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Stan Kapuchinski
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The Looney Bin Kindle Edition

by Stan Kapuchinski (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 out of 5 stars 74 ratings

Psychiatrist Jack Rackham has spent years helping others cope with their emotional pain while struggling to bury his own trauma: the suicide of his twin brother. When a patient hangs himself, Jack’s control begins to break dragging him deeper into a guilt that he still tries to ignore.

As Jack persists in denying his inner turmoil, his marriage teeters on the edge when his wife, Bonny, gives him an ultimatum: confront his demons or leave. Jack lacks help from any of his colleagues who are dealing with their emotional burdens. A psychoanalyst drowns in marital misery, a devout Evangelist psychiatrist hides her unspeakable secrets, a dangerously charming sociopath risks arrest and a rogue social worker introduces her patients to talking with the dead.

Struggling between his guilt, disillusionment, and a glimmer of self-awareness, Jack finally faces Bonny and confesses his deepest fear: that he may never measure up to be the perfect person he should be. In a raw and tender moment, they make a tentative peace. But as Jack watches her drive away, he is left alone to begin the difficult journey toward acceptance and change... if he can.

The Looney Bin is a darkly humorous, unflinching exploration of personal demons, professional chaos, and the rocky road to self-acceptance—where every breakthrough comes at a price.
Fans of Jodi Picoult and Lisa Genova will be captivated by this emotional and thought-provoking novel.

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  1. Language
    English
  2. Publication date
    September 25, 2023
  3. File size
    2.1 MB
  4. Page Flip
    Enabled
  5. Word Wise
    Enabled
  6. Enhanced typesetting
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From the Publisher

Human beings falling into a bin of self-deception

TAKE A JOURNEY INTO THE LABYRINTH OF THE MIND

Psychological-Satire Fiction

Stan Kapuchinski

Dead Horse State Park, Utah

Author Stan Kapuchinski

As a psychiatrist who's practiced in Connecticut, Florida and also a spot of time in Queensland, Australia, I often worked with people with relationship problems. This led to my non-fiction book, Say Goodbye to your PDI (Personality Disordered Individual) Recognize People Who Make You Miserable and Eliminate Them from Your Life for Good!. written to help people deal with manipulating and controlling individuals, put their guilt behind them and be happy.

My novel, The Looney Bin, tells of quirky mental health professionals dealing with their own emotional baggage and how they either face it or keep fooling themselves to keep that perfect self-image. Rich in crisp dialog, The Looney Bin dives deeply into the hearts and souls of these characters and lays bare their inner secrets, fears, passions and self-deceit.

Now thriving in sunny, southwest Florida, I’m hoping that The Looney Bin tells an engaging story which is also thought provoking for the reader..

TRAVELLING HERE AND THERE

Northern Lights off Norway's coast (-10 F.)

Northern Lights off Norway's coast (-15°F)

Layering was key as we stood waiting to see the Northern Lights.

Silverback gorilla in Rwanda

A gorilla demonstrates his choice in literary excellence

The silverback carries his copy of The Looney Bin to share with his friends.

Taormina, Sicily

Italian Music & Dancing

This was a lively, musical duo on a Taormina street

Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo

Beauty All Around

We were lucky to have hit just the right time for cherry blossom season in Japan

Worthy Quotes

The mind can be so slippery you can slide around forever and never get up The Looney Bin

Unbeing dead isn’t being alive e.e. cummings

Life has no remote. Get up and change it yourself. Charlie Brown

Everybody has emotional baggage. Some have a small carry-on While others lug a steamer trunk The Looney Bin

A smart person knows a tomatoe's a fruit. A wise person knows not to put it in a fruit salad Anon

ABOUT THE LOONEY BIN

A University mental health clinic stands in sunny, southwestern Florida. But it is only a building. It's the eccentric experts in the human mind inside that building who give The Looney Bin its life, breath and dysfunction.

Witty, sarcastic psychiatrist, Jack Rackham, will readily volunteer how well he knows himself and is master of his destiny. But that's only until his feisty wife, Bonny, confronts his fantasy and turns Jack and their marriage upside down.

Rebellious mental health therapist, Hester Snopes, brags about her rise from trailer trash with a father who called his morning beer and cheerios his 'breakfast of champions'. Hester experiments with tarot cards and speaking with the dead as her 'special therapy' for clients.

Religious zealot, psychiatrist Felicity Steele, icily scorns her patients for their sins as she strenuously supresses her long-held, shameful secrets behind her Bible.

Jim Bizby, a meek, unassertive psychiatrist is finding himself in quite a mental muddle as he's forced to face his unhappines in a loveless marriage while dealing with a very seductive patient who is arousing in Jim some very uncomfortable thoughts. feelings and desires.

The Looney Bin presents larger than life characters enmeshed in emotionally charged sruggles that show the complexities of dealing with life on the outside and on our inside.

