72 HOUR HOLD

Trina Whitmore is bipolar. Her mother struggles with Trina's extreme mood swings, multiple 72-hour holds in the health care system, the frustration and impossibility of securing a conservatorship, and, ultimately, a radical intervention. Pamela D'Pella's Russian, Latino, and British accents all sound like they share a Jamaican ancestry. However, her presentation of Trina's roller coaster ride through mental illness is chillingly raw and painfully believable. D'Pella's presentation of Trina's psychosis-fueled rage flies powerfully off the CD, demanding insight into the need for accessible, ample, and aggressive health care. This novel is a must read for policymakers, health care providers, and those still learning to live with this enslaving disease. K.A.T. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 05/ JAN 06]