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Inferno: A Memoir of Motherhood and Madness Kindle Edition

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 451 ratings

A New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice

"Inferno
is a disturbing and masterfully told memoir, but it’s also an important one that pushes back against powerful taboos. . ." --The New York Times Book Review

"Explosive" --Good Morning America

"Sublime" --Bookpage (starred review)


When Catherine Cho and her husband set off from London to introduce their newborn son to family scattered across the United States, she could not have imagined what lay in store. Before the trip’s end, she develops psychosis, a complete break from reality, which causes her to lose all sense of time and place, including what is real and not real. In desperation, her husband admits her to a nearby psychiatric hospital, where she begins the hard work of rebuilding her identity.

In this unwaveringly honest, insightful, and often shocking memoir Catherine reconstructs her sense of self, starting with her childhood as the daughter of Korean immigrants, moving through a traumatic past relationship, and on to the early years of her courtship with and marriage to her husband, James. She masterfully interweaves these parts of her past with a vivid, immediate recounting of the days she spent in the ward.

The result is a powerful exploration of psychosis and motherhood, at once intensely personal, yet holding within it a universal experience – of how we love, live and understand ourselves in relation to each other.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The intensity of the first-person perspective here gives this section the claustrophobic dread of a psychological thriller. . . .Inferno is a disturbing and masterfully told memoir, but it’s also an important one that pushes back against powerful taboos. . . .Discussions of severe mental illness in mothers continue to induce discomfort and judgment in those who have never experienced it, and embarrassment and shame in those who have."
The New York Times Book Review

Inferno is a brilliantly frightening memoir about Cho’s two weeks on the psychiatric ward, elegantly interwoven with tales from her past. . . .[Cho writes] herself into motherhood and into a form of sanity that does not leave behind the insights enabled by psychosis. “
The Guardian

“Fascinating. . . .beautifully written. . . .This is a highly accomplished memoir. Cho deftly weaves the strands of her experience to create something striking and original.”
The Times

"A beautifully written account of how a new mother ends up in a psychiatric facility with postpartum psychosis, interwoven with reflections on the influence of her Korean parents."
The Guardian, "50 Brilliant Books to Transport You This Summer"

"This debut memoir is an engrossing and frightening account of the author’s post-partum psychosis and subsequent commitment to a psychiatric hospital; it’s a candid story of motherhood, mental health and love."
Ms. Magazine, "August 2020 Reads for the Rest of Us"

"Explosive"
GMA.com, "New Must-Read Books for the Ultimate Escape in August"

"Cho's harrowing memoir recounts her experience of postpartum psychosis after the birth of her son, Cato. . . .Throughout, Cho meditates on the ways in which Korean culture has informed her ideas of motherhood and mental health, and her expectations around both. It’s a vigorous and affecting read."
Buzzfeed, "29 Summer Books You Won't Be Able to Put Down"

"Inferno is an exploration of how we understand ourselves and our identities."
Bustle, "19 Book Releases to Look Forward to in 2020

"[Cho's] memoir discusses the route she had to take in order to put her life back together, beginning with bravely examining the dark parts of her past in order to understand herself again.
PureWow, "10 Nonfiction Books We Can't Wait to Read in 2020"

"This piercing narrative about motherhood and a fraying human mind will slowly and creepily pull the reader in and leave a chill."
Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Sublime. . . .it’s the resilient thread of devotion in [Cho's] life―to her husband, her family, the curious memory of her son―that laces through the pain and draws her back into the world. Cho’s expression of her experience of madness is poetic, and like much good poetry, it points its finger to the lies in our so-called reality: that our health system is healthy; that our expectations of motherhood are rational."
BookPage (starred review)

"Haunting and emotionally intense, this powerful memoir explores the hidden connections that tie families across generations, offering poignant meditations on the meaning of motherhood and identity. A compelling look at a mysterious mental illness"
Kirkus

“Completely devastating. Completely heartbreaking. Written in luminous, spiralling prose.”
Daisy Johnson, author of Everything Under

“A fierce, brave, glittering book that charts with unflinching honesty the shift from one reality to another and the family ghosts that - without always knowing it - we all carry. I was drawn into Catherine’s story but I was also drawn into her mother’s, her grandmother’s, and those too with whom she shared that time in a psychiatric unit. But most of all it offers hope. Even from that place of darkness and confusion.”
–Rachel Joyce, author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

Inferno does just as the title suggests, it throws you into the flames of the author's psychosis so that you are in there with her, fighting for your next breath. I've rarely read such a powerful account of madness. Gripping, chilling and ultimately hopeful, this is one not to miss.”
Lisa Jewell, author of The Family Upstairs and Then She Was Gone

