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Black-Eyed Suzie
Suzie is a dark-eyed twelve-year-old who desperately needs to feel safe and worthy of love. Seeking only to be "good enough," she remains motionless and silent for hours on end, feeling the walls of her psychological prison pressing against her. Ultimately, Suzie finds herself in a mental hospital where she begins a long and fear-filled journey. To make sense of her world, Suzie must piece together a puzzle that involves seemingly unrelated clues--a broken bicycle, a torn picture, peacock feathers, and more--which together reveal a secret that is likely to change Suzie's life forever, and give her an opportunity to regain her voice and reclaim here spirit.
147 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2002
18 people are currently reading
928 people want to read
About the author
Susan Shaw
59 books27 followersI was born in a log cabin in Illinois - no that wasn't me!
I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, grew up outside of Philadelphia with two parents, along with a wild assortment of brothers and sisters and cats and dogs. I did things like take music lessons and play relievo or baseball in the sideyard with the neighborhood kids. Went to school, which I really hated, but somehow managed to get through anyway. I was smart, but, boy, you couldn't tell it by my grades.
Well, maybe I didn't do my homework, but I read. If it didn't move, I read it. Chances are, I wrote about it, too, in the diary I kept all through my childhood. I've heard that that's called taking notes.
Eventually, despite engaging in various activities called play that periodically involved knocking myself out, I grew up. This much amazed my grandmother who said I lived a charmed life.
After graduating from Radnor High School, I attended Temple University, graduating with a music education degree. During my college years, I met my husband, a young man named John with a cute smile and a wonderful sense of humor. I married him quick before he had a chance to get away. Ah, young love! Since that time, we've had one adventure after another together, raising children, one daughter and two sons, and our love is still young. Despite John's gray hair, he still looks twenty years old to me.
What do I do when I'm not writing? Visit friends, ride my bike, sometimes with John, sometimes not. Hiking. I love to attend plays, too. Some of my recent favorites: Doubt, The Drowsy Chaperone, Eggs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
June 6, 2008
This is an amazing story. I think it truly captures the personality of Suzie. Her struggle to reclaim at least some of her life was so realistic, I almost wondered if the author has been through the same things...It takes amazing talent to write in Suzie's point of view. To explain what she was thinking, but the author did a beautiful job. I literally couldn't put it down. (I know this sounds really cheesy and stupid, but I really love this book)
November 15, 2013
I loved this book! It is so amazing!! It has such a great story and i really reccomend it!!
August 28, 2023
It was 2008 I think, middle school. I was sitting at my desk next to my teachers, she had a little book rack with a few books on it.
It wasn’t in the best condition. Hardcover, falling apart. No dust jacket. It was called Black-Eyed Suzie. I didn’t think much of it. I judged the book based on its condition. After asking my teacher if she’s read it she said yes, that it was a darker read and might be a more difficult read for my age.
I didn’t realize how right she was.
As I started to read there at my desk I was shocked. This book hit a little too close to home. As a child who had been abused by others and never realized it. This book opened my eyes to something I didn’t really understand was wrong. And was sheltered from understanding or knowing.
In this short read, it brought me to tears. To read the abuse that was inflicted upon Suzie. To be able to relate myself to her situation in some ways. It was eye opening for me at such a young age.
It’s a simple yet complicated story of a young girl, who desperately wanted and needed to be protected. From someone who was supposed to be that for her.
I wish more kids could have read this book growing up. So many never realize that those other kids next to them, the ones they bully, make fun of, and torment, could be experiencing and going through these same things.
It opened up my eyes to a world I was sheltered from knowing and understanding. Yet I was a part of. Sometimes it takes one small decision like picking up a broken and tattered book on a lonely rack to change your whole world.
As I read it over 10 years ago I cannot speak of how well it was written or not. I can only speak on how still till this day I’m thankful I read this book. And how I still think of this book with fondness for what it did for me as a child.
It wasn’t in the best condition. Hardcover, falling apart. No dust jacket. It was called Black-Eyed Suzie. I didn’t think much of it. I judged the book based on its condition. After asking my teacher if she’s read it she said yes, that it was a darker read and might be a more difficult read for my age.
I didn’t realize how right she was.
As I started to read there at my desk I was shocked. This book hit a little too close to home. As a child who had been abused by others and never realized it. This book opened my eyes to something I didn’t really understand was wrong. And was sheltered from understanding or knowing.
In this short read, it brought me to tears. To read the abuse that was inflicted upon Suzie. To be able to relate myself to her situation in some ways. It was eye opening for me at such a young age.
It’s a simple yet complicated story of a young girl, who desperately wanted and needed to be protected. From someone who was supposed to be that for her.
