Rip-roaring review of For the Heart of Phillip!

Johanna Snodgrass
Jul 18, 2010
Johanna Snodgrass rated it: 4 of 5 stars

For the Heart of Phillip is the very emotional read of a confused boy growing into a quietly confident man. Our hero, Phillip, suffers from bi-polar disorder and the challenges of this mental disorder affect his whole life and everyone in it. Phillip's parents struggle to understand their son and his choices throughout his life. At a tender age, Phillip befriends Andy, a smallish younger boy with problems of being bullyed. Their friendship takes many twists and turns thru the years, one of which is a sexual relationship. Not being able to understand the feelings of such a relationship Andy turns away and Phillip finds comfort with Robert. Thus begins a long journey, for Phillip, of loving two men at the same time and the inevitable choice of one over the other.

Now, with that said, I did not go into this book expecting a medical textbook of mental disorders. SL Danielson's bold decision to have the main character of her book suffer from bi-polar disease was done with the expectation that the reader would understand that some of his irrational behvior could be attributed to said disorder. Phillip's parents understood that there was more wrong with their son than growing pains and did the proper thing by taking him to and having him treated by a physician familiar with the disorder. Phillip struggled with the highs and lows of the disease but maintained his medication regime as directed. This allowed Phillip to lead a more fulfilling life with more control of the highs and lows. Frankly, I was glad that Ms Danielson did not go into a diatribe of the symptoms and side effects of bi-polar disease and its medications. I understand that thousands of people are affected by this disease and it should in no way be taken lightly. Believe me as a sufferer of a mental disorder I understand. Therefore, I delve into fiction to "escape" not to be reminded over and over of what I endure everyday. After all, this is a work of fiction and not a medical guide.

I was fortunate enough to read this story as it was unfolding. Ms Danielson is a delightful person and willingly shared her story with me. I watched this book grow from For the Heart of Phillip to the full-story you now can read. Please take a chance with this book and I think you will be glad you did. I warn you it is an emotional journey and you will run the gamut of feelings from happiness to anger to sadness to joy. With that said, please enjoy.

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also received two more 4-stars from two other reviewers, one of whom is an Amazon top reviewer!!

Check out this book for yourself at:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003UV98JA

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/17972

http://www.lulu.com/product/file-download/for-the-heart-of-phillip/11602521