Daniel Paul Schreber (1842–1911)

Daniel Paul Schreber's "Memoirs of My Nervous Illness" is pretty fascinating. It is by no means an easy read, but I found it worthwhile and interesting.

Schreber, a well-respected judge, had a nervous breakdown, which has all the hallmarks of schizophrenia. "Memoirs" follows his time in the asylum and he vividly describes his hallucinations and delusions. He believes God talks to him and "nerves" or souls continually enter his body in an attempt to turn him into a woman. He is clearly logical and intelligent and "Memoirs" is his (ultimately successful) attempt to reason himself out of commitment to the asylum and back home to his wife.

This book is a strange addition to the 1,001 list since it really isn't a novel, but it was certainly worth reading.… (mere)