User blog:Bittermedicine/A Family in Turmoil

Bitter medicine is a graphic memoir who's plot may not hit close to home for many families. For other families who are aware of someone living with a mental illness will be touched by the honest remarks of the Martini brothers story. ==

The memoir follows the lives of the Martini family struggling with two brothers attempting to live with schizophrenia. The Martini family is a family of four brothers Liv, Nic, Clem, Ben and their mother and father. "The biggest thing to understand is that we were nothing remarkable" (Martini, pg 11). Ben the youngest brother, who was also the best looking gets diagnosed with schizophrenia first after many attempts at running away and absurd behavior. After a rollercoaster of events relating to Ben's diagnosis he commits suicide where the family goes through turmoil of grief, guilt and blame of his passing. Liv is the second son to be diagnosed with schizophrenia, after witnessing the poor treatment of Ben's diagnosis Clem is eager to get better help for Liv. He stops at nothing meanwhile Liv is in and out of jobs, unable to succeed in the world with his illness. Ultimately, the Martini brothers summarize the issues and problems people with mental illness encounter with poor assistance with the government and health care system. -Anna Garcia Ambler