Eyebrows and other fish

"Scally's incredibly funny and captivating Eyebrows and Other Fish is a very personal account of the author's voyage from a heartbreaking childhood through to being an adult diagnosed with schizophrenia. The fact that Scally keeps us laughing throughout the book when tackling issues such as child abuse, social prejudice, violence and the chronic symptoms of schizophrenia is a testament to both his character and comic gift as a writer. But don't let this fool you, the book is equally a serious exploration of the barriers faced by a mental health service user and a real revelation into how "schizophrenic" thought patterns can manifest themselves. The intimate insight Scally provides would be invaluable to anyone interested in mental health issues. This thought provoking book is not for the faint hearted - the author pulls no punches throughout. It is unique in that it will leave you with both a sense of angry indignation and deep admiration. Indignation at the failure of the state to protect people from what are society's most disturbing nightmare scenarios, and admiration for the author in overcoming these hurdles with such great humour and in having the courage to share it all with us." - By Craig Prescott, Parliamentary Research Assistant

Description

Although Eyebrows and other fish is written in a colloquial style which you don't often find in printed books, and is at times almost alarmingly honest about aspects of Scally's personal life (and therefore not recommended for anyone with a sensitive disposition), it is an extremely absorbing account of life "with a head full of chaos".

If you want to know what it is like to live with the kind of thought patterns that lead to a diagnosis of schizophrenia, to get a sense of how it feels to be labelled with such a diagnosis, and to get a handle on what it is like to find yourself on the receiving end of the best and worst of mental health services, this is the book to read.

About the Author

Anthony Scally was born in Manchester England in 1965. He spent some time in care both as a young child and as an adolescent. He left school in 1981 with two CSE's (Cabinet Making and English). Ten years later Anthony was diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia and in the early 90s he was involved in a campaign working with the media on issues relating to schizophrenia. He has five children and is looking forward to the arrival of what will be his first Grandchild. He still lives in Manchester with his cat 'Bojangles' although Anthony would say it is he who belongs to Bo the cat.