Maddy Banks, a college student at NYU, is diagnosed with bipolar disorder. As she begins treatment, she grapples with her mental health while discovering a passion for stand up comedy.

I deeply appreciated Genova’s nuanced portrayal of mental health and her honest depiction of how progress isn’t always linear, regression is often part of the journey. Her writing offers profound insight into these conditions, making it impossible not to empathize with Maddy through every step of her story. I felt her joy and heartbreak, particularly during her struggles with depressive and manic episodes, especially when listening to the audiobook, narrated by Tessa Albertson . Overall, Genova’s rare talent for weaving real-life human connections into narratives about neurological conditions makes her work truly exceptional.

Thank you Galley and Simon Audio for the ARC!

Lisa Geneva’s books are a must read for anyone trying to understand mental illness. I love the way she throughly researches the topic and builds a story to incorporate all aspects of the illness with characters so real that you are routing for each one of them. Maddy, the main character is bipolar and we experience all her highs and lows as well as all the secondary characters in the book. All the relationships with her family and love interests are fully on display. The positive ending is heartwarming as Maddy and her family learn how to live and love with the diagnosis.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced eGalley of the book. All opinions expressed are my own.
#MoreOrLessMaddy #LisaGenova #NetGalley

Mental illness is never straightforward, nor can you say it is the same for each person.

Maddy's story takes the reader on a roller coaster of emotion as she is diagnosed with bipolar... and comes to terms with it.

Not only her though- it was so thoughtful and engaging how Genova weaved in the responses of Maddy's mother, sister, boyfriend and friends.

As the reader you too feel like you are trying to make sense of it all and understand it and keep up, which in a sense mirrors the reality some may go through when faced with a diagnosis such as this for themselves or someone they love.

I found this to be warm, real, beautiful and witty.
Fully recommend!

As 2025 approaches, I’ve decided to implement a new grading system to distinguish exceptional five-star reads from others. Some books are so mind-blowing they deserve a special ten-star rating and a prominent spot in your personal library to revisit time and again. Lisa Genova’s More or Less Maddy is one such book—offering hope that 2025 will be a groundbreaking year for literature. Not only is it one of the best books of the year, but it also deserves a place among the all-time greats.

This novel’s treatment of bipolar disorder is groundbreaking—sensitive, honest, and deeply empathetic. It captures the struggles, emotional shifts, and survival mechanisms with striking authenticity. You’ll find yourself stepping into Maddy’s shoes, feeling her pain and uncertainty, and wondering how you’d cope if faced with a life-altering diagnosis at such a young age, with your whole life ahead of you. Would you deny it and try to carry on as normal, or follow the strict rules imposed by protective parents? What would become of your dreams? Your future?

The story follows 19-year-old NYU student Maddy Banks, who learns of her bipolar diagnosis after being prescribed a stimulant for her depression at the university health center. The stimulant triggers manic episodes, leading to her discovery. The treatment process—complete with new medications that leave her drowsy, dizzy, and emotionally drained—is especially challenging for Maddy, who lives in a family obsessed with appearances. Her mother, in particular, enforces strict rules to prevent a recurrence of Maddy’s earlier manic episode, further complicating her adjustment process.

Maddy’s journey takes an unexpected turn when she discovers a passion for comedy. After being encouraged to share her writings on stage, she begins exploring stand-up comedy—despite her mother’s protests, who views this newfound passion as a symptom of her illness. Her mother equates it to Maddy’s past delusional belief that she could be best friends with Taylor Swift.

Determined to break free from her mother’s control, Maddy defies the rules, sneaks out, and lies about her whereabouts to pursue her dream of becoming a comedian. Her journey is fraught with challenges, including mental struggles and societal expectations. Can she carve out her place in the world, embrace her true self, and live beyond the limitations of her diagnosis?

Overall:
It’s been a long time since a book shook me to my core and took my emotions on such a powerful ride. I wholeheartedly loved Maddy’s journey and deeply admire the author’s creativity and thoughtful approach to mental health awareness. I cannot recommend this book enough—just read it!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books/Scout Press for providing me with a digital reviewer copy of this remarkable book in exchange for my honest opinions.

Lisa Genova has an extraordinary talent for portraying the deeply personal and family-centered struggles of living with complex illnesses. As a Harvard-trained neuroscientist and bestselling author, she doesn’t just tell stories—she immerses readers in the emotional and scientific realities her characters face. From Still Alice, about Alzheimer’s disease, to Every Note Played, which explores ALS, Genova masterfully bridges the gap between science and humanity.

Her latest novel, More or Less Maddy, delves into the world of bipolar disorder with unflinching honesty and compassion. This gripping story captures the raw emotions, relentless challenges, and complex dynamics of a family navigating mental illness. As I read, I saw echoes of friends’ experiences—the hidden knives, the constant worry, the desperate pleas: “Please, don’t go on that trip.” Genova’s depiction is so vivid and real, it’s impossible not to recognize the truths so many families live with every day.