I wish more kids could have read this book growing up. So many never realize that those other kids next to them, the ones they bully, make fun of, and torment, could be experiencing and going through these same things.
It opened up my eyes to a world I was sheltered from knowing and understanding. Yet I was a part of. Sometimes it takes one small decision like picking up a broken and tattered book on a lonely rack to change your whole world.
As I read it over 10 years ago I cannot speak of how well it was written or not. I can only speak on how still till this day I’m thankful I read this book. And how I still think of this book with fondness for what it did for me as a child.
November 30, 2018
I really believe that Susan Shaw did an incredible job writing "Black-Eyed Suzie." You could really feel the pain of the characters. And not only that but of how brilliant she is. This book contains two powerful social issues of child abuse and mental illness, but it is amazing how Susan Shaw connect the two. I completely recommend this book.
May 27, 2008
THIS WAS OOBBER GOOD!! but it was very depressing...... good read though
January 19, 2022
Trigger Warnings for Ab$u3 and Dr!nk!ng
What authority gave the librarians at my local library to put this in the juniors section???
What authority gave the librarians at my local library to put this in the juniors section???
March 22, 2018
I read the book, Black-eyed Suzie, by Susan Shaw. Black-eyed Suzie is about a young girl, Suzie, who’s struggling with a mental illness and crippling depression. Suzie who was once a normal girl began not being able to sleep which progressed into not being able to talk, next she could barely walk on her own. Suzie feels trapped in a box and when confronted with her illness she disappears into her “cloud”. Her cloud is simply a hallucination she uses as a security blanket. When Suzie’s uncle comes to visit he sees the state she is in and forces her parents to take her to a hospital. She is then admitted to a mental hospital. Her mother, who believes this is all for attention, is all but excited about this and blames Suzie. Throughout most of the book, we never know exactly why Suzie is depressed but we see constant signs of her mother’s alcoholism and abusiveness. Towards the end of the book, Suzie is doing a lot better she can walk, eat, color, laugh and almost talk, but she isn’t ready to be sent home yet because her doctor can tell she’s still holding back. After her sister, Deanna, comes to visit her with bandages covering her hands and forearms because of burns caused by their mother, Suzie tells the doctors about how her mother once burned her hands. We can infer that this is the cause of Suzie’s mental illness. Suzie and Deanna go to live with their Uncle Elliot and Aunt Olga while their mother gets help. The book ends with the hope of a full recovery in the future.
I can connect Black-eyed Suzie with the book 13 Reasons Why because both characters struggle with a Man versus Self conflict. Hannah and Suzie both feel depressed, misunderstood, and unloved. While Suzie never took it quite as far as Hannah, I believe she was fairly close. Hannah was struggling with mental illness brought on by her peers while Suzie’s was caused by her mother. Even though Suzie is 12 and Hannah is 17 they are still very similar in more ways than one. The main difference between Hannah and Suzie is that Suzie was able to heal and Hannah never got the chance.
I loved the realness of this book. It was serious subject and I can tell the author really put effort to get into the mindset of a girl like Suzie. I also liked how the book made it known that her mother was the antagonist but didn’t paint her as a villain. I disliked how Suzie never fully healed. The book ended with the hope of completely healing but we never got to actually read about a full recovery. Personally, I like books with a clear happily ever after ending.
I can connect Black-eyed Suzie with the book 13 Reasons Why because both characters struggle with a Man versus Self conflict. Hannah and Suzie both feel depressed, misunderstood, and unloved. While Suzie never took it quite as far as Hannah, I believe she was fairly close. Hannah was struggling with mental illness brought on by her peers while Suzie’s was caused by her mother. Even though Suzie is 12 and Hannah is 17 they are still very similar in more ways than one. The main difference between Hannah and Suzie is that Suzie was able to heal and Hannah never got the chance.
I loved the realness of this book. It was serious subject and I can tell the author really put effort to get into the mindset of a girl like Suzie. I also liked how the book made it known that her mother was the antagonist but didn’t paint her as a villain. I disliked how Suzie never fully healed. The book ended with the hope of completely healing but we never got to actually read about a full recovery. Personally, I like books with a clear happily ever after ending.
Currently reading
October 30, 2013It was a really good book, i felt that i could connect to it a lot. Definatley recomend to people with schizopherenia or any other mental disorder like the main charatcer. Very good use of vords.
August 24, 2022
🦇Review Contains Major Spoilers 🦇
Content Warnings for Novel:
- Child abuse + neglect
- Alcoholic parent; drunkenness, drinking, substance abuse, Alcoholics Anonymous, etc.
- Absent parent
- Vivid and detailed descriptions of depression and dissociation
- Doctors, nurses, therapists, and psychiatrists
- Severe mental illness from many characters throughout the novel.
