I picked up Adam Haslett's short story collection, You Are Not a Strange Here, because I remembered enjoying a short story of his in a writing workshop. Your recommendation of the same book prompted me to start reading it this morning and just so many tears. I was diagnosed with schizophrenia around age twenty-one or twenty-two and the first story... reminds me of both my father and myself. I saw myself as my family must sometimes see me and it was difficult but a good experience. Thank you.

You don’t know how glad I am to hear that you experienced You Are Not A Stranger Here. When I read Adam Haslett’s stories for the first time, they were like a punch in the chest, like a shock being absorbed. They’re absolutely heartbreaking and terrifying, simply in the way that they don’t shy away from brutal emotion.

Yes, Notes to my Biographer was incredible. I still remember a line from it: “In his eyes, there is sadness enough to kill us both.”

I’m so glad that even though it was a difficult experience, you were able to realize a few things about yourself.

You’re very, very welcome. Thank you for telling me about your experience.