Canadians fell in love with Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s beautiful and high-spirited bride when he brought her to the world stage as the youngest First Lady in the history of the country.
But the situation wasn’t as rosy as it seemed. Plagued by mood swings and unprepared for public life, Margaret became increasingly isolated at 24 Sussex, as her depression alternated with bouts of mania. As her behavior became more puzzling - even to Margaret herself - she did her best to mother her three young sons and stand by her husband. She finally broke down soon after their marriage dissolved.
As time went by, Margaret achieved a fragile stability, remarrying and bearing two more children. But the tragic loss of her son, Michel, in a skiing accident and the passing of Pierre Trudeau a few years later were too much to bear, and Margaret became severely ill.
After years of struggle to find the right doctors and the right treatment, Margaret has rebuilt her life once again. At 62, she is a vibrant, happy, and healthy woman who is an inspiration to us all.
Also included in Changing My Mind are essays by three of Canada’s pre-eminent mental health professionals who explore some of the treatments available to patients today.
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"The book was definitely a page-turner, even though I am not fascinated with Pierre Elliott Trudeau's life and entourage nor have I ever been. There's something about Margaret Trudeau that made me want to know more. She always seems so upbeat, yet was a PM's wife. She married P.E.T yet partied with some of the Rolling Stones and had an affair with Ted Kennedy. Her life was full of contrasts. For a big part of her life, she was lost and this is clearly explained and well detailed throughout the book. As for her life-struggle with bipolar disorder, I thought she could have given a more in-depth view. Yes she does mention when she was depressed and when she was manic but it's mostly up, down, up, down without a lot of description. The doctors in the afterword reveal more than she does, saying that she was once so paranoid that she thought her second son, Sacha, was going to kill her. Overall, I'd say it was a good memoir."
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Stéphanie (4 out of 5 stars)