In This Way I was Saved a Novel by Brian DeLeeuw

In This Way I was Saved a novel by Brian Deleeuw is a book that is easy to read it is not always a book that is easy to like. The book is set in the Upper Class society of Manhattan and the main characters are Luke and "his friend" Daniel. You never really find out if the author wants you to believe that Daniel is an evil spirit who is sharing a life and a body with Luke or if Luke is suffering from schizophrenia. After reading the book I am going to vote for schizophrenia even though Luke's mental health issues begin at a very young age.

Luke is four or five when the book begins and it begins with his parents getting divorced which leads to his mothers first lapse that we see into her own madness. A madness that leaves Luke with no supervision or guidance. Left wandering on his own and caring for himself. Luke's father James passes in and out of the book and I would say this is one of my major complaints. It is apparent from the beginning that Luke's mother suffers her own significant mental illness. You never know if it is just depression or bi-polar as it is never really clarified for the reader but once again I am going to vote for bi-polar. I do not know if Luke's father allows him to stay with his mother Claire because it is easy and he is weak or if there is something else at play because any reasonable and responsible adult would realize very quickly that a child should not be left with a woman who locks herself in her room and dresses in her dead mother's clothes while cutting her wrists and spending quality time in mental institutions.

As Luke ages Daniel is quieted for many years either through medication or because Luke goes through a latency period where he is able to focus on school and everyday life. As Luke becomes and adolescent Daniel re-emerges as is often the case with schizophrenia. The closer Luke gets to eighteen the more powerful Daniel becomes eventually gaining almost total control of Luke. The narrator throughout is Daniel often as an observer occasionally as the actor.

I believe that DeLeeuw has great potential. This is his first novel and his idea's are compelling and he makes it look very easy to write which is one of the most difficult things to do however it is my hope that as he writes more he is willing to take bigger chances with his characters and if he writes about mental health and mental illness in the future he really claims the subject as his own. Often I felt as if the book sat on the sidelines and that both Luke and Daniel could have been pushed further by the author. With that said if you are looking for an easy read about a disturbing topic this book is for you. I believe it is also the type of book that will stay with you long after it takes it place on your shelf or your kindle archive Luke and Daniel will both haunt you after the last word is read.