely write a review for a book as soon as I finish it because I want to let my thoughts sit and mold in my mind for a few days. So i’m actually not sure why I am writing this review right now – but it just feels like I need to write about it. Maybe it is just me, but there seem to be so few fiction books that deal with mental illness as a topic, that when I find one I want to savor it. Which I did with Outside the Lines. Normally a book of its length would take me 2-3 days to read – but I purposely dragged it out because I was afraid of what the outcome was going to be. I felt like the author was setting me up for some kind of heart-break. But don’t worry, no spoilers here.

I really liked how the author was able to walk the line between sappy happy go lucky/preachy at times, and in depth makes you think writing. I had so many questions come up as I was reading – how did the title relate (this is actually explained); why do we as a society treat people with mental illness the way that we do (I am of a firm belief that traditional medicine isn’t the be-all, end-all that it is purported to be) and how does a family try to have a “normal” life (if that is the correct word) when there is that stigma of mental illness hanging over their heads.

While I often find flash-backs a harder story-telling method to use, in this instance it worked, and it was interesting seeing how the flash-backs progressed through time – until they met up with the current time-line. The ending was not all that unexpected – I had kind of hoped for a miracle, but at the same time, I like how it ended, because it wasn’t perfect. The book would have totally jumped the sharked, if everything that been all tied up in a pretty pink ribbon. I was left with questions and thoughts – which likely are going to keep me intrigued in the near future. I also added the other 2 books by the author to my massive to-be-read pile. Overall, I would give Outside the Lines, a strong 4 stars.(less)

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Jan 22, 2013 Cocktails and Books rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: cnb-reviewers

"It’s incredibly hard to write about this book without giving too much away, so I’ll try my best! This is a tough and extremely emotional subject, and the author has written it beautifully. My heart broke for each and every one of the characters as their stories tragically unfolded.

Eden is a strong and courageous character who has been through so much in such a short amount of time. Her father attempted suicide, which led to her parent’s divorce and her father disappearing. Her mother is diagno...more

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Nov 17, 2012 Donna McBroom-Theriot rated it 4 of 5 stars

(As I mentioned a few weeks ago, this was our book club selection this month. I hope that some of you read along with us. I would love to hear what you thought of the book.)

When you read the title of the book, Outside the Lines, there is no indication of what the storyline is. What the story does is chronicle the love and the lives of a father and daughter, drawn into the world of mental illness. Outside the Lines banters back and forth between two points of view; the daughter and her mentally...more (As I mentioned a few weeks ago, this was our book club selection this month. I hope that some of you read along with us. I would love to hear what you thought of the book.)

When you read the title of the book, Outside the Lines, there is no indication of what the storyline is. What the story does is chronicle the love and the lives of a father and daughter, drawn into the world of mental illness. Outside the Lines banters back and forth between two points of view; the daughter and her mentally ill father. The author does an outstanding job of transversing from the daughter to the father, and switching quiet smoothly between the past and present.

“The demons were winning. No matter what he did or how hard he tried, David felt them writhing around inside his head, gnawing at his resolve to stay well like a dog on a bone. He went through the motions of being normal but could not combat the feeling that at any moment he might crack wide open and be revealed as the imposter he was.”

The story portrays a young woman, who feels a deep abandonment from finding her father bleeding out from a suicide attempt, only to then have him walk out of her life, and her continuous search for him.

“Right there, in the middle of the night on a downtown street corner, Jack held me in his arms and for the first time in as long as I could remember, I felt safe.”

I thought the author did an excellent job of portraying mental illness and how it affects everyone – both the mentally ill person and the family. I found the book educational because I personally have no contact with a mentally ill person and the author went into great detail about how the mentally ill person thinks and why they might possibly make the decisions they do; choosing homelessness and no meds to a life where medicines leave them in a fog. I have had conversations with people who have mentioned that a love one would take their meds and once they felt better, thought they didn’t need the medicine and stopped taking it.

God, he couldn’t focus. His thoughts pinballed around inside his head. it felt as though someone else was pulling back the plunger, sending random, rapid-fire thoughts shooting through his brain. He wasn’t the person playing the game. Did Eden tell Lydia that he had flushed his meds again?

There were times throughout the book where the characters took on a little more depth than at other times, but overall I felt the book told a realistic story that could almost pass for a memoir. The book is a search for truth, a sense of self. It is a journey and one well worth reading.

