Zig-Zag Boy cover art

Zig-Zag Boy

Madness, Motherhood and Letting Go

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Zig-Zag Boy

By: Tanya Frank
Narrated by: Tanya Frank
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About this listen

 ‘[A] moving, beautifully written book about love and mental health and life’ BOB ODENKIRK ‘Fiercely intelligent, humane and necessary’ NATHAN FILER, author of THE SHOCK OF THE FALL 'At its heart a story about love … an astonishing new voice' ALI MILLAR, author of THE LAST DAYS

‘I’m scared the bad people will hear me talking to you.’

I watch him take his notebook and a marker pen from his bag. As he zips the compartment back up I see the tip of our large, serrated kitchen knife, the one that went missing last night.

Zach was nineteen when Tanya discovered him rerouting the wires of their landline, sure that the phone was bugged, that his friends were Mafia, that the helicopters swirling above were deployed by spies, that he couldn’t trust anyone – her included.

That moment upturned and unmoored everything. It would strand them both in a profound and terrifying isolation the way that perhaps only a psychotic break – or loving someone who is experiencing one – can.

Zig-Zag Boy is a journey along the tough frontiers of love and madness. As Tanya fights for answers and understanding – coming up against broken healthcare systems in the UK and the US – she is forced to question whether there were warning signs she missed, whether Zach will be able to have a normal life, and what ‘normal’ really means.

©2023 Tanya Frank (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers Mental Health Parenting & Families Parents & Adult Children Psychology & Mental Health Health

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Most relevant  
A beautiful book which the author narrates herself, better then anybody else could do it. The book gives an account of a failed health system and family trauma and yet still manages to make us laugh with Tanya's lovely account of working at an elephant seal sanctuary. One of the best books I have listened too!

Amazing account to make you laugh and cry

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I have shared some of Tanya’s journey. To listen to this powerful storyteller narrating her own story is a truly humbling experience. She shares her challenges, her joys, her frustrations - and her love for her beloved son. I was riveted by this book, from start to finish, the beautiful references to the seals weren’t lost on me, thank you Tanya, it felt as though you were in the room with me. I pray for Zach’s peace of mind, and for the continuing happiness of all your family. This book should be required reading for anyone affected by mental health issues - not least mental health staff, who are overworked and under-resourced, but who need to understand what family members go through by the day.

For mothers, everywhere!

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Tanya's story is incredibly powerful dealing with the challenges of supporting her son. It is brilliantly narrated and I ended up listening to it in a weekend (which is a record for me). This book will be of interest to anyone who wants to get a better understanding of supporting someone with a mental illness and how difficult it can be to get the appropriate support.

I couldn't stop listening to Zig Zag Boy

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this book had me overwhelmed with companion and admiration for the people who endeavour to care for a loved one in these situations.
As a parent and carer it gave me permission to feel the whole range of feeling without guilt, instead working through the feelings without judgement.

thank you Tanya Frank for this work of art.

honest emotions

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