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More or Less Maddy
More or Less Maddy: A Novel | Lisa Genova
11 posts | 9 read | 2 reading | 5 to read
A breathless, riveting novel about a young woman diagnosed with bipolar disorder who rejects the stability and approval found in a traditionally normal life for a career in stand-up comedy. Maddy Banks is just like any other stressed-out freshman at NYU. Between schoolwork, exams, navigating life in the city, and a recent breakup, its normal to be feeling overwhelmed. It doesnt help that shes always felt like the odd one out in her picture-perfect Connecticut family. But Maddys latest low is devastatingly low, and she goes on an antidepressant. She begins to feel good, dazzling in fact, and she soon spirals high into a wild and terrifying mania that culminates in a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. As she struggles to find her way in this new reality, navigating the complex effects bipolar has on her identity, her relationships, and her life dreams, Maddy will have to figure out how to manage being both too much and not enough. With her signature deep empathy and insight (Booklist), Harvard-trained neuroscientist and New York Times bestselling author Lisa Genova has crafted another profoundly moving novel that makes complicated mental health issues accessible and human. More or Less Maddy is destined to become another classic like Still Alice.
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review
BookishTrish
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Pickpick

When Maddy learns she has BPD, she needs to learn how she wants to be in the world, overcome self-doubt and fear, and rebuild her family‘s trust in her. This book was nothing short of incredible.

LeeRHarry I‘m glad you enjoyed it - I recently DNFed it as I couldn‘t get on with the character of Maddy. I have loved this author‘s other books. 😊 5d
50 likes1 comment
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Reecaspieces
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Pickpick

💙📚REVIEW IS UP!💙📚

⭐️⭐️QUICK THOUGHTS⭐️⭐️

⭐️Maddy is such a great character

⭐️Lisa Genova is fantastic when life turns on a dime

⭐️This story will have you laughing and crying all in the same paragraph

https://reecaspieces.com/2025/01/29/more-or-less-maddy-by-lisa-genova-galleryboo...

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MyNamesParadise
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Pickpick

What an excellent book! The narrator is phenomenal at bringing Maddy Banks‘ story to life! As someone who struggles with mental illness (though not bipolar) it‘s always great to see stories feature an accurate portrayal of it. It can be a hard book to listen to at times (*trigger warning* there‘s graphic descriptions of cutting) but a worthy one. It makes me feel sad to think of those who suffer that don‘t have Maddy‘s resources & familial support

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TheBookgeekFrau
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Pickpick

20yr old Maddie is diagnosed with bipolar disorder after storming out of Thanksgiving dinner to go meet Taylor Swift to collaborate on her memoir.

It took until just past halfway to really get into this and connect with the characters. That's so very different from Genova's other books. But once it hit its stride I had a hard time putting it down.

6/80

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TheBookgeekFrau
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"Maddie stares at the ceiling fan above her."

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

ShyBookOwl I like the title! 3w
TheBookgeekFrau @ShyBookOwl The story's pretty good too! 3w
35 likes1 stack add2 comments
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angieinwonderland
Pickpick

This is a very light pick for me. It had all the promise, and the humanity of the characters was second to none, but it isn't a 5 star for me.

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TheBookgeekFrau
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That feeling when a preorder arrives 💃🏻😁

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lisakoby
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Pickpick

An interesting read and, despite some choppiness in the latter 1/4 of the book, would absolutely recommend.

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lisakoby
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I had a lovely experience listening to Lisa Genova speak about her new book, More or Less Maddy with a couple of friends. I‘m looking forward to the read!

#blueheronbooks #bookdrunkard2025

TheKidUpstairs I love Blue Heron! I usually volunteer at a couple Book Drunkard events a year. They're the best! 3w
lisakoby @TheKidUpstairs What a small world! It was a great event. I‘m signed up for the Winter series and I can‘t wait for the rest of the dates. 3w
14 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Megabooks
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Pickpick

This one hit close to home. Like Maddy, I was diagnosed with bipolar in my 20s. While my manic episodes weren‘t quite so crazy, I related to the isolation she felt and (now that I‘m older) the fears her mother had. Once again, Genova hits the perfect note as a neuroscientist and novelist.

Maddy is a student when she starts having bipolar symptoms. She develops an interest in comedy, but her manic episodes make her family fear it‘s not realistic.

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 1mo
BarbaraBB Another great photo 1mo
83 likes4 stack adds3 comments
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Mpcacher
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Pickpick

Genova always manages to educate as she entertains and she succeeds in doing that once again with this novel. This time she tackles 'bipolar disorder'. Told from the POV of a young woman suffering with it, the book reads at a different pace, depending on whether she is manic, depressed or steady and thus captures the feeling somewhat for the reader. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I enjoyed it and came away entertained and more knowledgeable. 4/5