“You can’t save him, honey. You know that, right? There’s nothing either one of us can do.” I looked up t her. “You’re giving up.” “Maybe,” she said. “But only because he gave up first.”

Outside the Lines shows us that life is rarely between the lines.

He helped around the house and spent time with his daughter. He kept the angst he felt a secret from his family, just like the pills he pretended to take…so I grabbed the nearest towels and wrapped them around my father’s wrists as tightly as I could. I heard a person screaming in a guttural, anguished pitch. It took a moment to realize that person was me.”
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Jul 09, 2012 Carla rated it 4 of 5 stars

Well written and clear, this book is told in two voices: Eden and her father, David. It is truly difficult to understand how anyone can cope with loving a family member fighting mental illness. The desire to believe everything that person says and yearning to be loved in return is all that Eden wants from her father. The battle to accept everything her mother has ever told her about her father also comes into play but clearly Eden does not believe anything negative about her father. His constant...more

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Feb 14, 2012 Melanie Goodman added it

The last time Eden saw her father there was blood everywhere. At ten years old, Eden was familiar with her father’s ups and downs. Her life was shaped by whether or not he chose to take his medication. He could be playful, creative, and charismatic, or he could be sullen, withdrawn, and moody. All the same, he was her father, and despite the pain of listening her parents’ arguments about his mental illness and lack of responsibility, she loved him. And she was not prepared to see his nearly life...more The last time Eden saw her father there was blood everywhere. At ten years old, Eden was familiar with her father’s ups and downs. Her life was shaped by whether or not he chose to take his medication. He could be playful, creative, and charismatic, or he could be sullen, withdrawn, and moody. All the same, he was her father, and despite the pain of listening her parents’ arguments about his mental illness and lack of responsibility, she loved him. And she was not prepared to see his nearly lifeless body after he slit his wrists.

Twenty years later, Eden is a caterer with a history of bad romantic relationships, but a solid support network consisting of her dog Jasper, best friend Georgia, and her mom and step-brother. After her mother’s battle with cancer, Eden develops a renewed interest in finding her father. She received a few letters from him in her 20s, but ignored them, angry at his absence and lack of contact until that point. Years later she wants a chance to have her father back in her life again, but how can she find a man with a common name who she has not seen since she was a child, a man who lives in and out of homeless shelters and mental institutions or on the streets?

Eden begins tracking down her father by getting his picture out in hospitals and visiting shelters. She volunteers as a chef at Hope House, where she develops a rapport with the owner and the clients. Though Eden is able to unravel bits and pieces of the mystery surrounding her father’s life, the fact is that she still has no idea where he is or whether he is even dead or alive. Eden doesn’t know if she’ll ever be able to find her father, nor does she have any idea what she’ll say to him if she does.

Amy Hatvany’s Outside the Lines is narrated from multiple perspectives, Eden and her father’s, and from multiple points in time, Eden’s childhood and the present. Though one could easily imagine this becoming convoluted and disorienting, Hatvany skillfully guides the reader back and forth through the storyline without ever stumbling. The multiple layers of text heighten the suspense and build a more complex and thoughtful understanding of the characters’ struggles.

Eden’s father, David, is an artist who has always straddled the line between genius and madness. Like so many creative people, he often works best when not rooted firmly in reality. The medication that helps to control his moods and order his thought processes also inhibits his artistry, leaving him feeling dull and gray. David rebels against the societal pressure to “get well” and become like everyone else; he is happier living on the streets, making just enough money selling his artwork to pay for the occasional hotel room and the alcohol that helps quiet the voices in his head.

Hatvany’s portrayal of David’s mental illness, and his family’s struggle to accept it, pushes Outside the Lines well beyond the average book about a thirty-something struggling with daddy issues in order to develop healthier romantic relationships. David is indeed a character who is comfortable outside the lines; though he loves his family, he can never be true to himself and be the man they would like him to be. Hatvany’s narrative is thought-provoking, forcing readers to consider the choices they would make for themselves or their family members if they were put in Eden or David’s shoes. Ultimately, though, Outside the Lines transcends the question of to change or not to change, and instead begs acceptance of oneself and others as they are.

As a lover of food, dogs, art, romance, and fictionalized mental illness, Outside the Lines offers a little something to suit nearly all of my interests. Above all, I appreciate that Hatvany asks difficult questions and does not offer easy, tidy answers, making Outside the Lines both incredibly entertaining and mentally stimulating. It’s the complete package.(less)

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Feb 09, 2012 Dorine White rated it 4 of 5 stars

Every now and then I get a chance to read a book outside of the kidlit genre. Recently, I was sent an ARC of Amy Hatvany's newest book, Outside the Lines, a deep and complex novel. I'd like to share a review with my readers.

