“More or Less Maddy” is a beautifully written and well-researched book. Maddy, an NYU freshman, has recently been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The novel follows Maddy as she experiences several depressive and manic phases and struggles to find a plateau between the two.

Lisa Genova has a gift for sharing the raw truths and complexities of various illnesses and disorders in her novels. “More or Less Maddy” was another instance of the author’s ability to share the realities of a disorder, by creating relatable characters and sharing their struggles and triumphs.

3.5 STARS - Author Lisa Genova, a neuroscientist by trade, is known for tackling big issues in her books and wrapping intriguing stories around them that both entertain and educate her readers. In her latest book More or Less Maddy, Genova focuses her story around bipolar disorder.

Maddy Banks is a university student at NYU who has always felt like the black sheep of her family. When life knocks her down again and again, she decides to go on antidepressants and initially feels good - until she spirals out of control in a bout of mania and finally receives a bipolar disorder diagnosis.

Genova vividly describes how a bipolar person can spiral from mania to depression, from treatment to thinking they're 'okay now' and going off their meds only to start the difficult process over again. We witness how hard it is for people with mental illness to navigate their way in a world (and sometimes in their own families) that continue to stigmatize and shame them.

This was a slower moving story that never quite pulled me fully into the story (with a bit too much time spent on Maddy's stand-up dreams). That said, it is a thought-provoking story and I appreciate learning more about bipolar disorder and how the illness impacts the individual and those around them.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Gallery/Scout Press for the complimentary digital copy of this book which was given in exchange for an honest review.

This review was posted Dec 14, 2024

Thank you Simon & Shuster Canada and NetGalley for the ARC of More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova in exchange for an honest review.
More or Less Maddy discusses an important topic regarding bipolar and the stigmatism in our society about mental health. Lisa Genova did an amazing job showing the depressive and manic episodes of bipolar, why people with bipolar stop taking their medication and the ripple effect on family, friends and even day-to-day life.

This story is told from Maddy’s perspective and it starts with Maddy starting college and it not turning out how she imagined. Glad to be away from her mother’s watchful eye, Maddy was hoping for fun and freedom. Maddy finds her classes difficult, focus nearly impossible and as her high school boyfriend Adam is thriving at Columbia, she is faking most of their time together. Finally accepting some assistance at the student health center Maddy goes on a widely used antidepressant that immediately takes effect. She has more energy, school, partying and visions of a future become crystal clear. Until they don’t. For the next year or so, Maddy, her mother, and her older sister try to adjust to a new normal that includes medication, hospital stays, therapy, sobriety, and mood check-ins—a two steps forward, one step back dance that trips them up more than it keeps them in sync.
I thought the novel educates on mental health and forces to us to ask questions. I could not put this book down and is should be a must-read in January, 2025.
In the author's note at the end of the book, Ms Genova says: “I hope that this novel helps to humanize this disorder.” My immediate response is: Yes, it does!

Lisa Genova is known for her books that deal with real medical conditions in an authentic and respectful way. It's evident that she does a lot of research and digs deep into the subject matter. With More or Less Maddy she opened my eyes to bipolar. Being unfamiliar with it this was a true eye opener.

For 19-year-old Maddy, a freshman at NYU, she has all the experiences other first years have but her world comes tumbling down with a bipolar diagnosis. I did find this book slow going at the beginning, but after her episodes and diagnosis I was captivated. Though there were a few times I had to set the book aside as I found it a bit emotionally and overwhelming with all that she was going through. This was very much a telling story, seen through Maddy’s eyes. Talk about a first hand account.

More or Less Maddy is a story of mental health and the stigma that goes with it and about family, one can't help feeling her mother’s struggle also. A well written read.

My thanks to Simon & Schuster CA for a digital arc and exchange for a honest review

***** 5 stars! More or Less Maddy is not an easy read but it definitely is a must read!
A huge Thank You to Lisa Genova for undertaking writing such a compassionate story centred around such a stigmatized topic.
Her writing draws you in from the first chapter. Although the subject matter of mental health -specifically bipolar disorder-is anything but light, her talent for story telling and the weaving of (researched) factual information into that story is unparalleled.
Thank You to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Canada, and Lisa Genova for the opportunity to read and appreciate this ARC.

I have just taken a journey into the world of a person who has been diagnosed as bipolar. Wow! What an interesting but mostly scary and uncomfortable journey it has been.

Lisa Genova is a neurologist-scientist but she brings the complexity of the disorder to a layman's level.

The reader meets Maddy, a young lady who is just starting university. It is common for bipolar disorder to show up in a person in their teens. The story illustrates how the disorder has a ripple effect on family, friends, day-to-day life. We quickly see both the manic side and the depressive side. Neither one is preferable over the other.

