This is a very challenging read. The subject matter is confronting and dark and the writing style is somewhat disjointed and occasionally difficult to follow. The perspective and messaging are also a little unclear - is this the author’s story, her father’s, both? Either way, it is almost chilling at times how the information is presented - the matter of fact descriptions of physical abuse, the disturbing slaughter of jellyfish and laboratory animals, the almost casual treatment of children being born, neglected and then adopted and out of contact for decades. All of this lends the book an authenticity and truthfulness which would no doubt be lacking if there was any sense of sugar coating or retrospective justification. It’s fascinating, as a result.

The Parts of Him I Kept was a really powerful, compelling memoir. Natasha Williams describes her father's struggle with great compassion, while also exploring the effect both he and her mother had on her. The narrative jumps around, rather than being chronological, which can be jarring at times, but once I got used to that style it didn't bother me.

**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.

*The Parts of Him I Kept* is more than a novel—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.

"Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and feeling with the heart of another.'' - Alfred Adler

I think this quote sums up this book. It covers the lifetime of the daughter of someone struggling with mental illness and trying to understand. The depth at which she writes her experiences and tries to include others sides was wonderful. I really appreciated her approach and dedication to showing they are more than their illness.

There is heavy themes and subjects covered in this book. It covers these topics with grace. At times it felt a bit long and thr bouncing around time frames didn't always feel flow. However, I think it is an excellent book and definitely shows,bravery to write it.

As a Psych RN, I was initially drawn to Natasha Williams' "The Parts of Him I Kept" due to her firsthand experience with her father's schizophrenia. The book offers raw and vulnerable moments as Williams unpacks the complexities of their relationship and her father's mental health struggles.

However, I found the narrative to be disjointed at times, with frequent jumps in the timeline that made it challenging to follow the story. Additionally, the focus on her father's mental illness seemed to overshadow the clear presence of her mother's narcissistic personality. A more balanced exploration of both parents' mental health could have created a richer portrayal of the family dynamic.

Furthermore, it was unclear whether the book was meant to be autobiographical or a deep dive into her father's life. Clarifying the perspective might have strengthened the narrative and provided a more cohesive reading experience.

Despite these shortcomings, "The Parts of Him I Kept" is a personal and honest account of a family impacted by mental illness. As a mental health professional, I appreciate Williams' willingness to share her story and provide insights into the challenges and triumphs of navigating these difficult circumstances.

I received a free copy of, The Parts of Him I Kept, by Natasha Williams, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Natasha's dad has schizophrenia. It has not been easy for Natasha, but she always felt loved. This was a n interesting read.

Frank, whose story this is, was a brilliant musician with a larger than life personality, a thinker, a charmer with the soul of an artist, a loving father.. He was also a very ill man whose illness, schizophrenia , caused him to live a life of poverty, chaos and degradation . He was unable to lead even the most rudimentary life. He coupled with a number of women, the first, Judith, was the author's mother.

Judith was a child of the 60's, choosing to live an unconventional life the course of which was dictated by her own perceived needs and agenda. Williams sometimes refers to her as "independent ". A more accurate term would have been narcissistic . She was largely indifferent to the needs of her children. She chose idiosyncratic pursuits and a violent mentally ill partner. As a result, the author lived an almost feral existence, exposed to drugs, violence and a variety of shady characters while shuttling between her parents. Williams writes well and draws the reader into her own odyssey from all of this into learning, love and family life. She however never separated herself from her father and her needs in order to do so.

This is a compelling story and well worth reading. However, the reader is bounced around chronologically and by theme which causes some loss of momentum in the story.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

I requested this book as an ARC because I found both the title and the description of the book relatable. Like Natasha, I was born to a mother that didn't seem to care or love me as she should and a father who made me his entire world and loved me with every fiber of his being, but struggled with his own ailments. Natasha's father has schizophrenia, which is a condition I knew very little about and found it interesting to read about. I learned that a large percentage of people diagnosed with schizophrenia think they are talking to god. As someone who is atheist, I would love to make the joke that religious people are crazy with my dad and he would find this fact amusing as well. Unfortunately, I cannot do that so I'll share it here instead.

The only thing I didn't like about this book was how it was written. I think it could've been written in a more immersive, personal manner to suck the reader in rather than the matter-of-fact textbook-like work that it does. That being said, it's also possible that the author wrote it this way because for her, her life is matter-of-fact and hard to add emotion to something that she's grown accustom to. But if I didn't have such a strong personal connection to the content of the book, I may have stopped reading. But because I do, I highlighted so many quotes that are relatable to me and found myself sobbing as I finished it because I have never related to something so much before.

Like Natasha, I walked the line of being there for my dad who struggled to take care of himself, who blurred the line of who the parent and child really was, while also attempting to maintain a life for myself that was healthier than the childhood I was raised in. My dad had his issues, but despite them, he never made me question his love for me and I truly think someone who struggles so hard themselves but can love another so fiercely is the very definition of love. Also like Natasha, my upbringing has lead me to unhealthy complexities caused by trauma.

Like Natasha, I have had to be the caretaker, the protector, the advocate, the friend, and more and although it was frustrating and stressful and more than what should be typically asked of a child, in a lot of ways it made me appreciate him and the bond that we shared. In the book Natasha says, "I can't shake the implication that I am his significant other, a role I'm both attached to and have resented" and that is so relatable to me.

My favorite quote of all, comes at the end, when Natasha and her father are having a conversation and she asks him, "What kind of an animal would you be, Dad" And he says, "I'd be an elephant." Natasha asks him why an elephant and he says, "Because they protect their young and they remember." This quote captures the love between both Natasha and her father's relationship as well as mine with my dad and this is a really beautiful, deep book that has helped me realize even more than before that the deep loving bond between my dad and I was a gift that I can keep even though he's gone.

This is a thought provoking read and is very insightful

I didn't know much about the subject but the author has written a knowledgable and sensitive read.

Aprils father's madness is descriptive and at times I found myself moved by her plight. The love April has for her father is evident

A moving and interesting chronicle of mental illness and a daughters love

This is a beautifully written, deeply empathetic book. So often people living with schizophrenia are reduced to stereotypes. Williams helps us get to know her father as a whole person - deeply complicated, worthy of love, disturbing, and charming. She doesn’t pity him or herself. The events she recounts are jaw-dropping in their intensity but the way she describes them makes them human-sized. Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC.