Everything Is Fine

A Memoir

By: Vince Granata

Narrated by: Sean Patrick Hopkins

Grief, mental illness, and the bonds of family are movingly explored in this extraordinary memoir “suffused with emotional depth and intellectual inquiry” (Rachel Louise Snyder, author of No Visible Bruises) as a writer delves into the tragedy of his mother’s violent death at the hands of his brother who struggled with schizophrenia. Perfect for fans of An Unquiet Mind and The Bright Hour.

Vince Granata remembers standing in front of his suburban home in Connecticut the day his mother and father returned from the hospital with his three new siblings in tow. He had just finished scrawling their names in orange chalk on the driveway: Christopher, Timothy, and Elizabeth.

Twenty-three years later, Vince was a thousand miles away when he received the news that would change his life - Tim, propelled by unchecked schizophrenia, had killed their mother in their childhood home. Devastated by the grief of losing his mother, Vince is also consumed by an act so incomprehensible that it overshadows every happy memory of life growing up in his seemingly idyllic middle-class family.

“In candid, smoothly unspooling prose, Granata reconstructs life and memory from grief, writing a moving testament to the therapy of art, the power of record, and his immutable love for his family.” (Booklist)

©2021 Vincent Granata (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Wow

Vince did a remarkable job telling his story. Words actually fail me in writing this review but suffice it to say that this was incredibly moving and extremely well done.

uncanny similarities

This story hit home with me. So many parallels to my own experiences with my mother in dealing with my mentally ill father, right down to her consistent use of the phrase 'Everything is fine'. We just don't want to believe the things that are unfolding right in front of our eyes, and much of the time we're completely unable to help the situation. Fortunately my mom didn't suffer the same fate as the Vince's mother. A compelling story and I'm glad that he chose to share it with the world.

One of the best books I have ever read

I have read several books by family members of someone suffering with schizophrenia but this book did an excellent job of showing how everyone is effected by this awful disease. This storyof brotherly love, compassion and a genuine desire to understand will stay with me forever.

An amazing insight into mental health

Amazingly explained and heartfelt insight into being closely related and living with someone who suffers from a mental illness

Everyone should read this book

Such a compelling read

This is a beautiful story of how a brother (and a family) come to terms with a horrible moment in their lives. In this book, Vince Granata shares his journey through coping with the murder of his mother at the hands of his brother, who was overwhelmed with his mental illness. The fact that the author set out to reconnect with his brother and rebuild a relationship with him rather than just discarding him speaks volumes. Our country does a very poor job of handling...and helping...those with this kind of serious mental illness, I couldn't stop listening. The narrator does an excellent job as well, really speaks with the voice of the author. Definitely worth your time!

Not what I expected

I was looking for a self help book and this was not it. It ok if you like this sort of thing.

Experience the humanity behind ‘Not Guilty by reason of insanity’

This book describes one man’s journey to reconcile his brother’s mental illness and his evil deed with the person behind the disease. The author lets us into a world of unimaginable horror and introduces us to his family. These are the real people behind the headline. We meet the murderer and feel empathy for his struggle to come to terms with what this disease led him to.

Highly interesting albeit a bit long

The story is very interesting to see how a disease unfolds without clear diagnosis which eventually leads to murder due to voices in the head a lot of debates wether one must force medicate or institutionalize someone like that can be held - I just felt it was tad long at certain times otherwise 5*

great book

loved this book. Vince told his families whole story, good and bad without rambling or telling too much. You can tell he loves his family and wants the whole story out there. I couldn't stop listening.

Captivating

Wow... this memoir. Vince Granata writes a heartfelt and heartbreaking account of his journey through the aftermath of his mother's murder at the hands of his brother who was experiencing an episode of psychosis due to his schizophrenia. Vince's portrayal is about as honest as you can possibly get. He captures so profoundly the sickening account that his mother was so brutally attacked by someone who had loved him and dedicated her life to his. He delves into the experience, the aftermath, the struggle with picking up the pieces. How can you love someone through their disease even if that disease killed your mother? There's just so much, and Granata's voice is one of calmness, exploration, personal accounting and deep love for both his brother and his mother. It's beautifully written.