The Story- Eden, a woman in her thirties, is looking for her mentally ill father. When she was ten, he slit his wrists, and that was the last time she saw him. In the present, her mother's fight with cancer has led Eden to realize the shortness of life, and the desire to see...more Every now and then I get a chance to read a book outside of the kidlit genre. Recently, I was sent an ARC of Amy Hatvany's newest book, Outside the Lines, a deep and complex novel. I'd like to share a review with my readers.

The Story- Eden, a woman in her thirties, is looking for her mentally ill father. When she was ten, he slit his wrists, and that was the last time she saw him. In the present, her mother's fight with cancer has led Eden to realize the shortness of life, and the desire to see her father again.

Eden risks everything to hunt for her father. She spends time in homeless shelters and morgues looking for clues. As her search continues, she discovers lies told to her by her mother, and struggles to cope with the reality of her childhood.

In the end, a new romance and inner strength give her the boost she needs to continue her search and find out whether her dad is alive or dead.

My Thoughts: Wow, this is a deep and well planned out novel. I was amazed at how the author delved into the world of mental illness and brought it to the forefront of her writing. The details and images she invokes are so real and true to life, as if she's personally witnessed events such as in the book.

The whole novel is told in two different point of views and time frames. We start out with Eden in the present and then jump to Eden when she was 10, the year before her father's attempted suicide. We also see through David, the dad's eyes, in the past and present. By writing the novel this way, the author brings you deep into the story, where there is no right or wrong. Where there is just life and its complications. You are able to understand and feel everything from both perspectives.

Now for the ending, no spoilers, but I did feel the story ended poetically, but before it was finished. But, I think this is because the author ends it with hope, that changes are in the works, and that both Eden and David love each other and are going to fight for their relationship. The ending leaves the reader room to explore the feelings that have been stirred up while reading.

Outside the Lines takes you on an emotional journey. If you've ever wanted a peak into the world of mental illness and its affects on families, this is the book for you. FYI- this is an adult book and contains some alcohol use, drug use, sex and crude language.(less)

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Feb 09, 2012 Patty rated it 4 of 5 stars

Outside The Lines
By
Amy Havatny

So sad...so good...so hopeful...so sweet...this is pretty much the way I feel about this book.
Eden...tells her story as a young child living with a mentally disturbed father and as the adult who is searching for the father she hasn't seen since she was ten.

We also hear the story from her father's point of view as he tries to hold everything together on meds and as he loses everything as he spirals off of them.

The sadnesses of this book are the desperate attempts by...more

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Feb 08, 2012 Charlotte rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: nook, advanced-readers-copy

http://charlotteswebofbooks.blogspot....

Just like in Best Kept Secrets, there were times where I had a really hard time liking the main character. While I understand Eden's anger at her mother, at times her behavior towards her mother and step-father was truly deplorable. And when she took it out on Jack? I was ready to be done with her. But just when I couldn't stand it any further, Eden realized the error of her ways. I know it sounds bad, but even with her character flaws, Outside the Lines i...more

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Feb 06, 2012 Mary Gramlich rated it 5 of 5 stars

OUTSIDE THE LINES by Amy Hatvany
02/12 - Washington Square Press – 355 pages

Is it possible I am the person who I have been waiting for?

Eden has been searching for answers her entire life. She wants to know what made her father so happy and sad with the same intensity, why did he leave her, and when will she find him. Never thinking she will be complete until she closes the gap in her life Eden goes on a quest to find him. What Eden finds instead is even more amazing and eye opening.

Her search had...more

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Jan 30, 2012 Nancy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Eden's father is mentally ill. The book toggles between time lines and voices. This is a very tricky endeavor which the author does very well. Eden and David have distinct voices and I am never confused with POV. Also, time period is clear as Eden sees things as a little girl and changes perspective as she gets older. David grows more mentally unstable as time continues on. Although David is never given a clear diagnosis, it appears he begins with Bi-polar which progresses to "with psychotic fea...more Eden's father is mentally ill. The book toggles between time lines and voices. This is a very tricky endeavor which the author does very well. Eden and David have distinct voices and I am never confused with POV. Also, time period is clear as Eden sees things as a little girl and changes perspective as she gets older. David grows more mentally unstable as time continues on. Although David is never given a clear diagnosis, it appears he begins with Bi-polar which progresses to "with psychotic features." David struggles with calming the mania and slowing his mind which quiets his creativity. This is too hard for the artist in him and continually ceases his medication.