“I was hooked from the very start, by the “dear reader” letter setting the scene for all that followed. It is at heart a love story, but one in which unimaginable, wonderfully depicted, mental torture intrudes. In sharing this pain, and exploring its cultural and other causes, Catherine Cho does a great service to the cause of breaking down stigma surrounding mental ill health. Above all though she has written a beautiful book.”
Alastair Campbell

“Utterly compelling and beautifully written,
Inferno is one of the bravest and most beautiful books I have ever read. I devoured it in one sitting and loved every page.”
–Alice Feeney, author of Sometimes I Lie

“This book is utterly brilliant: poetic, truthful, frightening, clever. I held my breath at both the power of the prose and the writer’s unflinching honesty. Catherine Cho is most certainly a writer to watch.”
–Christie Watson, author of The Language of Kindness

“A powerful and poignant book. The difficult and haunting brutality of both psychosis and relationships was so beautifully and honestly portrayed.”
Bev Thomas, author of A Good Enough Mother

About the Author

Catherine Cho is a literary agent in the UK. Originally from the United States, she’s lived in New York and Hong Kong, and she currently lives in London with her family. Inferno is her first book.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07XKKWHVQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Henry Holt and Co. (August 4, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 4, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2714 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 245 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 451 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
451 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the memoir's writing quality. They find it poignant and beautifully-crafted, inviting them to poetic contemplation. The memoir is described as a powerful, compelling read that describes the horrors of postpartum. Readers describe the book as an intimate and insightful portrayal of new motherhood.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

12 customers mention "Writing quality"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing captivating and engaging. They appreciate the vivid descriptions of life on the psych ward and Cho's insight into postpartum depression. The memoir is described as poignant and beautifully-crafted, inviting readers to explore their souls.

"The best writing doesn’t simply summon emotions or images, it compels us to poetic contemplation, invites us to search our souls for the threads of..." Read more

"...She offers an intimate and insightful portrayal of new mother postpartum psychosis in a page-turning format. I read the entire memoir in two nights...." Read more

"...Definitely worth reading and being aware that the pain of motherhood takes many shapes." Read more

"...Catherine beautifully portrays life on the psych ward, and her disbelief that she is in this situation...." Read more

10 customers mention "Readability"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-written and engaging. They describe it as a compelling memoir that delves into personal experiences.

"...How terrifying an experience! Definitely worth reading and being aware that the pain of motherhood takes many shapes." Read more

"...It is an incredible and dramatic experience, but reveals love in many dimensions (parental love, mothers love, sibling and partner love). Engrossing." Read more

"...A very memorable read." Read more

"This book is such a well written, touching account of motherhood - a side of motherhood that still isn't talked about freely and openly the way it..." Read more

3 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing. They say it's a love story between Catherine and her husband, revealing love in many dimensions. The author offers an intimate and insightful portrayal of new motherhood.

"...She offers an intimate and insightful portrayal of new mother postpartum psychosis in a page-turning format. I read the entire memoir in two nights...." Read more

"...It’s truly a love story between Catherine and her husband James, her anchor. Catherine clings to her truths, “I am alive, Real...." Read more

