The line “sometimes I think people take reality for granted” is how the author, Francesca Zappia opens chapter one. From what I have understood through research about this novel, it tells the story of a young girls’ journey through living with Schizophrenia. The opening line sets the tone for the novel; and is a poignant statement of what I am gathering the main character, Alex, often feels. Through the first few chapters of the novel, the author’s use of humour, description, and emotion is something that makes this novel really intriguing and easy to digest. As I am reading I find myself eager to learn more about Alex, and what she goes through on a daily basis. When Alex is experiencing something that she is unsure if it is reality or delusion, the descriptions are so vivid, so realistic that it really allows the reader to understand how powerful her delusions are. In Mental Health One we learned that medically Schizophrenia often appears in late teens, early adulthood, but Alex was diagnosed at thirteen years old. Schizophrenia started for her at age seven, so learning how to live through her mental illness has become second nature to her. The fact that she has been living with Schizophrenia since she was seven allows myself as the reader to truly connect with the opening line of the chapter, “sometimes I think people take reality for granted.” Alex at such a young age, has always had to decipher if things are real or fake, she always has to question her reality, she is always asking herself the question is this a dream or real life…

-BrittErie