So Eden is now 31 years old. She is successful chef and her best companion is her dog, Jasper. For some reason, Eden suddenly wants to locate her father. The last she saw of him was during his suicide attempt. When he was hospitalized, her mother served him with divorce papers. She remarried a fireman who was at the scene of the tragedy and they gave Eden a baby brother shortly after that. Eden shares a close relationship with her brother who has some demons of his own with pleasing his father. This is hinted at but never fully explored. Same with the romance the develops that was interesting. I would have liked to know a little more about that one.

Eden begins the arduous task of trying to find David. She starts at a homeless shelter and meets love interest. Loved him. Wonderful love story. Very sweet and healing. Eden has issues of trust and allowing herself to love and be loved by another person. This is all part of her journey to find David.

Another relationship that is explored and well developed is between mother and daughter. Eden has held her mother somewhat responsible for her father's mental demise. If she'd only tried harder to help him, he wouldn't be missing or living on the streets. Slowly, Eden discovers the difficult decisions her mother had to make and why she made them.

The story is very well developed except for the two side notes previously mentioned but they are pertinent to the story of Eden and David. The main characters are VERY well developed. There is emotional and psychological exploration and metamorphoses as the years go by. It is a well written exploration of mental illness and respecting yourself and the mentally ill person and their choices. I really enjoyed this one. (less)

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Feb 10, 2012 Wendy Hines rated it 5 of 5 stars

Eden loved playing with her father and he was a great teacher in an unorthodox way. She knew he had a mental illness but was optimistic that he would get better. Sometimes he had bad days and sometimes he had good days, but she was just grateful that he was there.

David had huge mood swings, from anger to depression to elation, as well as voices talking in his head. He tried to be the husband and father that his family needed, but it was just not him. He wanted to be who he was without conformin...more Eden loved playing with her father and he was a great teacher in an unorthodox way. She knew he had a mental illness but was optimistic that he would get better. Sometimes he had bad days and sometimes he had good days, but she was just grateful that he was there.

David had huge mood swings, from anger to depression to elation, as well as voices talking in his head. He tried to be the husband and father that his family needed, but it was just not him. He wanted to be who he was without conforming to what society dictated how he should act and he should perform. But eventually the demons became too much for him and he tried to kill himself one afternoon. Unfortunately, his young daughter Eden found him, bleeding out.

David never came home. He went to a psychiatric hospital and his wife presented him with divorce papers. He spends the next twenty years in and out of mental institutions and living on the street. He is a gifted artist and he uses his ability to get by.

Eden becomes a chef and is very good at what she does. Her love life though, is lacking. Knowing her father never stayed, never communicated after he left, she is afraid to commit to any relationship. But when her mother is diagnosed with cancer, Eden knows she can't leave things where they are. She wants to find her father so that she can forgive him and move on with her life.

With the help of a local homeless shelter and Jack Baker, the shelter's handsome owner, Eden sets out on a journey of the heart. But will she find what she is really looking for or was it in her backyard all along?

Outside the Lines is a beautifully wrought novel that pulls at the heartstrings. A story about family, tragedy, love, hope and being free to be whom you are, Amy Hatvany does an impeccable job of writing such a heart-breaking, yet inspiring novel. Realistic and complex characters, eloquent writing, and an in-depth taste of how mental illness affects everyone surrounding them, Outside the Lines is a well-recommended read!
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Mar 12, 2012 Laurel-Rain rated it 5 of 5 stars

Throughout Eden West's childhood, she fiercely loved her father David, with whom she had a special bond. He taught her to cook, the two of them planted a garden together that they dubbed The Garden of Eden, his paintings often featured Eden, and the special moments between them were like treasures. Especially since, for all of their years together, David also struggled with mental illness: an excruciatingly debilitating mood disorder that defined his interior world through voices, confusing thou...more Throughout Eden West's childhood, she fiercely loved her father David, with whom she had a special bond. He taught her to cook, the two of them planted a garden together that they dubbed The Garden of Eden, his paintings often featured Eden, and the special moments between them were like treasures. Especially since, for all of their years together, David also struggled with mental illness: an excruciatingly debilitating mood disorder that defined his interior world through voices, confusing thoughts, and the inability to quash those thoughts.