🦇Note: This book is very serious and can easily be triggering. Read at your own risk.
|| ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ||
— 🦇 This book deals with a lot of serious topics, but if you’re someone who’s fascinated with psychology and enjoys reading from the perspective of someone with a lot of mental health issues, then I definitely recommend giving this a read. Susan Shaw did a phenomenal job at depicting Suzie’s depression and dissociative state—it’s very uncommon to even hear about DP/DR ( derealization and depersonalization ) within a mental illness, let alone as a symptom. Her out-of-body experiences were described extremely well, as if you could really put yourself in this 11yo girl’s shoes and understand it all.
The abuse Suzie and her older sister endure from her mother is surprising to read, but sadly realistic. Her mother is bitter, hateful, and physically abusive to them yet somehow she tries to convince them she loves them. Things only change when the rest of Suzie’s family intervenes, a typical outcome for children like her.
|| ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ||
— 🦇 It was almost 5 stars for me, but there are a few things I dislike about it. I don’t feel like the story needed Karen as another minor antagonist; her mother was already introduced as the villain of the story after she was described as abusive and she was consistent enough throughout the story ( insisting Suzie was faking it, trying to find ways to get her out of the hospital, etc ) to still be seen as an antagonist character. It was just a bit distracting.
I’m also not really a fan of her mother’s sudden change of heart at the end when she’s lovingly reunited with Suzie. Her promising to get sober out of nowhere ( especially after the trauma we learn at the end of the story ) just felt unrealistic. But it’s a good story, at least.
4 stars :) a good and interesting read if you can handle serious books.
Content Warnings for Novel:
- Child abuse + neglect
- Alcoholic parent; drunkenness, drinking, substance abuse, Alcoholics Anonymous, etc.
- Absent parent
- Vivid and detailed descriptions of depression and dissociation
- Doctors, nurses, therapists, and psychiatrists
- Severe mental illness from many characters throughout the novel.
🦇Note: This book is very serious and can easily be triggering. Read at your own risk.
|| ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ||
— 🦇 This book deals with a lot of serious topics, but if you’re someone who’s fascinated with psychology and enjoys reading from the perspective of someone with a lot of mental health issues, then I definitely recommend giving this a read. Susan Shaw did a phenomenal job at depicting Suzie’s depression and dissociative state—it’s very uncommon to even hear about DP/DR ( derealization and depersonalization ) within a mental illness, let alone as a symptom. Her out-of-body experiences were described extremely well, as if you could really put yourself in this 11yo girl’s shoes and understand it all.
The abuse Suzie and her older sister endure from her mother is surprising to read, but sadly realistic. Her mother is bitter, hateful, and physically abusive to them yet somehow she tries to convince them she loves them. Things only change when the rest of Suzie’s family intervenes, a typical outcome for children like her.
|| ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ||
— 🦇 It was almost 5 stars for me, but there are a few things I dislike about it. I don’t feel like the story needed Karen as another minor antagonist; her mother was already introduced as the villain of the story after she was described as abusive and she was consistent enough throughout the story ( insisting Suzie was faking it, trying to find ways to get her out of the hospital, etc ) to still be seen as an antagonist character. It was just a bit distracting.
I’m also not really a fan of her mother’s sudden change of heart at the end when she’s lovingly reunited with Suzie. Her promising to get sober out of nowhere ( especially after the trauma we learn at the end of the story ) just felt unrealistic. But it’s a good story, at least.
4 stars :) a good and interesting read if you can handle serious books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2018
The book "Black-Eyed Suzie," is about a girl who is stuck in what she thinks is a box and cannot escape. Since Suzie is believing she is in this box she is no longer sleeping, eating and speaking, so her uncle and parents decide to take her to a mental hospital. While in the mental hospital she remembers how horrible her mother treated her and it doesn't help her get any better, until she meets Stella and Joshua. Once she meets Stella and Joshua she beings to learn what safety and love really is. After her sister Deanna comes to visit, Suzie notices Deanna is burned badly, she then finds out her mother did it to her. Suzie spends her first sentence telling Stella what had happened to Deanna, and after that she starts developing more sentences and is able to leave the hospital to live with Deanna and their aunt and uncle.
Just like Suzie, some kids have abusive parents and are scared of them. Kids who have abusive parents do have trust and safety issues just like Suzie did. The way that Suzie got over it is going to the mental hospital and having trusting people there to take care of her. Just like Suzies parents, kids with abusive parents are often taken away from them to live with a trustable relative. Parents who are abusive tend to be heavy drinkers and get better after their children are taken away, just like how Suzies mom promised she would.
