by Beate Grimsrud
A Fool, Free is the extraordinary story (allegedly fiction, but suspiciously similar to the author’s own life) of schizophrenic Swedish/Norwegian Eli, a successful filmmaker and author. Eli battles the many personas inhabiting her mind, medication (too much or too little) and nurses and doctors with a varying degree of understanding of how best to treat her. An enlightening look at a mental illness shrouded in myths and fear.