What Made Maddy Run: Uncovering the Secret Struggles and Tragic Death of an All-American Teen

Holly: Overall, the author did a good job of respectfully telling this story. By having access to Maddy’s private life, it’s evident that you never truly know how someone is coping.

I’m giving four stars because the chapters about the author’s personal life are unnecessary and give off a “look at me” vibe. The statistics were informative, but she should have left out all of her own personal stories.

United States on Jul 10, 2023

Ally Thompson: I read this book as a loss survivor. My brother died by suicide in 2020 and I relate to Maddy’s family in many ways. My brother was a high school athlete and very much of a perfectionist, like Maddy. The story of her life and death through the lenses of all the people close to her was relatable.
Four stars because Kate Fagan, the author, offered too much irrelevancy to a story that I feel should be told very personally. The chapter where she interviewed the person about how to “storytell” on suicide I felt was the most unnecessary addition. I didn’t buy the book to read about Kate, I bought it to read about Maddy.
All in all, a great read when you skip through the random tangent pieces added and focus solely on Maddy’s story.

United States on Jul 07, 2023

Kirsten Pursell: As a high level athlete who lost their identity once they left the sport, I could relate to Maddy's struggles. As the parent of three collegiate athletes, I also could relate. One of my children played at an Ivy. I wish she hadn't. Her self-esteem completely destroyed in the process. I came to her emotional rescue more than once in those years. It's always scary to think your child might be on the brink of a breakdown even when we know the signs. My heart breaks for Maddy's family and all those that have lost children to suicide. Finding our way in the world is hard. Thanks for sharing her story and reminding readers that these situations exist.

United States on Apr 14, 2023

Donald Arteaga: This book is a well-told reconstruction of events from Maddy's high school years to her last day alive. Using Maddy's text messages to interviews from friends and family to stored documents on Maddy's computer, the author was extremely thorough in her research.

In addition, I really appreciated how the author added nuance to every situation. In a lesser book, Maddy's track coach could've easily been scapegoated as the person who set the trajectory for Maddy's suicide. She met with him to say she's quitting track, but he encouraged her to find a middle ground. Rather than leave it at that, the author adds the coach dealt with dozens of college students before under similar circumstances who simply needed time adjusting to college life and came out stronger on the other side.

Put simply, the causes for suicide are complex and multifaceted. Many times there's not a single answer but a multitude of factors. As for Maddy, what are the key causes most often pointed to in the book?

- 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭,...

United States on Mar 27, 2023

Duane Schneider: I was in tears by the time I read about Maddy Holleran's death. But this should have been a perfect book, and it wasn't. I say it should've been perfect because it had a ready-made, baked-in story that needed telling, the transition from high school to college of a smart, beautiful, talented young woman who was loved by all her family and friends but who nevertheless experienced (spoiler alert) a downward spiral into depression and suicide. We think we can recognize the candidates for suicide, but this book shows us that we can't. Outsiders would've characterized Maddy as having everything. The tendency for uninformed readers might be to place blame, but to her credit the author is careful never to do that. It's obvious that Maddy's family and friends were eager to help in whatever way possible. When Maddy decided to quit the Penn track team, her mother and sister accompanied her to the meeting with her coach. Maddy received emails and texts offering support. In the end, I felt nothing but grief for Maddy's family, as it was clear they lost someone they deeply loved, and they did everything in their power to help her. My gripe with "What Made Maddy Run" is that it seemed somewhat...

United States on Dec 29, 2019

Grant MacDougall: If you have any young people in your life this book is a must read. It has opened my eyes to the challenges our youth are facing and the impact that technology and mental health issues are having on their generation.

Canada on Jan 03, 2019

MeMe: This book was interesting, scary and honest.

Maddy is not doing well in her head and nobody picks up on it until it is too late. She is the young woman who appears to have it all, but she cannot make it through a day.

This book was scary t read because it details so well what every parent's nightmare is - not seeing or understanding that your child is sick and needs help.

Maddy's story is heartbreaking and it is detailed here as a cautionary tale - it scared me and made me incredibly sad. The author does not shy away from who Maddy was and what happened, tracking it back and seeing the signs that were there but weren't there at the same time.

At times, I found myself getting upset at Maddy and then feeling sad for her parents and then sensing how very sad and unhappy Maddy was. She was obviously running from something that was catching up to her.

Excellent reading, excellent writing with compassion and honesty.

Canada on Mar 02, 2018