The part I didn't like so much in this story is how the antagonist, Karen, was very abusive to Suzie, which also helped develop the conflict. The parts I liked in the book is how it had intense imagery. This book shows imagery when it describes her box and what it felt like for her to be trapped inside of it. Also it shows imagery about things that she likes, like the peacock feather, the drawing of her and her chair that she likes to sit in while she is in her box. I recommend "Black-Eyed Suzie," because it shows the point-of-view of a 12-year-old girl that has a mental illness and isn't able to speak of it.
Just like Suzie, some kids have abusive parents and are scared of them. Kids who have abusive parents do have trust and safety issues just like Suzie did. The way that Suzie got over it is going to the mental hospital and having trusting people there to take care of her. Just like Suzies parents, kids with abusive parents are often taken away from them to live with a trustable relative. Parents who are abusive tend to be heavy drinkers and get better after their children are taken away, just like how Suzies mom promised she would.
The part I didn't like so much in this story is how the antagonist, Karen, was very abusive to Suzie, which also helped develop the conflict. The parts I liked in the book is how it had intense imagery. This book shows imagery when it describes her box and what it felt like for her to be trapped inside of it. Also it shows imagery about things that she likes, like the peacock feather, the drawing of her and her chair that she likes to sit in while she is in her box. I recommend "Black-Eyed Suzie," because it shows the point-of-view of a 12-year-old girl that has a mental illness and isn't able to speak of it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2019
The story of Black-Eyed Suzie is that of a beautiful tragedy. Beautiful because of the way Susan Shas put the story together. It immediately enthralls the reader capturing attention through ominous undertones while leaving the reader in the dark about the true conditions of Suzies life. The story is so eloquently put together and evokes so iuchbemtion from the reader that it might even make the reader quosstipm whether or not the story might af actually be true. Suzie a girl yearning for love and sipoort that she never had a chance to get, it takes the reader through a mindfield of a little girl who’s had enough it is truly a power telling tell of a situation which infact could be true.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2017
Like many of the best YA novels, this book deals with difficult subjects: child abuse and depression. The author does a good job of showing the impact of depression on a young woman without resorting to sensationalism.
March 23, 2020
Thia book is why I wanted to enter the mental health field...a great look at how trauma causes so many issues within a family.
November 24, 2021
Amazing! A deeply introspective look into the mental ramifications of abuse.
January 15, 2023
good book, easy and light read (for me)
May 25, 2023
Tragic story. I loved it so much.
August 7, 2024
Seriously a riveting book. From beginning to end you are immersed into Susie’s life and her box. It’s a quick read!
February 4, 2015
Black-eyed suzie, while it is written in a style that those age twelve and up will be able to comprehend, is a pretty intense read for all intents and purposes. Especially if you are old enough to fully understand the subject matter. Novels about child abuse are difficult for me to read. I was not a victim of such a horrific crime, but I've always found that I empathize with and connect with sufferers like Suzie, as I spent a lot of my childhood and adolescent years feeling "trapped in a box" myself. However, I will read nearly any book that I feel has the potential for me to connect with its characters and story. While Black-eyed Suzie has an unassuming cover, the book flap immediately drew me in.
**Some minor Spoilers may follow!!**
The characters are the shining star of this book. Obviously, young Suzie and her painful existence sucked me in very, very fast. Within the first few pages of the novel I was anxious to see Suzie on the road to recovery and could hardly wait for this precious girl to get the happy ending she so desperately deserved. Whether she does or not, you'll have to find out! Suzie's family are as interesting as they are unbelievably frustrating. Her parents wallow in such ignorance and denial that it is actually painful to read at times, but this is a good thing for me! Susan Shaw clearly has the ability to craft her characters in such a way that they draw ire from the reader. One of Suzie's allies, her sister Deanna, is probably the book's unsung hero. While she is older than Suzie and does not show the psychological signs of abuse as clearly as Suzie does, her courage and suffering ends up being crucial. The staff and other patients at the children's mental institution--St. Dorothy's--where Suzie stays are kind and patient. For the most part. There is Stella, the kindly doctor assigned to Suzie's case. There is Jody and Marie, two of the nurses who do a lot of the nitty gritty stuff with Suzie. There's Edgar, the laughing man who helps the children draw. There are a few children in the ward as well, who end up playing a key role in Suzie's journey. Again, all of the characters are excellently done and from my experience with psychiatric professionals, pretty realistic. Susan Shaw does an great job with them!!
The plot is great. The book is told in sections that only last about a page or two on average, sometimes more, sometimes less. They alternate between scenes in the present at St. Dororthy's or, at the beginning, Suzie's home, and scenes from Suzie's past before the "incident". The pacing is good and wow is this book a page-turner, I read the entire thing in two sittings in one night because I absolutely had to find out what happened to poor Suzie and I yearned to know where she ended up. The journey to get there is no less interesting simply because I flew through it, though. It really is a great story. The ending was pretty predictable, I must say. For most of the revelations/events at the end, there were signs pointing directly to them. However, that doesn't make the outcome any less enjoyable. At least, for me.