Like a rollercoaster ride, with the ups and downs marking the moments of their lives together, David seeks to find his own way of managing the voices and thoughts. The medications squash all creativity, so he fights them. Eden's mother Lydia has tried many ways to "manage" her husband, without success. Then, on one tragic night, ten-year-old Eden finds her father bleeding out in the bathroom.

After hospitalization and a period of recovery, David leaves again. And for the next twenty years, he is lost to her.

Eden's quest for her father takes her to homeless shelters, the streets, hospitals, and even morgues. She uncovers secrets and deals with the pain of betrayal. She has launched her career as a chef and dreams of starting her own restaurant. When she meets Jack Baker, who runs a homeless shelter, she may have just found a kindred soul.

Living outside society's rules and expectations is a major theme in "Outside the Lines: A Novel." Resisting the efforts of family members to "fix" him is what works for David West. What finally brings him a measure of self-acceptance, however, could be the very thing that keeps him from an ongoing relationship with his daughter.

Alternating between Eden's and David's points of view, and swinging from the present to the past and back again, we gradually connect all the pieces of this beautiful family story together. We end up with these questions: What cements the bonds between family members? Is it doing what is expected, or is it letting go enough to let each individual chart his/her own path? A beautiful, emotional, and deeply satisfying story that earned five stars.
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Feb 06, 2012 Book Him Danno rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, books-sent-by-author-publisher-for

I will be reviewing this title on my blog in a few days - I will post my full review then. I cried at the end of this book, a beautiful story with a great flow that really made me think about the horror mental illness can cause to a family. 4 1/2 stars.

Mental illness is the plague of the modern world. We treat the symptoms, but can do nothing for the problem itself. Drugs are just a temporary fix for so many and at the same time make the individual feel like someone else. This book explores the...more

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Oct 16, 2011 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, contemporary-fiction, arc

Another book by Amy Hatvany tackling a tough subject - something she does extraordinarily well. This book is about a young woman and her mentally ill, homeless father. It shifts narratives and time periods, two things that are hard to pull off and can easily detract from the narrative. But in Outside the Lines this structure is critical. Without glimpses into young Eden I would not have been bawling my eyes out 20 pages in.

The author does justice to the incredibly complicated child-parent relati...more

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May 11, 2012 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Great story. A woman tries to find her father, who suffers from mental illness and struggled with it throughout her childhood, eventually leaving the family because he couldn't handle staying on his meds and trying to be "normal."

This book is a good look into mental illness--it is so frightening and reading how David (the dad) was struggling with his demons was really insightful. I really like how the author switched points of view throughout the book from Eden (the daughter) to David, from her...more

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Apr 28, 2012 Jodie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

A touching story about the lost relationship between a father and daughter that is nicely told between shifting narratives and time frames.

When Eden is 10 her father, David, tries to commit suicide and she finds him -- what could be worse on her already delicate psyche? The narrative of David was by far my favourite. His overwhelming sense of worthlessness was brilliantly brought to life through Ms Hatvany's words. His longing to just be; his own complete and utter loss as to why he can't get i...more

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Aug 05, 2012 Denise rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: novel-chick-picks

Like my sister, Deanne, I wish I could rate books in half rather than whole stars. This book was an okay plus. I liked it fine. On the "okay" side, it definitely had characteristics of simplistic chick lit with the all "too good to be true" romance between Eden, the damsel in distress, and Jack, her knight in shining armor. All of their banter made me want to say, "oh, please", or as my sister, Donna, used to say, "Spare me". I kept waiting for Jack's dark side to come through. If it had, the no...more

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Apr 12, 2012 Nance rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, nance-s-rrr-2012-challenge, contemporary-fiction, books-read-2012, tearjerkers

May contain possible **spoilers**

And so, artist David West decides to live “outside the lines” of society, which suits him just fine. That’s the topic that author, Amy Hatvany portrays throughout her most recent novel, Outside the Lines. In the beginning of the novel, David lives in a surburban neighborhood with his wife, Lydia, and young daughter, Eden, painting his pictures while also struggling to keep his demons at bay. The novel alternates between two different viewpoints, David’s and Eden’...more

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Jun 24, 2012 Cheryl McNeil rated it 5 of 5 stars

