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Leaving the Hall Light On

by Madeline Sharples (Goodreads Author)

3.8 of 5 stars 3.80 · rating details · 86 ratings · 26 reviews

"A moving read of tragedy, trying to prevent it, and coping with life after." -Midwest Book Review

"Moving, intimate and very inspiring." -Mark Shelmerdine, CEO, Jeffers Press

"Poetically visceral, emotionally honest. I will be a better, more empathic psychiatrist, and a better person and friend after reading this extraordinary memoir." -Irvin D. Godofsky, M.D.

"Leaving the...more "A moving read of tragedy, trying to prevent it, and coping with life after." -Midwest Book Review

"Moving, intimate and very inspiring." -Mark Shelmerdine, CEO, Jeffers Press

"Poetically visceral, emotionally honest. I will be a better, more empathic psychiatrist, and a better person and friend after reading this extraordinary memoir." -Irvin D. Godofsky, M.D.

"Leaving the Hall Light On" charts the near-destruction of one middle-class family whose oldest son committed suicide after a seven-year struggle with bipolar disorder. Madeline Sharples, author, poet and web journalist, goes deep into her own well of grief to describe her anger, frustration and guilt. She also shares the story of how she, her husband and younger son weathered every family’s worst nightmare—including struggles with her own thoughts of suicide, and ultimately, her decision to live and take care of herself as a woman, wife, mother and writer.

"I recommend this book to not only those who lost a child or who struggle with the mental illness of a child, but to anyone at all who wants a deep, intimate read where the author bares her soul and lets you into her world!" -Bonni Rubinstein, Organizer of the Facebook group "Loss of an Adult or Young Adult Child"

"Leaving the Hall Light On left me in tears. It is a heart-wrenching book; I could not put it down. Anyone who wants to learn how to live with children or adults with bipolar disorder, must read this book." -Mary Barrett, The Nashville (Illinois) News

"Recommended for suicide survivors, and I also invite mental health professionals to read it. I would be willing to bet that Madeline Sharples is much more honest about what it is like to survive suicide than most patients and clients allow themselves to be." -Fran Edstrom, the American Association of Suicidology

--
A note from the author: I encourage you to read my book if you have been touched by bipolar disorder or suicide. And even if you have not, my book will inspire you to survive your own tragedies. As author Jessica Bell says: Leaving the Hall Light On is "a remarkable book and it SHOULD be read." - Madeline Sharples(less)

Paperback, 338 pages

Published July 31st 2012 by Dream of Things (first published April 8th 2011)

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Lists with This Book

A Grasshopper in the Head by Marina Markovic

The Wayward Gifted - Broken Point by Donna K. Childree

Leaving the Hall Light On by Madeline Sharples

Mental Health And Family

4th out of 50 books — 54 voters

Best Memoir / Biography / Autobiography

385th out of 1,804 books — 1,747 voters

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Jan 06, 2013 Kimberly rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, memoir

Heartbreaking, and yet beautiful. As a mother, I can't imagine any greater pain than losing a child under any circumstance, let alone adding the trials and tribulations of dealing with a mental illness. In this vivid memoir, Madeline Sharples provides a deeply vivid account of her experiences, before and after her son's suicide. Not only does Sharples account the affects upon her personally, but also how this tragedy affected her family and the individual relationships within. The reader is take...more

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Sep 28, 2011 Angela rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

We live in a culture obsessed with image. Not just image but the illusion of happiness. When we run into a friend, the customary greeting is, "Hi, how are you?" But we don't usually want to know the answer, not if the person in question is struggling with serious issues.

In point of fact, we prefer they keep their issues to themselves and smile like everything's fine. Then we sit back and wonder why those who commit suicide didn't show any signs, why they didn't ask for help, why no one did anyt...more We live in a culture obsessed with image. Not just image but the illusion of happiness. When we run into a friend, the customary greeting is, "Hi, how are you?" But we don't usually want to know the answer, not if the person in question is struggling with serious issues.

In point of fact, we prefer they keep their issues to themselves and smile like everything's fine. Then we sit back and wonder why those who commit suicide didn't show any signs, why they didn't ask for help, why no one did anything to stop them.

