The Weight of Zero
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4.7 • 3 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
For fans of 13 Reasons Why and Girl in Pieces, this is a novel that shows the path to hope and life for a girl with mental illness.
Seventeen-year-old Catherine Pulaski knows Zero is coming for her. Zero, the devastating depression born of Catherine’s bipolar disorder, almost triumphed once; that was her first suicide attempt.
Being bipolar is forever. It never goes away. The med du jour might work right now, but Zero will be back for her. It’s only a matter of time.
And so, in an old ballet-shoe box, Catherine stockpiles medications, preparing to take her own life before Zero can inflict its living death on her again. Before she goes, though, she starts a short bucket list.
The bucket list, the support of her family, new friends, and a new course of treatment all begin to lessen Catherine’s sense of isolation. The problem is, her plan is already in place, and has been for so long that she might not be able to see a future beyond it.
This is a story of loss and grief and hope, and how some of the many shapes of love—maternal, romantic, and platonic—affect a young woman’s struggle with mental illness and the stigma of treatment.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Karen Fortunati’s moving and satisfying novel does a great job bringing the topic of mental illness out of the shadows. After struggling with manic depression—and attempting suicide—Catherine Pulaski has been branded as “cuckoo” by most kids at her high school, including her former best friends. The Weight of Zero never shies away from the agony of Catherine’s experiences, but it’s also witty and relatable to anyone who’s felt isolated. That’s in large part thanks to Fortunati’s characters, whom we rooted for start to finish.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Debut novelist Fortunati tackles social stigma and mental health realistically and honestly through the candid voice of Catherine Pulaski, a 17-year-old with bipolar disorder. Cath knows that Zero ("mania's flip side") will come for her it always does but she has a plan. She has been stockpiling and hiding pills so that when the debilitating depression of Zero finally returns, this suicide attempt will be successful, unlike her last one. Before that eventuality, Cath has a bucket list, one that includes losing her virginity and maybe finding a real friend. Cath is required to take part in group therapy after school, and although she initially resists it, she finds a few kindred spirits there; a blossoming romance with a classmate, Michael, also helps provide a sense of normalcy. Fearful of the stigma associated with bipolarity, Cath lies about her diagnosis to her new friends, which leads to complications. Fortunati doesn't shy away from detailing Cath's despair but is very clear that with treatment, there is hope. Ages 14 up.
