First, imagine having 12 children.

Then, imagine 10 of them are boys.

Then, imagine 6 of those 10 boys suffer from severe schizophrenia.

This happened to Don and Mimi Galvin, raising their family in Colorado in the 60s, 70s and 80s. One of their sons commits a horrific violent crime, one sexually abuses his younger siblings for years, and all of the boys demonstrate a terrifying level of physical aggression towards their family. All of the boys spend their entire lives in and out of mental institutions.

Reading this book, it’s hard to believe it’s true. The story is only made bearable by understanding how the Galvin family’s suffering’s contribute to science’s understanding of schizophrenia, how it is transmitted genetically, and how it can be treated and, someday, prevented. Sadly, I think it will be too late to make any of the Galvin family members’ lives easier.

TW for this book: domestic violence, sexual abuse, mental illness.