"...It is an incredible and dramatic experience, but reveals love in many dimensions (parental love, mothers love, sibling and partner love). Engrossing." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2021
    The best writing doesn’t simply summon emotions or images, it compels us to poetic contemplation, invites us to search our souls for the threads of humanity that bind us together. This work of non-fiction is such a story. The prose is sharp, spare, and accessible while still possessing an ethereal quality. The story, especially, surprisingly, the backstory, is gripping and poignant; it’s filled with tremendous insight about the bonds that shape the writer. These bonds, while varying from person to person, are common to us all, and so her connections pull us into this difficult yet beautiful tale. The timelines are woven perfectly together. I originally picked up this book because it reminded me vaguely of a harrowing time in my own life. It turned out to be much different than I expected but somehow resonated with my own experiences. My identity is far different from the author: I am a male, a father, an adopted son without a strong cultural identity growing up. And yet somehow I identified in a pure sense with her experiences, her losses, and her victories as she went through this fiery time. I strongly recommend this book.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2023
    Catherine Cho’s poignant and beautifully-crafted memoir is stunning. She offers an intimate and insightful portrayal of new mother postpartum psychosis in a page-turning format. I read the entire memoir in two nights. I highly recommend it. Bravo!
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2020
    Reading this at 8 months pregnant is not recommended! I sobbed at the end, realizing I’d held my breath almost the whole book. How terrifying an experience! Definitely worth reading and being aware that the pain of motherhood takes many shapes.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2021
    I experienced a postpartum psychosis over 40 years ago, and I kept nodding in agreement as I read Catherine’s tale. Stress and sleep deprivation can cause a healthy mom to lose touch with reality. Catherine beautifully portrays life on the psych ward, and her disbelief that she is in this situation. It’s truly a love story between Catherine and her husband James, her anchor. Catherine clings to her truths, “I am alive, Real. I am married to James. Real, James loves me. Real. … I have postpartum psychosis. Real.”
    Her prose is poetic, and her insights revealing, as Catherine’s story flows between her previous life experiences and life on the psych ward. I’ve read every survivor tale about postpartum psychosis that I could find, and this is perhaps the most riveting and beautifully written.
    7 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2023
    A very interesting and well-written book that delves into the personal experience of a post-partum psychosis. It is an incredible and dramatic experience, but reveals love in many dimensions (parental love, mothers love, sibling and partner love). Engrossing.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2024
    Thank you for writing this book. I am both a psychiatrist and a mother; I rooted for you with the turn of every page. Your story will bolster mothers and the people who love them for years. Thank you.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2022
    I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley for review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
    A devastating memoir about postpartum psychosis. Author relates her life, background, belief system and heritage in this memoir. Interesting and informative.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2022
    This book was insightful into a world behind locked doors. It's an easy read, and I enjoyed the way she wrote it. The format of the book goes back and forth from her time before and during the hospital. She was courageous in sharing her story and is helping raise awareness of a mental health illness many know little to nothing about.

Top reviews from other countries

  • sandra guiney
    5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 26, 2021
    What a beautiful and sad story. I think the Korean way of life and moral structures can plant seeds in the young which eventually manifest through mental health. There belief systems are rather odd but very interesting. The idea of love being so traumatic and painful is irrational at best. It’s better to have loved and lost than to never love at all. The author writes beautifully and her descriptions of psychosis are that real that you feel right there beside her. Her style of writing takes you on the journey with her. What a beautiful and trusting human her husband was throughout. Absolutely loved this book. 5 stars all the way x
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 11, 2020
    As someone who exclusively reads Sci-fi and adventure books I wrongly assumed I was about to indulge in a less adventurous autobiography based on the challenges of motherhood.

    I was wrong.

    “When I was fifteen, my grandmother kissed my cheek and whispered in my ear ‘May you never find love’. It was a parting gift, like Jacob to his sons, she was trying to protect me.”

    Cat (the author) was able convey an intriguing and utterly captivating account of her experience as a young woman and new mother drowning in the emotional melange of the "third-culture" immigrant experience, religious dissonance, cultural dichotomy, domestic abuse, mental health and postpartum travails.

    Of the many things I appreciated reading this book, one thing that resonated with me was how was the author highlighted the impacts of the weight of generational expectation of cultural conformity in world that’s becoming ever more globalized and the toll on those who bear said burden.

    I would recommend this to everyone, but especially those that have had to bridge cultures, identities and religions. It’s a perpetual struggle and I’ve yet to read any work that has done it such justice.

    It was a splendid read and I’ll looking forward to seeing more from Cat.
  • Annie C
    4.0 out of 5 stars Visceral
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 24, 2020
    I saw another review with the headline 'visceral' and think that's the ideal word for this. A harrowing story, but a necessary one. Haunting writing.
    It ended quite abruptly, and some of the chapters felt a little staccato, but I wondered if this was a deliberate choice - to mimic the experience of the psychosis?
    I really felt like I was there with the author at time, experiencing what she was, and some passages were properly frightening. I think postpartum psychosis is definitely an under-reported topic, so I'm glad this book was written and hope it raises awareness.
  • Emma
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 8, 2024
    Such a beautifully written book, so relatable and honest. I highly recommend it.
  • Enrico Berardo
    5.0 out of 5 stars What an incredible journey of emotions
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 29, 2020
    I was initially expecting a book about psychosis, but Inferno by Catherine Cho revealed to be so much more. This is a story about love, motherhood and life: after just a few pages I wanted to learn more about Catherine's experience, so much so that I struggled to put this book down.

    With Inferno, the author bravely guides us through her emotional journey, which starts with her lost in a psych ward, but page after page she untangles the knots and resurfaces with new hope. She is able to vividly describe her psychosis and to make us understand that this could happen to anybody among us. During this process she shares very intimate parts of her life, family and love, where her husband James and her son Cato patiently wait for her at the end of the tunnel.

    I really appreciate and praise Catherine for her willingness to share her experience with the world. This book should be in everyone’s wish list!

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