Description
One cold night in April, Natasha's father drove his car into the frigid water of New York Bay with her two-year-old half-sister in the backseat. She was the one to walk him past the column of hungry reporters demanding an explanation.
The headline in The Daily News read: Back from a Watery Grave. But Natasha's experiences growing up with her schizophrenic father in the gritty New York City of the 1970s are not so easily captured in a single headline. How could she possibly convey the power of her father's love in the face of this tragedy?
The Parts of Him I Kept is an intimate account of coming of age in the face of a father's schizophrenic unraveling. In the tradition of Michael Greenberg's Hurry Down Sunshine and Robert Kolker's Hidden Valley Road, Williams explores the limits of our understanding of schizophrenia and chronicles the burden and privilege of caring for a mentally ill family member.
Product Details
| Publisher | Apprentice House |
| Publish Date | April 29, 2025 |
| Pages | 310 |
| Language | English |
| Type |  Hardback |
| EAN/UPC | 9781627205993 |
| Dimensions | 8.5 X 5.5 X 0.8 inches | 1.1 pounds |
About the Author
Reviews
"A profound meditation on love and family. Natasha Williams offers us a portrait of America at a time when everything was in flux, when people searched for new ways to live, and (if they were lucky) ended up simply loving each other." - Nick Flynn, Author of Another Bullshit Night in Suck City and Low life
"Read the first thirty pages of The Parts of Him I Kept, and I bet you would cancel your own wedding to read the rest of it. Natasha Williams has a hell of a story to tell, and she writes like an angel." -Abigail Thomas, Author of Still Life at Eighty
"Natasha Williams has written an extraordinary memoir of growing up with a schizophrenic father and frequently dysfunctional mother. It is as emotionally wrenching (and occasionally terrifying) as you would expect, but it is also funny, wise, beautifully observed and astonishingly tender." -James Lasdun, Author of Victory
"A gifted work of graceful eloquence, this memoir is an homage to the universal power of tenderness."- Lisa St. John, Author of Swallowing Stones
"A Masterpiece of Emotion and Resilience. Natasha Williams' The Parts of Him I Kept is a stunning exploration of love, loss, and the intricate ways we hold on to the pieces of someone we've loved. This novel is not just a story-it's an experience that lingers long after the last page.
Williams' prose is beautifully lyrical, weaving a narrative that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. The characters are so richly developed that they leap off the page, each carrying their own scars, hopes, and humanity. The central character's journey of self-discovery and healing is both heartbreaking and inspiring, reminding readers of the strength it takes to rebuild oneself after loss.
The themes of memory, forgiveness, and resilience are handled with such grace that they resonate on a soul-deep level. Williams' ability to capture raw emotion without veering into melodrama is a testament to her talent as a storyteller...it's a testament to the power of love and the enduring strength of the human spirit. For anyone who has ever loved deeply, grieved profoundly, or sought to find themselves in the aftermath, this book is an absolute must-read. Bravo, Natasha Williams. This is a masterpiece. Net Galley reviewer- Salina M (who I don't know! Thank you!)
"In The Parts of Him I Kept, Natasha Williams crafts a lyrical and deeply moving memoir about love, loss, and resilience in the face of her father's schizophrenia. Through tender prose and raw honesty, Williams explores the enduring bonds that tether us, even amid chaos and ultimately healing. -Jai Chakrabarti Author of A Small Sacrifice for an Enormous Happiness
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