I know this is not something I'm supposed to admit, but I started thinking about suicide as a teenager. What would happen if I discreetly jumped off a cliff, or stepped in front of a car, or threw myself out the window?

I'd love to write the politically correct thing now and say I stopped thinking of it when I grew up, but the truth is that even now, I imagine doing it whenever I'm depressed. Yes, I know that's seriously twisted. But imagining these scenarios has a way of making me feel better. Probably because I'm conscious of how much power there is in simply choosing to live. That said, I doubt I'm the only person like this, and wonder how many normal people let their minds think of this when they're feeling hopeless or depressed.

This book was hard for me to read for a number of reasons:

1. It deals with serious issues like mental illness and suicide.
2. The descriptions of manic depression and paranoia are accurate to a tee and forced me to remember things in my own life that I'd rather forget.
3. The author doesn't sugar-coat the situation.
4. She is honest about her feelings.

Number four is key, because as much as society claims to value honestly, we lie to ourselves ALL THE TIME. What's worse? We criticize those who tell the truth. There's a reason politicians lie. It's because we want them to. So here is my bit of truth for this morning, one I'm sure will win me no friends.

How often do we expect those that have lost a child to comfort us because we feel helpless? How often do we pull away from listening to someone talk about their grief or anger because we think they've had time enough to grieve? How often, in a culture that's obsessed with fixing things, do we avoid those who have problems we can't fix?

I know I've done it.

The thing that struck me the most after reading this book was how hard it must be day after day to go on living when you know your son is gone. What a struggle that must have been for Madeline and her family. What courage it must have taken them to live one day at a time. Paul's death, final as it was, didn't end anything for his family. Instead it began a long and slow process of denial, anger, sadness, bargaining, and ultimately healing.

I am in awe of Madeline Sharples.(less)

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Aug 07, 2012 Mike O'Mary rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a powerful story and it is beautifully written. I recommend it to anybody who has dealt with the mental illness of a family member, with suicide, or with loss of any kind. It's a sad story, but it's a healing book.

2 likes · like · see review

Sep 16, 2012 Theresa added it · review of another edition

I couldn't assign this any stars-how do you rate the story of a mother losing her son to a mental illness and suicide? The anguish and all the second guessing she did drew me in. I have some experience with both mental illness and suicide and so it was easy to relate. When she referred to suicide as self-murder and hell, I was devastated. When I talk about the person I know, sometimes I say suicide and sometimes I say he was sick. And when I think of my son whom I have had to hospitalize on more...more

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Apr 16, 2013 Belinda Nicoll rated it 5 of 5 stars

The prime concern of any well-adjusted parent is to take responsibility for their children’s well being—to love and nurture them into adulthood, and beyond. The difficulty to ‘let go’ often seems to be the norm rather than the exception, so I can’t even begin to imagine how you deal with a child’s premature death, let alone if it’s due to suicide. Sharples has no choice but to do all of the above, plus she plucks up courage to write the story and in doing so probes into the painful details of he...more

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Mar 18, 2013 Ellen Cohen rated it 5 of 5 stars

I started thinking about suicide as a teenager. What would happen if I discreetly jumped off a cliff, or stepped in front of a car, or threw myself out the window?

I'd love to write the politically correct thing now and say I stopped thinking of it when I grew up, but the truth is that even now, I imagine doing it whenever I'm depressed. Yes, I know that's seriously twisted. But imagining these scenarios has a way of making me feel better. Probably because I'm conscious of how much power there is...more I started thinking about suicide as a teenager. What would happen if I discreetly jumped off a cliff, or stepped in front of a car, or threw myself out the window?

I'd love to write the politically correct thing now and say I stopped thinking of it when I grew up, but the truth is that even now, I imagine doing it whenever I'm depressed. Yes, I know that's seriously twisted. But imagining these scenarios has a way of making me feel better. Probably because I'm conscious of how much power there is in simply choosing to live. That said, I doubt I'm the only person like this, and wonder how many normal people let their minds think of this when they're feeling hopeless or depressed.

