Me, Myself and Ike [Paperback]

A first-person narrative of a mentally ill adolescent has to be one of the most difficult feats to execute successfully. Mark Haddon pulled it off in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and though she does so with a lot less humour, B.C. author K.L. Denman follows in his footsteps with her latest novel. Me, Myself and Ike is the gut-wrenching story of Kit Latimer and his descent into the paranoia, delusions, and self-harm that accompanies the onset of schizophrenia. Convinced by “Ike,” the voice inside his head, that he can preserve his dead body in the frozen mountains of Vancouver Island, Kit plans an intricately detailed suicide mission. He believes that his frozen corpse, in addition to his manifesto and various “artifacts” (a Blackberry, junk food, illegal drugs, condoms, etc.) will educate future civilizations about their past. Bizarre? Yes. But we follow Kit’s every rationalization and quite simply believe that he believes. This inside view of the disease feels incredibly authentic. Denman seamlessly transitions from Kit’s own thoughts to his interactions with “Ike,” his memories of a healthier time, and excerpts from his increasingly incoherent writings. The fact that Denman exhibits such flexibility within the confines of a first-person narrative, while also maintaining the reader’s feelings of empathy for Kit, is an undeniable accomplishment. While the writing is seamless, the subject matter is challenging. Given that Kit is seriously ill from page one, readers are spared any introductory fluff or a description of the protagonist’s painfully slow deterioration. In one particularly cringe-worthy scene, Kit attacks a fresh tattoo with a loofah and scalding hot water to prevent “nano-robots” from entering his brain. However, Denman’s controlled style saves the story from tumbling into the melodramatic or the senselessly explicit. The most upsetting parts of the story do not lie in these graphic moments, but in watching an engaging protagonist slip away into mental illness. Completely riveting, suspenseful, and heartbreaking, Me, Myself and Ike is one of the best young adult releases of the year.

"A heartbreaking look at the effects of indiagnosed schizophrenia...Recommended for school libraries where mental health issues are studied." (TriState YA Book Review 20091201)

"A gripping novel full of surprises. K.L. Denman's masterfully-crafted first-person narrative on schizophrenia sweeps the reader along...Denman manages to portray Kit in a way that is both realistic and sympathetic." (Governor General's Literary Awards committee 20091201)

"A stark and fascinating portrait of a paranoid and delusional teenager Denman deftly gets into the head of a mentally unwell teenager while telling a coherent, engaging story." (Publishers Weekly 20100524)

"While the story is about a young man with a mental illness, it is also a well-told, readable mystery, brimming with suspense. An author's note giving details about schizophrenia adds an additional level of clarity to the novel's ending." (School Library Journal 20091001)

"This harrowing journey through the mind of a paranoid schizophrenic never hits a wrong note. Especially laudable is Denman's ruthless adherence to Kit's point of view Demonstrating a powerful control over her prose, Denman builds Kit's decline in subtle increments that ramp up the suspense as readers note each new failing Try this one with readers who like their stories dark and intense." (VOYA 20090915)

"Readers looking for suspense and adventure will certainly find it here. I believe Me, Myself and Ike presents a well-researched glimpse into mental illness, and would recommend it for older teens." (What If? Magazine 20100101)

"Denman has done her homework in this novel. She does not waver from Kit's point of view, not an easy task when the main character's thinking is so disturbed....A compelling novel of a young man's descent into schizophrenia. Highly recommended." (Resource Links 20100801)

*no details* (Kirkus Reviews 20090904)

"This expertly crafted novel delves into the sensitive topic of mental illness while maintaining a story that is both touching and tragic." (Canadian Children's Book News 20091101)

"A powerful novel about the onset of mental illness." (Prairie books NOW 20100901)

"An intensely edgy, first person account of a troubled teen descending into a paranoid, psychotic state...Denman is a responsible, caring, and skilled writer who drops subtle breadcrumbs throughout her story and provides an afterword explaining this mental illness...Denman is to be commended for tackling this issue straight on. Highly Recommended." (CM Magazine 20100401)

"The fact that Denman exhibits such flexibility within the confines of a first-person narrative, while also maintaining the reader's feelings of empathy for Kit, is an undeniable accomplishment. While the writing is seamless, the subject matter is challenging...Completely riveting, suspenseful, and heartbreaking, Me, Myself and Ike is one of the best young adult releases of the year." (Quill & Quire 20091101)

"Denman illustrates her knowledge of the disease through the compelling portrait she paints of Kit losing touch with reality...An informative afterward addresses signs of schizophrenia and notes the challenges of living with the disease." (Puget Sound Council )

"[This] harsh and oppressive teenage novel makes readers share the experiences of Kit as he looses touch with the real world around him and slips deeper into his illness." (The White Ravens 2010 )

*no details* (Booklist )