The Mental Health Community Hails New Memoirist

Nov. 30, 2009 - PRLog -- Author Jen Knox is making waves with her new memoir Musical Chairs (ATTM Press).  This book recounts Knox's investigation into her family's history of mental illness and searches to define the cusp between a '90s working-class childhood and the trouble of adapting to a comfortable life in the suburbs. In order to understand her restlessness, Jennifer reflects on years of strip-dancing, alcoholism, and estrangement. Inspired by the least likely source, the family she left behind, Jennifer struggles towards reconciliation. This story is about identity, class, family ties, and the elusive nature of mental illness.

This is a bold new book, told with remarkable candor.  Reviewers are calling it a must-read for parents and teens alike.  This is a no holds barred book.

I would recommend this book to every reader. I would particularly urge it for every young woman who feels ready to take responsibility for her own life. And, if it were in my power, I would make sure it was given to every teenaged girl who attends or should be attending AlaTeen or ALANON; for this is a book which offers much to those who would choose to learn. (Kenneth Weene, PhD, author and psychologist)

This is probably one of the best books I've read in a while. It brought reality down to earth, and reminded me how blessed and safe and sheltered I am. (Haley Mathiot)

As she tells her story, Knox never gives in to easy, ready-made answers; instead, she allows the reader to celebrate what is quietly mysterious about life. I wish more memoirs were like this. (Lauren E. Smith)

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Jen Knox is a fiction editor at Our Stories Literary Journal and writing tutor at San Antonio College. She attends The Writing Workshops at Bennington College (graduation date: January 2010). Jen’s writing has won the John Kessler Memorial Endowment for the Arts Award, and has been published in The Current, Flashquake, Kate, SLAB, Spring Street, Slow Trains, and Quiz & Quill, and she received honorable mention in the 2008 Glimmer Train “Family Matters Competition” and 2009 Glimmer Train “Fiction Open Contest.” Jen lives in San Antonio, Texas.