This book was hard for me to read for a number of reasons:

1. It deals with serious issues like mental illness and suicide.
2. The descriptions of manic depression and paranoia are accurate to a tee and forced me to remember things in my own life that I'd rather forget.
3. The author doesn't sugar-coat the situation.
4. She is honest about her feelings.

Number four is key, because as much as society claims to value honestly, we lie to ourselves ALL THE TIME. What's worse? We criticize those who tell the truth. There's a reason politicians lie. It's because we want them to. So here is my bit of truth for this morning, one I'm sure will win me no friends.

How often do we expect those that have lost a child to comfort us because we feel helpless? How often do we pull away from listening to someone talk about their grief or anger because we think they've had time enough to grieve? How often, in a culture that's obsessed with fixing things, do we avoid those who have problems we can't fix?

I know I've done it.

The thing that struck me the most after reading this book was how hard it must be day after day to go on living when you know your son is gone. What a struggle that must have been for Madeline and her family. What courage it took to live one day at a time. Paul's death, final as it was, didn't end anything for his family. Instead it began a long and slow process of denial, anger, sadness, bargaining, and ultimately healing.

I am in awe of Madeline Sharples.(less)

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Feb 18, 2013 Pauline Allan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mental-illness

My first impression of this book was the haunting image on the cover. It's taken me over a year since I first discovered this book to actually download it and start to dig through the pages. The first image was solitified in my mind and carried me through to the very end. This is a mother's struggle with her oldest son as he battles bipolar disorder. I had two very distinct impressions while reading this book. First I was concerned for this mother and her relationship with her son. I kept lookin...more My first impression of this book was the haunting image on the cover. It's taken me over a year since I first discovered this book to actually download it and start to dig through the pages. The first image was solitified in my mind and carried me through to the very end. This is a mother's struggle with her oldest son as he battles bipolar disorder. I had two very distinct impressions while reading this book. First I was concerned for this mother and her relationship with her son. I kept looking back over my relationship with my father. I too suffer from bipolar 1 disorder. Was this how MY father was feeling. Did he dislike me so much that he was fed up with me and ready to discard me, only to discover his compassion and duty to his daughter? At first glance I was very put off with the writer and her attitude toward her son, but then I realized...I was reading this book through the eyes of a bipolar sufferer. I understood Paul's mood swings and urge to move and run, never finding that place of solitude and peace. As I read further, I took the book in for what it is. It's a survivor's story. It let me know what I would be leaving behind if I made the choice that I struggle with daily. I feel such a deep and utter sadness for Paul. I know that feeling of walking to the bathroom in the dark, tip toeing as not to wake your loved ones for fear they'd find the truth about your pain. As I read further I got to know the author, this mother suffering along side her troubled son. I can't judge her for how she chose to deal with her son and his illness. By the end of the book I felt a compassion for this woman and an understanding that she got to know her son after his death. She got to find a companion in him that she never could while he was alive. I know she will never fully understand what led him to lock that door. What urged him on to purchase the box cutter. And finally what led to fall asleep of his own will. You see that's the illusion of suicide. We simply fall asleep and all our pain and bone-deep anguish fade away. When one lives with this decision for so long...we are already dead. We live between the veil of the living and the dead. We are already ghosts. The second feeling that found profound is that I could see the aftermath of a young man's decision. This is a person's choice to end their suffering, but really all we do is pass that suffering to the one's we leave behind. The cycle of pain never ends. It just ends for us as it did for Paul. I found peace with the ending of this book. In the way that this family was able to develop closure by way of keeping Paul's memory alive and discovering that Paul was not his disease. Believe me when I say this young man knew the burden that he was on this family and friends. In those few days of clarity that we cherish, we feel the despair of what we've done to those we love. That is the feeling that leads us down that dark hall, into the quiet tranquility of the bathtub, and utlimately the courage to end our lives. I wish this family all of my love and support as they have navigated these toubled waters for so long. It broke my heart that this mother had to see people in the store, in town, on the curb in her neighborhood and see their eyes look away. It may be their coping mechanism, but it hurts all the same. I was happy to read that she found supportive friends. In closing I enjoyed this book. There were some passages that I found myself skipping over, but all-in-all it was a book of tragic endings and hopeful beginnings. I recommend this book to any survivors of families who have lost a loved on to mental illness. I also would recommend this book to those who struggle with bipolar and the everyday choices that we make to see another day, to fight another almost ending, and just need the hope to know that our loved ones care so deeply.(less)