Amy Hatvany has done it again: really succeeded in fleshing out a pathology without obfuscating the humanity and ultimate lovability of the person embodying the pathology. We walk away caring deeply about, and respecting, characters who could easily have earned our contempt. In her first book, "Best Kept Secret", Hatvany brought us a mother who descends into alcoholism. In "Outside the Lines", she brings us into the world of a daughter who struggles with her bipolar father. The struggle is heart...more Amy Hatvany has done it again: really succeeded in fleshing out a pathology without obfuscating the humanity and ultimate lovability of the person embodying the pathology. We walk away caring deeply about, and respecting, characters who could easily have earned our contempt. In her first book, "Best Kept Secret", Hatvany brought us a mother who descends into alcoholism. In "Outside the Lines", she brings us into the world of a daughter who struggles with her bipolar father. The struggle is heart-wrenching, yet hopeful in its own way. As in, a rather Buddhist acceptance of the way all human beings are flawed. Yes, that is it: Hatvany is a master of portraying humanity realistically, yet in a balance of flaw and quiet glory. Her writing is remarkable for how it brings us to the depths, and yet we can walk away content and at peace. This is not a narrow book that only those touched closely by bipolar would be interested in. It's very much a book of broad appeal, in that the main character has a full life of growing up, finding a rewarding career, developing a strong ethical sense of her place in the world, falling in love . . . there is something for every reader to latch onto. Hatvany's writing is fluid and easy on the mind, in spite of its often heavy subject matter. And you know what? I respect Hatvany for dealing with subjects that few people want to talk about. First it was women and alcohol, and now it's mental illness: two subjects I'll bet you and your friends have a hard time talking honestly about. The harm that silence does was brought into focus this month for me. Ironically, I was reading this book at exactly the same time that a colleague's bipolar son committed suicide. Smart, beautiful, giving to his community, from a great family, loved, 19 years old. Dead. The day before he took his life, his family brought him to the hospital. His doctor literally sent him, clearly suicidal, to the curb outside because they didn't have enough beds for males. When he went to a second hospital, his insurance denied coverage -- something that had happened multiple times before. And now a beautiful young man is dead, and a family is struggling to survive the devastation. The more we talk and write about these difficult subjects, the less likely it will be that in our children's futures such injustices will be tolerated or fly under the radar. It matters that my grieving colleague is now speaking to legislators about mental illness and health insurance. And it matters that Hatvany has written this special book. Pick it up and make it matter even more. (less)

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Feb 06, 2012 Shonda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2012

Outside the Lines is a book that grabs the reader from page one. Early on I was invested in Eden and her search for her father. I wanted Eden to reconnect with David in order for her to heal from the void his absence had created. With each new clue to his whereabouts, I found myself filled with emotion: excited that she may see him again, but yet fearful that David's story may not have a happy ending.

Hatvany tells the story of David and Eden in both their voices, which was the strength of the no...more

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Jun 17, 2012 Debbie rated it 4 of 5 stars

An interesting read...one that bounces back and forth in time so you can get a little lost now and then...but doesn't take you too long to figure out what is going on.

At age 10, Eden finds her father on the bathroom floor, bleeding out from a suicide attempt. This attempt was the straw that broke the camel's back on her parents marriage and her dad's ability to be there for Eden. Eden wants to stay in contact with her dad, but once the divorce is final, she never gets a letter or note from her d...more

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Mar 15, 2012 Allie Smith rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction-women

4.5 stars. This was a really good story. Heartbreaking, but satisfying. Oh, the father daughter relationship….so important and so complicated. The author addresses the possibility that a woman’s relationship with her father, lays the foundation for all future relationships with the opposite sex. Sounds plausible. But if the relationship was messed up – look out.
Eden adored her father, and her father, David, adored her. David, however, suffered from bi-polar disorder. As a little girl, Eden did e...more

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Jan 25, 2013 Milissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

I. could. not. put. this. book. down.

I might be more fascinated than most when it comes to "the human mind." The ability to think is amazing...and something people just take for granted. So a story that involves mental illness is interesting by itself. The author gave this character a real voice...not just narrative about what others think regarding this character...but she describes the character's actual thoughts and struggles. Hooked.

The story was believable, heartbreaking, and hopeful. I wa...more

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About Amy Hatvany

Amy Hatvany was born in Seattle, WA in 1972, the youngest of three children. She graduated from Western Washington University in 1994 with a degree in Sociology only to discover most sociologists are unemployed. Soon followed a variety of jobs – some of which she loved, like decorating wedding cakes; others which she merely tolerated, like receptionist. In 1998, Amy finally decided to sell her car...more

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