Overall, a really fantastic book. One of my favorites. My only real qualm with it is that it is so short! I crave more of Suzie's story and wish there had been more meat in the story itself. As far as I know, there are no sequels or plans for a sequel and with the road to recovery in any situation so painfully long, I know that Suzie's story cannot be truly finished with this book. However, I do not believe such a sequel will ever materialize so it's up to the reader to theorize about Suzie's future and fill in the gaps in the story. One of my favorite books, despite its rather serious subject matter it is a comfort read for me and I know the story virtually by heart.
**Some minor Spoilers may follow!!**
The characters are the shining star of this book. Obviously, young Suzie and her painful existence sucked me in very, very fast. Within the first few pages of the novel I was anxious to see Suzie on the road to recovery and could hardly wait for this precious girl to get the happy ending she so desperately deserved. Whether she does or not, you'll have to find out! Suzie's family are as interesting as they are unbelievably frustrating. Her parents wallow in such ignorance and denial that it is actually painful to read at times, but this is a good thing for me! Susan Shaw clearly has the ability to craft her characters in such a way that they draw ire from the reader. One of Suzie's allies, her sister Deanna, is probably the book's unsung hero. While she is older than Suzie and does not show the psychological signs of abuse as clearly as Suzie does, her courage and suffering ends up being crucial. The staff and other patients at the children's mental institution--St. Dorothy's--where Suzie stays are kind and patient. For the most part. There is Stella, the kindly doctor assigned to Suzie's case. There is Jody and Marie, two of the nurses who do a lot of the nitty gritty stuff with Suzie. There's Edgar, the laughing man who helps the children draw. There are a few children in the ward as well, who end up playing a key role in Suzie's journey. Again, all of the characters are excellently done and from my experience with psychiatric professionals, pretty realistic. Susan Shaw does an great job with them!!
The plot is great. The book is told in sections that only last about a page or two on average, sometimes more, sometimes less. They alternate between scenes in the present at St. Dororthy's or, at the beginning, Suzie's home, and scenes from Suzie's past before the "incident". The pacing is good and wow is this book a page-turner, I read the entire thing in two sittings in one night because I absolutely had to find out what happened to poor Suzie and I yearned to know where she ended up. The journey to get there is no less interesting simply because I flew through it, though. It really is a great story. The ending was pretty predictable, I must say. For most of the revelations/events at the end, there were signs pointing directly to them. However, that doesn't make the outcome any less enjoyable. At least, for me.
Overall, a really fantastic book. One of my favorites. My only real qualm with it is that it is so short! I crave more of Suzie's story and wish there had been more meat in the story itself. As far as I know, there are no sequels or plans for a sequel and with the road to recovery in any situation so painfully long, I know that Suzie's story cannot be truly finished with this book. However, I do not believe such a sequel will ever materialize so it's up to the reader to theorize about Suzie's future and fill in the gaps in the story. One of my favorite books, despite its rather serious subject matter it is a comfort read for me and I know the story virtually by heart.
September 17, 2011
I like how the book begins with Suzie, a 12 year old girl, admiring her mother and talking about how she's good at a lot of things then gradually it's apparent to the reader that the mother is extremely bad at one thing: being a mother. This book is partly about child abuse (mostly emotional), mental illness, and learning to deal.
I am not exactly sure what mental illness it is that Suzie has since it is not stated and I'm no expert. I believe she has post-traumatic stress disorder which is what some children who have been abused may end up with. Like I said though, I'm not 100% sure. Either way Suzie is depressed to the point that she cannot talk or move quickly and always has to sit in a certain way. While she's at the mental institution, her mother and a few others tell her that she's not trying to talk and not trying to get better, but like Suzie says, there is no trying, it's not something she can simply do, she just has no words and that's what may help her get out of that place.
As a reader, one will feel awful for poor Suzie and come to hate her parents and sometimes even Deanna, Suzie's sister. The fact that Suzie can't help but love her mother is awful, but I can understand that. It must be hard not to love someone who's cared for you . Her mother did have her good moments after all. What is worse is that Suzie blames herself for her mother's behavior which is what occurs most of the time with a child who has been abused. I wish someone had been there for Suzie in the beginning so that they could tell her there is no excuse for someone to hurt another and it is of course not Suzie's fault that her mother is abusive towards her. As readers find out these thoughts from Suzie, they will want to hug the poor girl.
