The Blackbird Singularity by Matt Wilven - 3 stars

[Megalion]

This is one of those times where I can't relate enough to the characters or situation to engage with the book.

I have no kids so I've never even contemplated the pain of losing one. However, usually I can find a way to empathize.

This time, I simply can't.

Vince is bipolar. As am I. But I can't relate to his experience because in my opinion, he's making stupid decisions. Yet at the same time, I'm all too aware that the psychological ramifications of being bipolar is caused by physiology.

In other words, our brain chemistry is jacked and messing with our minds. Not unlike a brain tumor only ours is incurable. Meds only go so far and it requires committment on the part of the individual to stay on them. Catch 22: stability often comes at a cost of joie de vivre and/or clear thinking. Is it worth being numb?

Vince's story lets the reader in on what it's like inside the mind of one bipolar person. Emphasis on one. There's a wide spectrum of how people are affected both by the condition and how we respond to meds.

Back to the loss of a child, this is the traumatic instance that blew Vince out of the water and triggered the latent bipolar in him.

His wife is also struggling and while couples often struggle to stay together in their mutual grief, Vince's condition makes it even harder.

This isn't a bad story. It's a your mileage may vary situation and I suspect it'll be a 4 star read for many folks.

I'm giving it a 3 even though I've decided to let go of the story at just past 50%.

Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for this honest review.