He Came in With It

More about the book

In an idyllic Los Angeles neighborhood, the O'Rourke family, comprised of artists Miriam and Craig and their four children, faces a tumultuous decade when their teenage son, Nick, is diagnosed with schizophrenia. Their lives spiral into chaos, marked by a series of catastrophes reminiscent of the Biblical plagues: violence, evictions, arrests, a suicide attempt, and even cancer and a brain tumor, all set against a backdrop of teenage artmaking and drug use. While Miriam believes she can fix everything, Craig retreats to their rural property, leaving home as a battlefield. During a closet cleanout, Miriam discovers Nick's drawings and journals from his descent into schizophrenia, prompting her to embark on a solitary journey into his troubled mind. This narrative reveals the profound impact of mental illness on a family, exposing the shortcomings of the mental health system and the stigma surrounding it. As Miriam fights to reclaim her son from this invisible enemy, the family's ability to find humor amid absurdity becomes their saving grace. Ultimately, the story illustrates the complexities of life, embracing imperfections and mistakes as part of the human experience, serving as a legacy for Nick.