This book is a lifeline—not only for those managing bipolar disorder but also for their loved ones. It offers a rare and profound opportunity for understanding and empathy, shedding light on the arduous journey to find effective treatment and stability. Genova’s storytelling once again proves she has a gift for transforming clinical truths into deeply human, profoundly moving narratives.

More or Less Maddy isn’t just a novel—it’s a testament to resilience and the power of connection. This is a book that will linger in your mind and heart, helping readers grasp the invisible struggles behind a diagnosis and inspiring the empathy we all need to navigate life’s challenges together.

Another excellent, informative, can’t put down read by Lisa Genova. Like her other novels, this one focuses on a character living with a chronic illness, but, in this case, the focus is on a mental illness.

The story is about Maddy, a young woman in her late teens who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder. We follow the ups and downs she faces as she learns to navigate life and live with a chronic illness. She deals not only with the illness itself, including medication side effects, but also the impacts on her relationships with her family and friends.

The reader vividly experiences what it must be like to live with bipolar disorder - it is clear the author has done a lot of research and has spoken to those with lived experience. Maddy feels real and three-dimensional - she could be any of us.

As well as the physical manifestations of the illness, Maddy is faced with coming to terms with the stigma around mental illness and it being hidden away and treated by society very differently than if she was dealing with a physical illness. Other themes explored include women trying to make it in less traditional fields (Maddy wants to be a stand-up comedian), the unnecessary burden of societal and family expectations, and living life to the fullest.

I enjoyed this compassionate but realistic look at mental illness and hope that more fiction novels include characters with mental health challenges and illnesses because it is something that affects many of us personally, directly or indirectly.

I will read anything that this author writes!

Thanks to the publisher for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

This was a hard one. I can't speak as someone who has bipolar but I can as a family member to someone who is bipolar. This hit me hard in the feelings. There were many times that I was like yup been there, had that fear, that sounds familiar. This was well written and shows both sides of the story. It shows what the family deals with as well as what the person who is diagnosed is dealing with. If you are bipolar or if you know someone who is I think this is a great book for you to read.

Oh my gosh, I devoured this in less than a day. What an amazing story. I think this is already a contender for top ten of 2025!!!! I was IN IT with Maddy, riding the (manic) highs and trying to tough out the lows.... the author did an amazing job making me feel exactly how I imagined Maddy was feeling. Outstanding. I will be thinking about this book for a very long time.

What a solid and intriguing start to a novel! From the first chapter, it’s clear that feminism is at the heart of this story. The bold commentary on everything from PMS to men blaming their bad behavior on a woman’s period immediately sets the tone for the sharp, unapologetic voice of the narrative.

Reading More or Less Maddy is tough, though. It’s heartbreaking to witness Maddy’s journey—especially during her manic episodes, where she can’t see the harm in her actions and genuinely believes in her distorted reality. This aspect of the book hits hard because it feels so real. As someone who has observed similar struggles, it’s painfully familiar to see the spiral begin, to try offering help, only to be dismissed.

A major theme in this book is the societal stigma surrounding mental health. The story makes a poignant statement: so much of Maddy’s pain—and the chaos around her—might have been avoided if mental health and her medical diagnoses weren’t treated as taboo. In 2024, we should be more empathetic. A little humility and understanding could make all the difference, yet we still fall short.

One of the most thought-provoking parts of the book is Maddy’s internal monologue, especially the discussion of “has bipolar” versus “is bipolar.” It’s a subtle but powerful distinction, shedding light on how identity and diagnosis are intertwined.

While the book’s ending offers some hope, it feels rushed and lacking in detail. The sudden turnaround in Maddy’s mother—going from an unsupportive, antagonistic figure to someone who seemingly accepts and supports her—feels unearned. I wish the author had given us a breakthrough moment between Maddy and her mom to explain this shift. Without it, the resolution feels incomplete and unrealistic.

Overall, More or Less Maddy is an important story, one that tackles heavy themes of mental health stigma and explores the challenges women face—especially in male-dominated spaces like comedy. It’s a raw, emotional read with a political edge, and despite its flaws, it leaves a lasting impression.

Thank you to Netgalley, Gallery/Scout Press Publishing, Lisa Genova, and Book Lovers The Buzz for the eARC. More or Less Maddy is out on January 14th, 2025!

Lisa Genova writes the kind of books you never want to put down until you have turned the very last page. The stories are so gripping, but they are also heartbreaking. Whenever I read a book by this author I always learn something new, and in this case I learned a lot about bipolar disorder. Maddy’s story was so raw, and so real that I had to keep reminding myself that this is not a memoir, it's fiction. You don’t want to miss this one.
She hit it out of the park with Still Alice, and she did the same with More or Less Maddy.

Big exhale. Wow! This book takes you on a ride and leaves you simultaneously holding your breath and gasping for air. I flew through the pages, not wanting to read to find out what happened next but wanting to know what happened next. I know very little about having bipolar. Lisa Genova puts the reader right in the center of the action, going on the same rollercoaster ride as the main character, Maddy.
Lisa Genova’s books are all masterpieces and More or Less Maddy is no exception. 5 stars. I will be thinking of this book for a while. I am totally left with a book hangover.

