While You Were Out by Meg Kissinger is lauded for its compelling narrative and emotional depth, drawing readers into a poignant exploration of mental health and family dynamics. Critics praise Kissinger's empathetic writing and honest portrayal of sensitive topics, though some found the pacing uneven. Overall, it's a thought-provoking and impactful read.

A reader who would enjoy Meg Kissinger's While You Were Out is likely intrigued by mental health narratives and investigative journalism. Fans of Susannah Cahalan’s Brain on Fire and Robert Kolker’s Hidden Valley Road would appreciate Kissinger's in-depth exploration and personal touch on mental illness and family dynamics.

While You Were Out by Meg Kissinger examines the author's family's experience with mental health issues. It delves into their struggles, the impact on relationships, and the challenges of navigating mental health care. The narrative offers insights into broader societal and systemic issues related to mental health.

Emotional / Informative / Heartwarming / Hopeful / Challenging

**Meg Kissinger**  
An investigative journalist and author whose work is inspired by her family's experiences with mental illness, using her memoir to confront her past and advocate for destigmatizing mental health.

**Jean Kissinger**  
Meg's mother, who comes from a wealthy family and struggles with depression and anxiety, often self-medicating with alcohol, influencing her parenting and family dynamics.

**Bill (Holmer) Kissinger**  
Meg's father, known for his giddy and angry moods due to undiagnosed bipolar disorder and alcohol use, who later joins AA and tries to stabilize his life.

**Mary Kay Kissinger**  
The eldest child in the Kissinger family, known for her artistic nature and rebelliousness, who later reveals her struggles with mental health during her college years.

**Nancy Kissinger**  
Meg's intelligent and witty older sister, whose mental illness leads to volatility and several suicide attempts, impacting the family deeply.

**Patty Kissinger**  
Close in age to Meg, described as adventurous and supportive, who later pursues a career in medicine and advocates for mental health destigmatization.

**Jake Kissinger**  
The eldest boy in the family, who struggles with depression and the trauma of discovering his brother's body, whom Meg helps find supportive housing.

**Billy Kissinger**  
The third youngest child in the family, known for his mischievousness and athleticism, who finds solace in music as an adult.

**Danny Kissinger**  
The youngest boy, who battles feelings of inadequacy and makes poor decisions, ultimately diagnosed with bipolar disorder before his death by suicide.

**Molly Kissinger**  
The youngest daughter, who carries guilt from a family tragedy in her youth but later finds peace in nature.

**Grandma Kissinger**  
Meg's paternal grandmother, an influential figure in the family known for her strong Irish Catholic faith and belief in the virtue of suffering.

Meg Kissinger

Adult

Autobiography / Memoir

Nonfiction

Guide

Study Guide

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Overview

Get ready to explore While You Were Out and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

While You Were Out Summary and Study Guide

Background

While You Were Out Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Loving What Is Mortal”

Part 1, Chapters 1-4

While You Were Out Part 1, Chapters 1-4 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 5-8

While You Were Out Part 1, Chapters 5-8 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 9-12

While You Were Out Part 1, Chapters 9-12 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Against My Bones”

Part 2 While You Were Out Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Letting Go”

Part 3 While You Were Out Part 3 Summary & Analysis

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Key Figures

While You Were Out Key Figures

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Themes

While You Were Out Themes

Symbols & Motifs

While You Were Out Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

While You Were Out Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

While You Were Out Essay Topics

While You Were Out: An Intimate Family Portrait of Mental Illness in an Era of Silence

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read While You Were Out?

Reading Age

Book Details