Dead Inside

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It is difficult to review a memoir of someone's life as the plot and characters all come from reality. The Dead Inside proves to be a chilling and eye-opening tale of a child from a damaged family being forced into the worst circumstances and brainwashed. It's heart wrenching to watch her fighting spirit die and see her slowly start to believe that she is the one who has done something wrong. Let me start out by saying that I do not know how I will be reviewing this book because it is a memoir. I cannot judge the characters, plot, or setting. The accounts that happened throughout the book were memories; they happened in real life, specifically to a young woman named Cyndy. As I read the harrowing true story of Cyndy Etler's time in the Straight Inc. program, I felt as I had when I read Garrard Conley's brilliant memoir Boy Erased: floored, aghast, enraged. A memoir of Cyndy Etler's time in the "rehabilitation" centre for "wayward" and "druggy" youths, The Dead Inside is an incredibly detailed, eye-opening, disturbing read that brings to light a very troubling so-called recovery program that existing only decades ago in North America (...and one that perhaps not many know about).

My own, personal experience was that I was totally grossed out by like 80% of this book. However, Morrison's writing is engaging. I found myself skimming over some of the more detailed accounts of specific actions, just to get to the parts where the characters were having a dialog about their feelings or the story had progressed past points of discomfort and I wanted to see what was going to happen. It offers diverse perspectives on the main theme of liberation from societal conventions, allowing readers to explore their own subconscious desires for freedom. this book actually reminded me a little bit of the Dexter series by Jeff Lindsay in that way (POV from a sociopath & the morbid humour). the obvious differences between Dexter, and the main character here though are that Dexter was actually quite likeable overall, and someone you kinda root for regardless of him being a murderer (while the mc in this book was clearly just a horrible person) and Dexter obviously wasn’t a necrophiliac. I know many people who read this book never heard of Straight Inc. I keep hearing it’s hard to read. Please, read it anyway. Take this book seriously because kids are STILL being subjected to abusive “troubled teen programs." And, like Straight survivors, some survivors of other programs are also walking away with PTSD because of the “treatment” they received. I also wrote a review for this book in 2012 when it was self published as "Straightling." I want to include it in this review (I hope thats ok). Here is what I wrote then:To be honest, I do not know how I’d be reviewing this one because it is a memoir. I cannot judge the characters, plot or setting. Those aspects were not invented or carefully weaved and structured in the mind of the storyteller to come up with a great plot and narrative to tell. the mc caught Helen “in the act” and the whole situation was obviously absurdly funny to me once again. Honestly, EVERYONE needs to read this. For parents who are thinking of giving this to their kids to read, please keep in mind that there is a bit of sexual abuse that happens in the beginning of the story. That aside, this is a tale that anyone would be enthralled by. As soon as I finished this book I immediately started researching Straight Inc. and other programs like it. This is a disturbing story that will make your heart droop, but it is a MUST read! GO GET THIS!! You will not be disappointed.

At the same time, it questions how such spiritual beliefs may be challenged or undermined by scientific rationalism. Chandler Morrison’s novel, Dead Inside, is a powerful exploration of human emotion and inner turmoil.

The book’s narrative style is analytical and insightful but also engaging, making it accessible to a wide range of readers regardless of their enjoyment level. Are there any other books by Chandler Morrison? The Dead Inside is an emotional, bleak read- and a very important one at that. Not only is the memoir insightful about one particular kind of 'treatment' program that was tested on youth, but it is also read that stirs thoughts regarding opportunity (and limits to) for forgotten or hidden youth; parental abuse; as well the dangers inherent in labeling teens as 'bad' kids. Many intense subjects are openly approached in this title: sexual abuse, verbal abuse, psychological and physical trauma for a start. Etler does not broach any subject matter in a benevolent, timid fashion- and The Dead Inside makes all the more impact for it. Etler's memoir is one read that I feel needs to be experienced for the full impact; I fear that I cannot do justice to aptly describing or condensing the dark and compelling nature of this memoir. Through understanding these aspects of Dead Inside, readers can gain insight into their own inner turmoil and subconscious desire for liberation. Overview of the Novel The book examines the idea of connecting with something greater than oneself through religious symbolism, such as prayer and meditation. in the beginning of the story, he meets a woman named Helen, who works at the same hospital as him, and who happens to like eating dead babies. YUP, you heard that right.

This story will take you into the bowels of one of the most destructive (and yet "successful") centers the US has ever had- and it was supported by Nancy Reagan and her "Just Say No" campaign.Through its exploration of mental health issues, it brings attention to how we can find strength within ourselves instead of relying solely on external sources for comfort or relief. Exploration of Human Emotion