Recommend this book for grade 10 and above.

Reading More or Less Maddy is like riding a Roller Coaster. The diagnosis and treatment of a young woman with bipolar disorder is skillfully handled by Lisa Genova who has the scientific background and writing abilities to take on this difficult topic. I was fully engaged with Maddy and her family’s struggles. This will definitely be a timely book for book club discussions.

I really liked the realistic mental health rep. As a person who lives with bipolar many parts of the story rang true to real life experiences - cause when you don’t know what’s happening and the mania hits, it’s euphoric and the impending depression swing is terrifying.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova.

I LOVE Lisa Genova. If she is writing a book, especially about a certain disease or disorder that I have yet to learn more about, I am reading it. She is not only an amazing educator through story, but she's an even better storyteller who educates.

Maddy is riding high, everything in her life could not be more incredible. She's currently working on her Netflix hour long comedy special, and it is shaping out to be HILARIOUS. And not only that, but Taylor Swift has hired her to write her memoir, Taylor Swift! She couldn't be luckier.

Except none of that is true, and Maddy hasn't slept in days, and she's also engaging in self harm. Maddy has bipolar disorder.

This is the story about one young woman and how she discovers, and then lives with bipolar, a disorder that we used to call manic depression. It's incredibly hard to treat, and the highs and lows are equally scary. Genova does SUCH an amazing job giving you an incredibly raw look into this difficulty of this disease, not only on the sufferer, but the family members, friends, employees etc as well. I walked away with so much more of a compassion and understanding for those who have dealt with it, and I'm so grateful to know better.

Maddy Banks is a stressed-out freshman at NYU. Schoolwork, exams, a breakup and navigating life in the city is a lot to deal with at once. It is normal to feel overwhelmed. But Maddy's low is devastatingly low causing her to take an antidepressant. She spirals high that results in a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Maddy struggles to adjust and create a new balance in relationships, mood, identity and dreams for the future.

Lisa Genova has the blessed ability to put into words the effects of a medical condition. She tackles the hard topics, the lesser known, the difficult to discuss, the complicated to explain. She masterfully writes from the perspective of loved ones and the person directly diagnosed. In More or Less Maddy, she brings to light the phases of a bipolar episode, accurately describing depression and mania. As a loved one of a close relative diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I recognized many of the signs. I got a glimpse into the thoughts accompanying a manic state.

More or Less Maddy is not an easy read. There are chapters that will make you flinch, ooze empathy and open your heart to hope. I appreciate Lisa Genova bringing awareness to mental illness. As a Harvard-trained neuroscientist, she knows what she's talking about and putting it into fiction form for us to digest. We need more books by her and more authors like her!

Happy Early Pub Day, Lisa Genova! More or Less Maddy will be available Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

This is such a poignant read. Having studied psychology and witnessed people close to me struggle with mental illness, I loved the main character Maddy's story. Her struggle with bipolar came across as so real it brought tears to my eyes. Mental illness is prevalent, and it's truly nothing to be ashamed of. I'm so glad that message comes across in Lisa Genova's novel. I think everyone should read this book so they can understand their fellow human a little better.

What an incredible depiction of the rollercoaster that is bipolar disorder. Managing mental health needs is not linear-- rather, it can be two steps forward, three steps back. She brings light to the stigma associated with bipolar, as well as the toll it can take on both the individual and those around them. Highly recommend this one.

Maddy is going to NYU and is struggling. She is depressed and can barely make herself do normal activities. After taking an antidepressant she discovers she has bipolar disorder after a wild manic event. The author takes us through some gritty, raw, terrifying, heartbreaking and complicated events surrounding Maddy’s diagnosis and health journey. I was engaged in this book throughout the story and at times felt like I was on the edge of my seat. This book is so heartfelt as we follow along as Maddy faces conflicted feelings about having this disorder and trying to live the life she wants. There is really nothing I can say to do this book justice! It is exceptional! Everyone wanting to learn more about bipolar disorder should read this book!

This is certainly a compelling read and gives the reader the perspective and insight of a young woman struggling with mental illness. Genova does a good job of working to eliminate the stigma and show support for those struggling with bipolar disorder. Some scenes were difficult to read and I think the reader needs to be in the right space to dive into this type of story. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

4.5 Stars

This is definitely an emotional read and anyone who suffers from bipolar disorder or knows someone who does will be able to relate to Maddy’s story. Although the book is fiction, you definitely get a real life view of what is means to live with bipolar disorder. I really felt for Maddy as she navigated this new reality. I felt for her when she received the diagnosis and was really rooting for her to overcome each setback caused by her manic episodes. I loved that she found enjoyment through comedy and that we got a glimpse of her routines throughout the book. Genova not only does a great job representing the life of a person with bipolar disorder, but we are also able to see how it affects the family and the struggles they all went through to find balance again.

This is definitely not my typical read, but I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone looking for an emotional well written novel about a very real and many times misunderstood disorder.