Liar, Gown on Fire

A story about lies and a liar, Liar, Liar, Gown on Fire is a memoir of a lifelong struggle with mental illnesses, specifically bipolar disorder and factitious disorder, more commonly known as Munchausen syndrome. When she was as young as six years old, Cindy found a thrill in receiving attention for being sick or injured. Flinging herself off a swing set, hoping to break an arm or leg, she often found herself sitting in the sand, disappointed in her good health. As she grew older and into the painful awkwardness of young adulthood, the lengths to which Cindy would go to gain "sick sympathy" grew more extreme. Cindy Buckshon's many careers and talents-from nanny, to artist, to bus driver, to wannabe heavy-duty mechanic, to graphic designer-set the stage for an exciting and unconventional life. This memoir is about mental illness, but it doesn't ignore the person behind the disorders; it focuses on a wild journey through a life filled with creativity, psychotic adventures, emotional instability and faith. Written with a frank honesty that allows both humour and pain to shine through, the book is a refreshing read and will satisfy those curious about a real mental disorder that, ironically, results in pretend illnesses.