Trigger warning: self harm & suicidal ideation
Hello everyone!
This book was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and I was so fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy. If you don’t know, Anna Marie Tendler was once married to comedian John Mulaney and after their very public divorce Tendler released a beautiful photo series on that time of her life and they’re so hauntingly beautiful. When it was announced that she was releasing a memoir, I was anxiously anticipating buying a copy for myself. I was obsessed with the cover and the title and just had to know more about her. Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. Please note that this book does discuss self harm and suicidal ideation. This post may contain spoilers.
Let’s get into it!
Here are the quick facts:
eBook
Publishers: Simon and Schuster
Publishing Date: August 13, 2024
Genre: Memoirs & Biographies
Rating: 5/5 stars
304 pages
While Anna Marie Tendler had a very public divorce that was spoken about all over the internet, the book largely focuses on her own mental health journey and struggles during her two week stay at a mental health facility. The story is split into two timelines, the "present", which is Tendler's stay at the hospital, and the "past" which are chunks of her life before the hospital, particularly her childhood and young adulthood. Mental health and hospitalization regarding mental health crises is still very stigmatized and I commend Tendler's bravery in choosing to share this with the world. She was very honest about how struggled with being there and didn't want to be there any longer than a week.
I find memoirs are hard to rate for a few reasons. If someone is willing to share their story with the world I have a hard time giving a negative review. I personally feel its hard to critique the way people choose to share their stories. The writing was easy to read and the tone very causal. It was if a friend was telling me a story and I wasn't reading a stranger's memoir. The narrative she told in both timelines flowed well and it felt like the narrative came to a neat end.
I truly believe that this is a memoir worth reading. Tendler's voice is so clear in how she portrays her health journey and reflections of her past. I feel like this would be a really good book to listen to as an audiobook. When memoirs are read by their authors they can be particularly impactful. I felt that way about Jennette McCurdy's memoir I'm Glad My Mom Died, which was also published by Simon and Schuster. Overall, I think that this book is worth the read. The tone and narrative add humor to a dark time in Tendler's life. Thank you again to Simon & Schuster and Netgalley for the advanced copy of the book.
Until next time!
Links:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
SAMHSA Hotline: 1-800-662-HELP
Simon and Schuster: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Men-Have-Called-Her-Crazy/Anna-Marie-Tendler/9781668032343
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/men-have-called-her-crazy-anna-marie-tendler/1145008678
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