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Dec 03, 2012 Cheryl "Mash" rated it 4 of 5 stars

Leaving the Hall Light On by Madeline Sharples
Published by Dream of Things
Publication Date: July 13, 2012
ISBN-10: 0982579489
ISBN-13: 978-0982579480
Pages: 338
Review Copy from: Dream Of Things
Edition: TPB
My Rating: 4

Synopsis:
Leaving the Hall Light On is about living after loss: first and foremost how author Madeline Sharples chose to live and go on with life and take care of herself as a woman, wife, mother, writer. It is about the steps Sharples took in living with the loss of her son, including...more Leaving the Hall Light On by Madeline Sharples
Published by Dream of Things
Publication Date: July 13, 2012
ISBN-10: 0982579489
ISBN-13: 978-0982579480
Pages: 338
Review Copy from: Dream Of Things
Edition: TPB
My Rating: 4

Synopsis:
Leaving the Hall Light On is about living after loss: first and foremost how author Madeline Sharples chose to live and go on with life and take care of herself as a woman, wife, mother, writer. It is about the steps Sharples took in living with the loss of her son, including making use of diversions to help ease her grief and the milestones she met toward living a full life without him. She says, “to let ourselves grieve is to feel the depth of our love. For those whose children have died, that may take the rest of our lives, but we will discover the gifts of our loss in the process.”

My Thoughts and Opinion:
Over the past year or so, I have stepped out of my comfort zone, and started reading memoirs. And honestly, the ones that I have read have had a lasting impact on me.

The author shares, very candidly, her journey as, a wife and mother, coping with a son who was diagnosed with a BiPolar Disorder and then his sucicide. Her pain and recovery. This book was a bit of a hard read for me because of some of the parallels in the story. A thought provoking read on many levels and for varied reasons.

One of the similarities was I am a parent of 2 sons, 2 1/2 years apart and the oldest named Paul, the same as the author. While reading of her struggle with her son Paul, I found myself asking, "what if it was my Paul? Another thing I could relate to was the BiPolar Disorder, because of my background in nursing, I am familiar with the struggles of those diagnosed with the disease, the patterns they have and the signs and symptoms.

Ms. Sharples shares her painful experience of living through her son's periods of mania and depression. Her raw emotions are palpable. Then the worst nightmare that every parent fears, burying one's child. And even worse, not knowing the whys. Does any parent have closure? No such thing. How does one go on? I can't even imagine, having to go through something like this. She frankly and honestly describes her emotions of love, anger, worry, depression, hope, guilt, and even at times, selfishness. How she used writing poetry, which are also in the book, as a coping mechanism. And the decision to write this, which had to be very painful, memoir. As a parent, it was a heart wrenching read. But it was also a read of survival and recovery. It's then that the hall light goes off.

A powerful and poignant read!!(less)

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Nov 30, 2012 Sonia Marsh rated it 5 of 5 stars

A mother’s Quest to Understand the Loss of Her Son To Suicide

This is the first memoir I’ve read about a son suffering from bipolar disorder and eventually committing suicide.
As a mother myself, I have to say, Madeline Sharples, covers every aspect of what a mother, wife and friend must feel which such candor, that I could hear her voice as I was reading.
She questions everything in such detail, and the range of emotions from intense love for her son, to intense frustration, anxiety, and even stat...more

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Nov 27, 2012 Sherrey rated it 5 of 5 stars

What parent can imagine living through the horrors of a child’s battle with bipolar disorder ending in suicide several years after diagnosis and attempted treatment? Likely no one’s imagination works at this level.

Madeline Sharples, author of Leaving the Hall Light On: A Mother's Memoir of Living with Her Son's Bipolar Disorder and Surviving His Suicide, has lived this nightmare. And amazingly, she and her family survived this traumatic period.