Parts of the book were difficult to read, but compelling at the same time. Mental illness is not spoken of very much, even in this day and age. And, often family members tend to hide it, something to be ashamed of.

I was hoping that Maddy would be able to get her challenges under control. Watching the incredible swings between manic and depressive was very emotional for me. Watching her reaction to drug therapy is difficult. Sometimes it is a challenge to find the right combination of drugs as everyone is different. Maddy's struggle is real.

Due to Ms Genova's profession, I have complete confidence that this is an accurate depiction of bipolar disorder. Because it does not have clear edges, nor is it definitive, it is very difficult to understand that the brain can affect a person as it does. Kudos to her for all the in-depth research she did. Ms Genova even interviewed a Starbucks barista to ensure Maddie's part-time job was depicted accurately.

In the author's note at the end of the book, Ms Genova says: “I hope that this novel helps to humanize this disorder.”
I'm reporting back: Yes, it does!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

🧠 T O P N O T C H T H U R S D A Y review 🧠 featuring “More or Less Maddy” by Lisa Genova!

BOOK REVIEW: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤/5

Maddy Banks is having a hard time keeping everything together as a freshman at NYU! Living away from home for the first time is one thing, but the added pressure of getting good grades, showing up to class, meeting new friends and juggling a boyfriend has become A LOT for her.

Maddy starts to take antidepressants and things start to really spiral out of control as she begins to have manic episodes. Her family seeks out help after a shocking event takes place. Once she is formally diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Maddy and her family must learn how to navigate this new reality for all of them!

Oh Lisa Genova, you have it done again! Every single one your books are outstanding, intriguing and masterfully written! There aren’t enough books out there that cover mental health topics like bi-polar disorder. Not only did I learn a lot about bipolar disorder, but also the side effects of medication and how to support a person living with this disorder.

Thank you kindly to @authorlisagenova @simonschusterca @netgalley for my advanced digital copy in exchange of my honest review! This book releases on January 14, 2025 and is a must read for readers of all genres!

Another brilliant masterpiece in Lisa Genova’s pocket! Thoroughly enjoyed reading about Maddy as she is diagnosed as bipolar. What follows is Maddy’s mania and depression, which we experience first hand from her point of view. I had always heard about the effects of lithium and Maddy made it real. It gave me some insight as to how a person with bipolar must feel. I loved every moment of Maddy’s ups and felt bad about her downs. A well written novel worth reading!

More or Less Maddy

Lisa Genova

@authorlisagenova is one of my favourite authors because of her incredible talent for writing books that explore neurological conditions. Genova makes an understanding of these complex disorders accessible for readers and fosters empathy for people with these conditions through her exquisite character development. It is easy for readers to connect with the main characters and their family/caregivers, understand the many challenges faced as a result of the given neurological condition, and have a new perspective when hearing about or seeing people with these disorders in their communities.

More or Less Maddy follows a young adult, Maddy, who has just started college and is struggling with (mostly) typical college student challenges such as: break ups, weight gain, strained long distance relationships with friends and family, and depressive symptoms. When birth control and antidepressants are introduced, Maddy's body and brain start to react, and slowly these challenges that seemed normal given the transition to adulthood, begin to have a bigger and bigger impact on her daily life. In her manic states she believes she's working on Taylor Swift's biography, and writing a Netflix comedy series, cheats on her boyfriend and steals the family car, but in her depressive states she can't get out of bed and struggles with compulsive thoughts related to self-harm and suicide. At a time in her life where her peers are just starting to experience the freedom of adulthood, the thrill of trying new things and growing into their personalities, Maddy finds herself under constant supervision by her mother and/or hospital staff and confused about who she is really meant to be.

More or Less Maddy is an incredible book that completely altered my understanding of Bipolar Disorder. Having a window into the mind of someone with this condition, as well as the views of her family and friends, helped form a new perspective for me. I felt like a close friend of Maddy's, wanting the best for her, but also watching helplessly when she started to spiral. As I fully expected, this was an amazing book and one I would highly recommend. I was SO appreciative of the chance to read this book in advance of it's upcoming publication date in January, and would like to thank @netgalley, and @simonschusterca for the copy.

This book was incredibly well written and thought provoking. In classic Lisa Genova style, the book was well researched and painted a detailed picture of what it is like to live with bipolar disorder. Maddy is a compelling character and it was very interesting to see her navigate her diagnosis and treatment journey. Maddy also had great character growth throughout the book. This book was immersive and very emotional. It was, at times, uncomfortable to read because it was such a realistic depiction of depression and mania, but this was a necessary discomfort and needed to help to destigmatize bipolar disorder and mental health as a whole. I thought the supporting characters were great as well, particularly Maddy's mom. Overall a wonderful, important read and one I will be recommending to all of my patrons when it is released.