Editorial Reviews

Review

My Take Away on The Looney Bin- WORTH TO READ
The author, Stan Kapuchinski, knows his craft and is clearly a skilled professional who loves to help others solve their problems....The dialogue of this fictional story is fluent and crisp.
Stan's intimate understanding and overwhelming knowledge of his profession as a psychiatrist are clearly visible in the book. Every chapter has just the right amount of humor and earnestness to make the reader understand that this is not just a story.
There are many years of experience behind every situation the main character of the book must resolve. This gives the reader the impression of the graveness of some of these emotional issues.
The story is easy to read and follow without too much technical detail so that everyone can understand without the need for a degree. The Looney Bin will appeal to a broad audience and is a definite page-turner, a book you can read in a few sittings. Book Nerdection

A clever, witty, and thought-provoking exploration of mental health, relationships, and the human experience; impossible to put down.
Prairies Book Review

The Looney Bin is a genuinely gripping read that handles many tough topics like CSA, domestic violence, and suicide. It is certainly not for the faint of heart, though Kapuchinski's prose is often as entertaining as it is evocative. These are the kind of polarizing characters who make you angry, frustrated, sympathetic - they might be fictional but they bring out very real feelings in the reader.
Gripping and evocative, Kapuchinski's The Looney Bin is a wild ride deep into the human condition that will compel you to keep reading.
ManyBooks

From the Author

In writing this book, I wanted to tell a story about us all and how we deal with everyday life. My experience treating people as a psychiatrist has shown me how bound we can be by fears within. I think the one of the worst fears we humans have is being seen as inadequate, you know, not measuring up. And that, therefore, means one is unworthy, unloveable and undeserving. Think about how much happiness is lost as we constantly compare ourselves to someone who is better, has more, is more successful, drives a bigger car, etc., etc., etc. I've put my kids through school on the depressions I've treated because of this fear. Of course, you can also tell yourself you're better than everyone else and get rid of the fear that way. Bu then you're still not happy because telling yourself how good you are takes up so much time.

In my book, I wanted to show a variety of characters with that fear of inadequacy and how they were dealing with it. Some lie to themselves and tell themselves they're much btter than they believe. Some judge others harshly to reassure themselves they're better. Some use others to tell themselves their mastery and power make them hot stuff. One hides all feelings so she won't have to face any worries.

The Looney Bin is not the mental health clinic building where much of the book takes place. It is the mix of these people who breathe life into the title. By the way, there are some 'sensible' characters who bring the sanity around. I wished to use mental health experts as those carrying the baggae to make the point that no one, even the experts, is free from fears about how they're seen and thought of.

A friend gave me a book on Buddhism which conveys the simple message that 'we are who we are'. That means we're imperfect individuals in an imperfect world. I have found, in treating people, that accepting that is very hard. Hard becuse then one has to live his or her life, do things, be active, take risks and not hide fearing with others might think with no excuses to rely on.

At the end of my novel, the main character, Jack Rackham, says "I need to adpopt Popeye's mantra, 'I y'am who I y'am and thats all that I y'am'."In my writing, I was hoping my readers would come away just a tad more self-aware. Me, I'm still working on it.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CHFXXT93
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Stan Kapuchinski
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 25, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.1 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 74 ratings

About the author

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Stan Kapuchinski

Stan Kapuchinski

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My current psychological fiction novel, "The Looney Bin", explores the various ways we humans strive to maintain a positive image of ourselves while grappling with our imperfections. It delves into the extremes of denial some people hide behind, as well as the courage others show in confronting their flaws and growing from the experience.

As a psychiatrist with experience practicing in Connecticut, Florida, and Queensland, Australia, I've had extensive exposure to individuals facing emotional challenges. This experience inspired my non-fiction book, "Say Goodbye to Your PDI (Personality Disordered Individual): Recognize People Who Make You Miserable and Eliminate Them from Your Life for Good!" In this book, I aim to help readers identify when they are being manipulated and controlled by others, allowing them to shed misplaced guilt and pursue a happy, fulfilling life.

Throughout my career, I've held university positions, written a widely-read mental health column, produced a radio call-in show, and appeared on numerous TV and radio programs to discuss mental health issues.

Now thriving in sunny southwest Florida, I hope "The Looney Bin," a dialogue-rich, character-driven novel, not only offers a compelling story but also provides enjoyment and perhaps some introspection for my readers.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
74 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book thought-provoking and engaging, with compelling characters and well-developed narrative. One customer particularly appreciates the psychological nuances throughout the story. However, the grammar receives mixed feedback, with some praising the crisp dialog while others point out glaring errors and misspellings.

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9 customers mention "Enlightened"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book deeply engaging and thought-provoking, describing it as an absolute delight to read.

"Most enjoyable for me was the fast paced dialog, with both humor and sensitive topics blended together in what seems almost an ideal screenplay...." Read more

"Quirky, entertaining. Funny and fresh...." Read more

"...The Loony Bin” is undeniably a page-turner. I found myself unable to put it down, eagerly flipping pages to unravel the characters’ fates...." Read more

"While the novel kept my attention, I didn't find some of the characters believable...." Read more

6 customers mention "Readability"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable.

