Review of "Electroboy"
By Andy BehrmanRandom House, 2002
Review by Christian Perring, Ph.D. on Mar 23rd 2002

Behrman was found guilty, and his many friends and family submitted testimonials to his good character. It's a strange moment in the book, because although these documents show him to be an extraordinarily kind, caring, and good person, he is not able to convey these qualities in his own writing. Instead, he comes across as narcissistic, self-indulgent, duplicitous, and avaricious. Of course, it might be well be that his mania was responsible for his morally reprehensible actions, but if this is so, then he gives the reader very little sense of what his healthy non-manic character is like. The book jacket tells us that Behrman currently lives mania-free, but it is very hard to imagine what his life is now like.
Nevertheless, Electroboy is entertaining and manages to
convey some understanding of the wildness of thought, emotion,
and action that characterizes mania. It also gives a sense of
the ways that medications take over for people with severe mental
disorders. At the end of the book, Behrman is taking Depakote,
Risperdal, Symmetrel, Topamax, Klonopin, BuSpar, Propranolol,
Benadryl and Ambien every day. Throughout the book he recounts
the many other medications he has taken, the long courses of electroshock
treatment he has taken, and the many psychotherapists he has seen.
Although treatment often provides temporary help, his experience
does not provide strong reason to think that any particular combination
of pills and other treatments can establish his mental health
permanently. Behrman's book is a testament to both the power and
limitations of current psychiatric knowledge.
Author website: electroboy.com
© 2002 Christian Perring. First Serial Rights.