The Memory Palace

More about the book

In the tradition of The Glass Castle, two sisters confront schizophrenia in this poignant literary memoir about family and mental illness. Through stunning prose and original art, the narrative captures the love between mother and daughter, the complex meaning of truth, and family’s capacity for forgiveness. At her mother’s memorial service, Mira Bartók hears a striking observation about their relationship with their mentally ill mother, Norma Herr, who was once a vibrant piano protégé. After being struck by schizophrenia at nineteen, Norma's mental state deteriorated, leading her to obsess over dark thoughts and fears for her daughters' safety. As the girls left for college, Norma's behavior escalated, forcing them to change their names and sever contact to stay safe. While Mira pursued her career as an artist, exploring various parts of the world, memories of her mother lingered. A debilitating car accident prompted Mira to confront her past, leading her to reach out to a homeless shelter where she believed Norma was living. Upon discovering that Norma was dying, Mira and her sister traveled to Cleveland for an unexpected reconciliation. At the hospital, Mira found keys to a storage unit filled with family photos and childhood memorabilia, reigniting memories she thought were lost forever.