"...Stan Kapuchinski leaves no taboo stones unturned, well done." Read more

"...after working more than forty years in mental health, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The insight is phenomenal and I loved it!" Read more

"...It was a great book and I highly recommend it." Read more

"Great book but come on!..." Read more

5 customers mention "Narrative quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers praise the narrative quality of the book, with one review highlighting its well-crafted plotlines and psychological nuances, while another appreciates how it explores the complexities of psychiatry in an utterly relatable way.

"...and sensitive topics blended together in what seems almost an ideal screenplay...." Read more

"...His expertise in psychiatry and psychological nuances is evident on every page, enriching the narrative and making it both enlightening and thought-..." Read more

"I loved the humor and caricatures of Psychiatrists but what was really interesting was the two stories about troubled marriages and the different..." Read more

"...combination of crisp dialogue, compelling characters, and an original plot. A thought-provoking read!" Read more

4 customers mention "Character development"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book.

"...The characters resolved conflicts for others and within themselves...." Read more

"...The characters are exceptionally well-developed, making their journey through the complexities of psychiatry utterly relatable and deeply..." Read more

"...Looney Bin" offers an engaging combination of crisp dialogue, compelling characters, and an original plot. A thought-provoking read!" Read more

"...Quirky, memorable characters. Book leaves you with positive thoughts about life and yourself" Read more

9 customers mention "Grammar"4 positive5 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's grammar, with some praising the crisp dialog while others point out glaring errors, misspellings, and poor sentence structure.

"Most enjoyable for me was the fast paced dialog, with both humor and sensitive topics blended together in what seems almost an ideal screenplay...." Read more

"Quirky, entertaining. Funny and fresh. I held back one star due to poor editing: misspelled or missing words; jarring lack and abuse of quotation..." Read more

""The Looney Bin" offers an engaging combination of crisp dialogue, compelling characters, and an original plot. A thought-provoking read!" Read more

"...The glaring errors in grammar, misspellings, and punctuation broke my attention too often. I did enjoy some of the author's humor." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Marco
    5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable novel set in a mental health clinic
    Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Most enjoyable for me was the fast paced dialog, with both humor and sensitive topics blended together in what seems almost an ideal screenplay.
    The characters resolved conflicts for others and within themselves. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in mental health treatment and especially for those who are mental health clinicians. Stan Kapuchinski leaves no taboo stones unturned, well done.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Violet Bloom
    4.0 out of 5 stars enjoyable story
    Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Quirky, entertaining. Funny and fresh. I held back one star due to poor editing: misspelled or missing words; jarring lack and abuse of quotation marks. The dialogue was excellent but the mechanics were a nightmare. If polished properly this little gem of a story would really shine. It would make a big movie too.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Marsha Starsman
    5.0 out of 5 stars “The Looney Bin” is an insider’s view of a not so exemplary psychiatric clinic.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I recently finished reading “The Loony Bin” by psychiatrist Stan Kapuchinski, and I am utterly captivated! This book is a literary gem, a brilliant fusion of captivating storytelling and profound psychological insight. The characters are exceptionally well-developed, making their journey through the complexities of psychiatry utterly relatable and deeply engaging.

    Kapuchinski’s intimate knowledge of psychiatric clinics shines through, painting a vivid and authentic picture of the challenges faced within these environments. His expertise in psychiatry and psychological nuances is evident on every page, enriching the narrative and making it both enlightening and thought-provoking.

    “The Loony Bin” is undeniably a page-turner. I found myself unable to put it down, eagerly flipping pages to unravel the characters’ fates. The seamless blend of suspense, empathy, and expertly crafted plotlines makes this book an absolute delight to read.

    Kudos to Stan Kapuchinski for creating a masterpiece that deserves nothing less than five stars. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone seeking an exploration of a not so exemplary psychiatry clinic.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Diane Hildebrandt
    3.0 out of 5 stars Captivating but...
    Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    While the novel kept my attention, I didn't find some of the characters believable. The glaring errors in grammar, misspellings, and punctuation broke my attention too often. I did enjoy some of the author's humor.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • it is who I am
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I am retired now, after working more than forty years in mental health, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The insight is phenomenal and I loved it!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Joan E. Flynn
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting and funny.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 21, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I loved the humor and caricatures of Psychiatrists but what was really interesting was the two stories about troubled marriages and the different ways in which they were resolved. It was a great book and I highly recommend it.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    2.0 out of 5 stars Great book but come on!
    Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Wow. Was this book spellchecked??? So many typos I could barely enjoy it. Seriously dismissed my thought processes trying to figure it out.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Edward Garnett
    5.0 out of 5 stars An intriguing story about the mental health profession
    Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    "The Looney Bin" offers an engaging combination of crisp dialogue, compelling characters, and an original plot. A thought-provoking read!
    2 people found this helpful
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