In the beginning of the story, the author has a few unanswered questions about why Suzie is the way she is. It's clear her mother is abusive, but it is unclear just to what extent and it's not apparent if anything else happened to Suzie. Slowly while Suzie is recovering at St. Dorothy's, there are flashbacks with clues that give insight to what happened to Suzie. These flashbacks include more information on how horrible Suzie's mother can be towards her and the awful things she's said to her daughter. The reader is also given small pieces of information that all add up by the end of the book.
What I did not like about this book was the reason given for the mother's behavior. Supposedly she is an alcoholic, but the reader does not really "see" this so it's almost hard to believe (if that makes sense). The end itself also somewhat disappointed me because it seemed to have gotten wrapped up in a clean way which was strange considering the situation. Suzie does say she has doubts which make it more realistic, but either way, I was not a fan of the ending.
I recommend this read for those that are interested in seeing through the eyes of a girl who has been abused and an alcoholic "mother." The author really manages to convince you that these thoughts are those that a girl like Suzie would have and boy does it put you in her shoes. It's also a neat book about friendship (aww Joshua how I will miss you!) and learning how at times it may be important to speak whether you want to or not.
-T.V and Book Addict
Quotes:
From Suzie's concerned uncle
"'Look at her,' he says. 'Look at the circles under her eyes. When was the last time she ate? Or smiled? Or talked? And her hair…'"
Suzie's thoughts in reply to the above words
"'I can't comb my hair', I want to explain. You can't do that when you have to sit so still. And smiling takes so much energy…'"
I am not exactly sure what mental illness it is that Suzie has since it is not stated and I'm no expert. I believe she has post-traumatic stress disorder which is what some children who have been abused may end up with. Like I said though, I'm not 100% sure. Either way Suzie is depressed to the point that she cannot talk or move quickly and always has to sit in a certain way. While she's at the mental institution, her mother and a few others tell her that she's not trying to talk and not trying to get better, but like Suzie says, there is no trying, it's not something she can simply do, she just has no words and that's what may help her get out of that place.
As a reader, one will feel awful for poor Suzie and come to hate her parents and sometimes even Deanna, Suzie's sister. The fact that Suzie can't help but love her mother is awful, but I can understand that. It must be hard not to love someone who's cared for you . Her mother did have her good moments after all. What is worse is that Suzie blames herself for her mother's behavior which is what occurs most of the time with a child who has been abused. I wish someone had been there for Suzie in the beginning so that they could tell her there is no excuse for someone to hurt another and it is of course not Suzie's fault that her mother is abusive towards her. As readers find out these thoughts from Suzie, they will want to hug the poor girl.
In the beginning of the story, the author has a few unanswered questions about why Suzie is the way she is. It's clear her mother is abusive, but it is unclear just to what extent and it's not apparent if anything else happened to Suzie. Slowly while Suzie is recovering at St. Dorothy's, there are flashbacks with clues that give insight to what happened to Suzie. These flashbacks include more information on how horrible Suzie's mother can be towards her and the awful things she's said to her daughter. The reader is also given small pieces of information that all add up by the end of the book.
What I did not like about this book was the reason given for the mother's behavior. Supposedly she is an alcoholic, but the reader does not really "see" this so it's almost hard to believe (if that makes sense). The end itself also somewhat disappointed me because it seemed to have gotten wrapped up in a clean way which was strange considering the situation. Suzie does say she has doubts which make it more realistic, but either way, I was not a fan of the ending.
I recommend this read for those that are interested in seeing through the eyes of a girl who has been abused and an alcoholic "mother." The author really manages to convince you that these thoughts are those that a girl like Suzie would have and boy does it put you in her shoes. It's also a neat book about friendship (aww Joshua how I will miss you!) and learning how at times it may be important to speak whether you want to or not.
-T.V and Book Addict
Quotes:
From Suzie's concerned uncle
"'Look at her,' he says. 'Look at the circles under her eyes. When was the last time she ate? Or smiled? Or talked? And her hair…'"
Suzie's thoughts in reply to the above words
"'I can't comb my hair', I want to explain. You can't do that when you have to sit so still. And smiling takes so much energy…'"
June 18, 2013
Black-eyed Suzie by Suzan Shaw was an intense psychological read, filled with emotion and sensory description. Suzan does an impeccable job with capturing the thoughts of a 12 year-old girl dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and many other psychological disorders. I really enjoyed Suzie’s thoughts throughout this book; how she so desperately strived for words and eventually I was almost cheering her on to finally get those few words out. Every page was a step closer towards her recovery. I almost felt like her psychologist watching her progress during her time in the hospital. I loved the way Suzan Shaw described Suzie’s cloud of comfort and escape from the real world. Her sensory was so in depth that it almost makes me wonder if Suzan Shaw went through a similar experience in her life. It would make sense considering the correlation between her name and the fiction characters name (Suzie) in her book. Another aspect of this book that I enjoyed was that Suzie’s mother was not forgotten but was also admitted into an Alcoholic Anonymous program to receive help with her drinking problem. It made the book feel much more realistic because I could sense the future that lies ahead for Suzie and her family. Black-eyed Suzie was an overall great read, and I would highly recommend it to people looking for a psychological twist, and insight into the mind of a broken child.