Sharples’ memoir chronicles her elder son, Paul’s de...more

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Nov 20, 2012 Dawn Herring rated it 5 of 5 stars

As host of #JournalChat Live for all things journaling on Twitter, I have had the delight of meeting and chatting with writer, poet and avid journal keeper, Madeline Sharples, author of the memoir, Leaving the Hall Light On, which reveals her in-depth experience as Mom of a son who suffered with bi-polar disorder and who later committed suicide.

Up to this point, I had only read memoir from an adult child's point of view of the parent and not ones that dealt directly with a child's mental illness...more As host of #JournalChat Live for all things journaling on Twitter, I have had the delight of meeting and chatting with writer, poet and avid journal keeper, Madeline Sharples, author of the memoir, Leaving the Hall Light On, which reveals her in-depth experience as Mom of a son who suffered with bi-polar disorder and who later committed suicide.

Up to this point, I had only read memoir from an adult child's point of view of the parent and not ones that dealt directly with a child's mental illness; and since Madeline's was written from a mother's point of view, I felt it was an important opportunity to learn more of her story, which she partially built and wrote from journal entries she penned during her son's mental illness and in the aftermath of his death.

One of the main elements of Madeline's memoir that I especially appreciated was her balanced narrative that was heartfelt as well as honest and forthright. She doesn't gloss her story but, instead, shares her frustration, confusion and anger that she felt toward her son, Paul, in response to his mental illness.

She truly gives a clear and detailed inside view of what her family life was like during this time, which also included her mother, her husband, Bob, and her younger son, Ben.

Throughout the narrative she also includes a poetic thread of her point of view with tie-ins to the family-themed stories told in heartfelt detail that all relate to raising her meticulous, musical, and technologically talented son, both in his early childhood and later as a young adult.

Madeline shares in her book all the decisions she's had to make regarding her survival of Paul's suicide, from her work choices to answering the question, "How many children do you have?", one that can be daunting to consider when dealing with the reactions of others.

She speaks of friends who have gone and new ones that she has now established, post Paul's death.

Madeline's marriage to Bob is a highlight throughout her story as she shares their differences in their approaches to reckoning with their son's death as well their continued life today. It's quite an encouragment to see how their love has endured through one of the toughest challenges any parent can ever face.

Her ways of keeping Paul's memory alive are both loaded with Mother-Love and a keen sense of who Paul was with all sides of his authentic personality; she also shows who she is now in her roles as wife to Bob, Mom to Ben, writer, poet and journal keeper.

After reading Madeline's memoir, Leaving the Hall Light On, I have a new understanding and an immediate sense of her frustration and her grief; but I have also been inspired by seeing her determination and grit to move forward which she has done by making wise choices for herself to stay strong, refreshed, and loved.
(less)

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Oct 26, 2012 Sharon Lippincott rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: memoir

Madeline Sharples fulfilled several purposes as she wrote her memoir, Leaving the Hall Light On, about surviving the trauma of her son's sudden affliction with bipolar disorder and eventual suicide. One purpose was to find closure for her personal grieving process by sharing Paul's story with the world to ensure his memory lives on. She also wrote to educate the public about this disorder and mental illness in general, hoping to make some dent in the lingering stigma it still carries, and finall...more Madeline Sharples fulfilled several purposes as she wrote her memoir, Leaving the Hall Light On, about surviving the trauma of her son's sudden affliction with bipolar disorder and eventual suicide. One purpose was to find closure for her personal grieving process by sharing Paul's story with the world to ensure his memory lives on. She also wrote to educate the public about this disorder and mental illness in general, hoping to make some dent in the lingering stigma it still carries, and finally to provide hope for others that families can survive such tragedies intact in mind, spirit and relationships.

Several terms came to mind as I read her account:

Brave and Gritty. Sharples seems scrupulously honest and forthright about feelings and intimate details of family life during the stress of Paul's illness and following his death. In the first chapter she explores factors in Paul's background that could have led to his condition, factors she felt guilt about, and could have chosen not to include. She enlarges the focus by including details of her rocky relationship with her mother and mental problems in many of her older relatives. In divulging personal details such as the pleasure she takes in looking her best, she holds to her purpose of showing how self-care has been a cornerstone of recovery for her. While not everyone can afford to hop on cross-country flights several times a year to aid troubled offspring, indulge in writing retreats at Big Sur, or frequent the opera, anyone can follow her example and find ways of pampering themselves within their means, possibly with videos from the library, going out for beer and pizza, and a new style from Supercuts.

