Synopsis
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Sadie Ignagni’s life unravels as her husband Rocco’s mental illness escalates, transforming him from a stable and dependable partner into someone unpredictable and erratic. As their marriage spirals out of control, Sadie finds herself isolated, overwhelmed, and fighting to hold her life together.
With Rocco’s condition worsening, Sadie is thrust into a labyrinth of legal, financial, and emotional challenges. From navigating power of attorney issues to battling unyielding credit card companies and an enduring betrayal by her husband’s family, she faces the harsh realities of loving someone with mental illness. Along the way, she discovers solace in unexpected places: the steadfast support of friends, the shared understanding of support groups, and the companionship of a little dog named Max.
Rocco’s Wife is a raw and heartfelt exploration of love and loss, resilience and hope. Sadie’s story is one of strength and determination as she fights to reclaim her life while grappling with the unthinkable. Told with sincerity, humor, and promise, it offers a profound testament to the resilience of the human spirit. This is a must-read for anyone who has loved someone battling mental illness or faced the challenges of caring for a disadvantaged loved one.
Review
A marriage in crisis, mental illness, and the obstacles one woman is willing to overcome for love
Rocco’s Wife ultimately becomes an uplifting story of one woman’s determination to take care of her husband and herself, even if she’s not entirely sure what that looks like. As easy as it is to cheer for Sadie with each small success, it’s crushing to see every new obstacle Rocco puts in her way, even unintentionally. Fortunately, Sadie’s not just a fighter but a survivor, and we are better for having witnessed her dedication to Rocco.
Reviewed by Amy Brozio-Andrews from Independent Book Review
About the Author
B.P. Faunce
B.P. Faunce has been writing personally and professionally for decades. She began composing a journal when her husband began to exhibit mental health problems. It was meant to serve as “self therapy” but evolved into a novel that she felt could help countless others. Her journey explores how mental illness and brain disorders such as dementia can profoundly disrupt and impair lives. The writer does not pretend to be an authority on the subject of mental health, but tells her story–a true story–with painful and honest reflection.
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