February 6, 2009
Suzie has stopped talking. She has drawn herself into a box that no one else can see, but which is getting ever smaller. When she begins crying, to the point that nothing can stop her, her uncle finally insists that she get professional help.
At St. Dorothy's, a mental hospital, Suzie is treated with kindness as patience by the staff. One patient, Joshua, actually becomes her friend, but another, Karen, is always angry, terrorizing Suzie by yelling at her, tearing her picture, and breaking a mirror Suzie's sister gave her.
Slowly, we learn what happened to Suzie to make her withdraw into her "box" and when she finally leaves St. Dorothy's, it's to a much better situation. What Shaw does that is so amazing in this book is to make us feel sympathy even for the least sympathetic characters. When Suzie witnesses Karen sobbing in the common room, we realize that Karen's anger is not an indication that she is a horrible person, but that she herself has some deep problems. My heart went out to Joshua, in denial about his father's death, to Suzie's sister Deanna who finally has the courage to tell the truth, and to Suzie herself, finally coming out of her box.
At St. Dorothy's, a mental hospital, Suzie is treated with kindness as patience by the staff. One patient, Joshua, actually becomes her friend, but another, Karen, is always angry, terrorizing Suzie by yelling at her, tearing her picture, and breaking a mirror Suzie's sister gave her.
Slowly, we learn what happened to Suzie to make her withdraw into her "box" and when she finally leaves St. Dorothy's, it's to a much better situation. What Shaw does that is so amazing in this book is to make us feel sympathy even for the least sympathetic characters. When Suzie witnesses Karen sobbing in the common room, we realize that Karen's anger is not an indication that she is a horrible person, but that she herself has some deep problems. My heart went out to Joshua, in denial about his father's death, to Suzie's sister Deanna who finally has the courage to tell the truth, and to Suzie herself, finally coming out of her box.
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October 31, 2010This book did not catch me from the cover. I actually had no reason to read this book. i just simply grabbed it off the bookshelf. but i was glad i did because i really love this book so much now. the reason i liked it was because it brought so much emotion to the plot. while i was reading this book i really got teary because of what was going on in the book. basically it is about a 12 years old girl, Suzie who had a mental problem since she always imagines herself in a small box that would squeeze her when she is scared. throughout the entire book i was anxious to find out the real reason to what caused her to be like this. i loved the book because it talks about a real problem that is happening in the world today. i do not relate to this book because i never went to a mental hospital before. also i was never abused before. i definately recommend this book to all of my friends because this book is short but full of feeling. my eyes got watery when i read about how Suzie's mother abused her.i just feel you don't have to relate to the story to know the pain the girl is going through.
July 28, 2013
I grabbed this book on a whim and read it just coming off of Jay Asher's "13 Reasons Why" as I really liked that book and figured it had the same themes based on the summary. Given the heavy subject matter (young girl mentally institutionalized, sure there was some abuse but not sure to what extent, etc.) this is an engaging study of the main character and what some kids go through who have similar home lives. As this is told in first person, we see into Suzie's mind and are better able to understand that even though she does not talk or engage, there is a constant internal monologue going on and she is reacting emotionally to what is going on around her.
I read a couple of reviews afterward which criticized the story for SPOILER HERE what seemed to be a quick fix for Suzie. It can also be argued that someone of that age who has gone through what these characters do would shut down internally as well, which is a valid argument, but then there would be no story as who else could tell it?
I read a couple of reviews afterward which criticized the story for SPOILER HERE what seemed to be a quick fix for Suzie. It can also be argued that someone of that age who has gone through what these characters do would shut down internally as well, which is a valid argument, but then there would be no story as who else could tell it?
September 8, 2014
This is a very quick read, but it is a story I will not soon forget. It's centers on Suzi who at the beginning of the book is suffering from a crippling form of depression and is put in a mental hospital. She is a middle school student and slowly we learn her story from her point of view and there are flashbacks as well to past events that have helped put her in this depression. It is a story of abuse and loneliness. I not only loved Suzi but also the all the characters around her in this story.
My heart broke for her and for some the others in the hospital with her and her sister.
I also liked the fact that the author did show that even though Suzi was a victim of abuse and neglect she still wanted just to be back at home going through the same situations that had put her in the state of deep depression. I believe this is the way it really is where some victims are concerned.
A very short but beautifully written book. I highly recommend it to others!
My heart broke for her and for some the others in the hospital with her and her sister.