Innovative. This memoir began as a collection of poems that poured from her pen shortly after Paul's death. She initially intended the poems to serve as a memoir, but soon realized narrative was required to flesh them out with detail and context. Poetry and photos are an integral part of the book, lending an emotional depth difficult to achieve with standard narrative.

Resourceful. Although this is primarily Madeline's memoir, to some extent it is also a Sharples family project. She includes a few snippets from her husband Bob's journal entries along with input from her son Ben. These additional perspectives lend depth and round out the story. Bob's view of the situation is dramatically different from Madeline's and the comparison helps readers realize how variable reactions to grief can be and how differences can be a source of strength.

Inspiring. The family has come through this devastating experience without a second suicide (an unfortunately frequent aftermath), divorce, substance abuse, or other dysfunctions. Although they'll never forget, and their lives have been changed forever, the Sharples family has returned to a normal, healthy, even happy life. Knowing this should be encouraging to many who are waiting or will be for recovery from similar trauma and loss. Even if this form of tragedy has not touched your life, this book is sure to increase your understanding and compassion for others in turmoil.

This review was originally published at StoryCircleBookReviews(less)

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Oct 22, 2012 Ravina Andrea Kurian rated it 5 of 5 stars

I think as parents, all you ever want to do is protect your child. When you think you have failed to do this, then you have failed as a parent even if the situation is beyond your control.

This was a heartbreaking read. There were many bits when I put myself in her shoes and I could feel the sheer terror pass through my veins. I do give her a lot of credit for having the courage to document this journey to share with us.

As a book, it wasn't an easy read because you become so choked up with emot...more

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Apr 28, 2011 Janice Williams rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: women-sharing-their-experiences, memoir

"Leaving the Hall Light On" is a memoir by poet Madeline Sharples of California. Madeline is the mother of two sons. The eldest, Paul, suffered from bipolar disorder, which came on suddenly in young adulthood and resulted in his committing suicide at a young age. In the years since that terrible time, Madeline has written poetry, worked hard to maintain her own body and mind in a healthy way, and found a way to move forward, as a mother, as a wife, as a woman whose heart and spirit were broken b...more "Leaving the Hall Light On" is a memoir by poet Madeline Sharples of California. Madeline is the mother of two sons. The eldest, Paul, suffered from bipolar disorder, which came on suddenly in young adulthood and resulted in his committing suicide at a young age. In the years since that terrible time, Madeline has written poetry, worked hard to maintain her own body and mind in a healthy way, and found a way to move forward, as a mother, as a wife, as a woman whose heart and spirit were broken by the loss of a son, a son whose family tried so very hard to help him in every possible way.

There are so many people with bipolar disorder and so many families who struggle to cope with a mentally ill family member. And, sadly, so many parents who have lost a child to suicide. This is a book you will want to recommend to these hurting families.

Losing a child to suicide brings emotions and experiences to one's life that are different from losing a child to any other type of tragedy. Madeline addresses all of the "tough stuff" of being a parent in this position, but she goes beyond that. Her personality glows and the way she shares so honestly what is on her heart as she moves forward into Life, will encourage readers who face the unimaginable.

I especially appreciated reading about the practical, day-to-day events and steps Madeline took to find peace and an ability to embrace life after Paul's death. She writes about her relationship with her husband, Bob, and their son, Ben, and the book ends on a happy note: the transformation of Paul's bedroom into Madeline's writing room, and Ben's wedding to Marissa in the beautiful garden at Madeline and Bob's home.