I also liked the fact that the author did show that even though Suzi was a victim of abuse and neglect she still wanted just to be back at home going through the same situations that had put her in the state of deep depression. I believe this is the way it really is where some victims are concerned.
A very short but beautifully written book. I highly recommend it to others!
September 26, 2017
Twelve-year-old Suzie has completely lost touch with reality. She is unable to eat, talk, sleep, or walk and sits in a cramped fetal position and cries. Her mother is infuriated by this "stage" she’s in; her father is concerned but distant. It is only when Suzie’s uncle forces the family to acknowledge that something is wrong and she is hospitalized that the child can begin to heal. The book is narrated by the inner voice of a character who can’t speak because she simply “doesn’t have any words,” and she is the only character who is fully developed. Details of the abuse that caused Suzie’s breakdown slowly emerge, but when the girl is confronted with the danger her older sister is in, she heroically responds. Once the truth is revealed, Suzie’s recovery is unrealistically quick, but this is a riveting story that could well serve to help other children deal with a difficult family situation.
July 20, 2025
I really love this book! I first read this book in 4th/5th grade and I recently remembered it. I struggled to find it; all I could remember was that there was a cardboard box, a mental hospital, a bench near a pond, and a girl who was mute. I was so proud when I found it and I recognized the title instantly. One thing I love about this book is how quick if a read it is. Now, at 16, I’m really surprised that this was a book that I could check out at my school’s library. I think the story is really sweet and I cried while reading. The character are really well done and the only reason why I have it a 4 instead of a 5 was because of the young writing. I think that if the book was written for an older audience and the writing was more mature, it would be a 5! Nonetheless, this book is beautiful, sad, and does a great job at painting an image in your head!
May 10, 2010
The book "Black-eyed Suzie" by Susan Shaw is about a twelve-year-old girl Suzie. Suzie stops doing things that a normal human being does. She stops eating, sleeping, walking, and talking. She doesn't even talk to her mother, father, sister, or her best friend. The only thing she does is cry. Her mother keeps on saying that she is in a "stage." Her uncle forces her to be taken to a hospital to get help. Little by little, she begins to heal in a mental hospital.
This book was very interesting. It was interesting to read from a perspective of a girl who doesn't speak. The author leads the readers through a journey of how Suzie finds her voice to speak about what actually happened. The author does a good job of revealing Suzie's feelings without her speaking. This book is recommended.
This book was very interesting. It was interesting to read from a perspective of a girl who doesn't speak. The author leads the readers through a journey of how Suzie finds her voice to speak about what actually happened. The author does a good job of revealing Suzie's feelings without her speaking. This book is recommended.
November 16, 2010
This book is about a twelve-year-old girl, Suzie. Suzie stops doing things that a normal human being does such as eating, sleeping, walking, and talking. The only thing she does is cry. Her mother keeps on saying that she is in a "stage." Her uncle forces her to be taken to a hospital to get help. Little by little, she begins to heal in a mental hospital. She begins to speak about what actually happened.
This book was very interesting and a bit sad. It was interesting to read from a perspective of a girl who doesn't speak. If I was in Suzie's shoe, it would be difficult for me to not do those things that a normal human being would. The author did a good job of revealing Suzie's feelings without her speaking. This book is recommended to everyone.
This book was very interesting and a bit sad. It was interesting to read from a perspective of a girl who doesn't speak. If I was in Suzie's shoe, it would be difficult for me to not do those things that a normal human being would. The author did a good job of revealing Suzie's feelings without her speaking. This book is recommended to everyone.
July 17, 2010
I loved this book! I think this book is really interesting because in other books it shows the mental illness from someone else's point of view but in Black-Eyed Suzie it shows it from the mentally ill person's view, and I think thats very unique. This book gives you a look on the inside of Suzie's mind and shows you the story from her eyes and that I think is how a lot of books should be written, but thats only in my opinion. Though I loved the book the ending I didn't favor too much but I liked it.
June 8, 2011
many thanks to my dear friend twain for for lending me this book! (;
i don't care how absurd suzie is when she's sitting curled up in her golden chair. karen's bullying wrapped up too easily though. but i love the story. i am sorry for what suzie and deanna had to go through.. i know its fiction but i do know somewhere out there are going through what suz had gone through. its sad when children get mistreated and abused by their own parents..
this novel is a real tearjerker! praises to susan shaw! ((:
i don't care how absurd suzie is when she's sitting curled up in her golden chair. karen's bullying wrapped up too easily though. but i love the story. i am sorry for what suzie and deanna had to go through.. i know its fiction but i do know somewhere out there are going through what suz had gone through. its sad when children get mistreated and abused by their own parents..
this novel is a real tearjerker! praises to susan shaw! ((:
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