My hope in publishing this book (I am the founder of Lucky Press) is that it will be the book that a person can give to a grieving parent; a book that will help them to feel less alone; to help them in their darkest moment as a parent, as a women, as a mother. This is a power that books can have and Madeline's book, the text interspersed with her beautiful poetry and family photos, will hopefully make a difference in the lives of other families.(less)

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Sep 13, 2012 Kara rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, autobiography, not-worth-reading, biography

This book is a huge disappointment. I honestly wanted to quit reading about 34% of the way through but stuck it out hoping something would redeem it. My father died by suicide when I was 19 and the pain and grief are enormous. However, the "stoic mother" is ridiculous. It's plastic, unrealistic and her "coping" was just becoming as obsessive as her son had been about his things. Most people don't have the money to do all the big things they did to transform their house, donate, create memorials,...more

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Oct 25, 2012 Rhonda Rae Baker rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: addiction, educational, family, friends, healing, illness, journal, loss, memoir, motivational, music, own, psychological, second-chance, writing, legacy

This is such an important story...I'm completely absorbed in Madeline and Paul's story...XO

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Oct 31, 2012 Nancy Osberg-otrembiak rated it 2 of 5 stars

The first 49% or so--although 'jumpy' (jumped around here and there too much)--was actually interesting and somewhat insightful. I was interested in this book mainly because I have a relative who is bipolar. But as is the case with many illnesses it is different for everyone and the book was about a much more severe case. Still I was intrigued until the sad suicide. After that the book was simply a self-serving monologue of the survival of the mother (the author) after her son's suicide. I kept...more

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Aug 13, 2011 Jessica Bell rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This memoir pins you down and never lets go. There wasn't one moment where I wasn't thinking about Madeline's heartbreak, and Paul's suffering, and anticipating the time I could sit down and read it again in peace. You want to immerse yourself in total silence while reading this extraordinarily powerful story. I'm not sure why I felt this way. Perhaps it was a subconscious act of respect. Perhaps I felt as if Madeline, Paul, Bob and Ben, needed my undivided attention. Actually, I think that is t...more

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Sep 24, 2012 Bivens rated it 1 of 5 stars

Did not like it. Certainly sympathized with the horror of losing a child to mental illness and suicide, but the author writes the story in a disjointed and somewhat repetitive manner. I had the strong feeling by the end of the book that I was supposed to think how wonderful she was for the way she cared for her son and subsequently memorialized him. Perhaps the strongest emotion this book engendered in me was anger.

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Oct 01, 2012 Amanda rated it 3 of 5 stars

While I do not agree with Madeline's atheist views, I can relate to the pain & emotions of being a survivor of suicide of a loved one. The real, raw emotional process she shares of both her & her family offers encouragement to anyone that has ever endured the backlash of a loved one's mental illness. I think this book is a good read for anyone that ever had such an experience.

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Oct 21, 2012 Cchelles rated it 4 of 5 stars

I thought it was a good memoir about how a mother dealt with her son's bipolar disorder. She also tells how she got through the pain of losing him and how she was able to move with her life. It's not just about death but healing too.

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Dec 29, 2012 Lauren rated it 4 of 5 stars

It was a very good book, just maybe a tad bit to long for what it was. It was a very good read though. I enjoyed it a lot.

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Sep 27, 2012 Sandra rated it 4 of 5 stars

A very moving book on a topic most of us pray we never have to deal with. To say my heart breaks for Mrs. Sharples seems like not enough. Her family has been through so much, and yet still she continues on. To lose a child is something I hope I never have to face, but I'm grateful that someone can put their painful emotions down to help the rest of us.

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Sep 19, 2012 Roberta rated it 5 of 5 stars

What a wonderful tribute to your son, Paul. I marvel at how you handled the loss and ensuing months and wonder if I could have done as well. My heart and thoughts are with you.

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The Indie Exchang...: Sept 10 is Suicide Prevention Day: Get a free Kindle edition of Madeline Sharples' memoir Sept 8, 9 & 10	3	20	Sep 10, 2012 05:54pm

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About Madeline Sharples

Although Madeline Sharples worked most of her professional life as a technical writer and editor, grant writer, and proposal manager, she fell in love with poetry and creative writing in grade school. She pursued her writing interests to high school while studying journalism and writing for the high school newspaper, and she studied journalism in college. However, she only began to fulfill her dre...more

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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15795234-leaving-the-hall-light-on?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1344311770l/15795234.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15795234-leaving-the-hall-light-on?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Leaving the Hall Light On by Madeline Sharples[/url]

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