Chapter 9, My Family and Friends Summary and Analysis

When Patty Duke moved in with and then married John Astin, she was continuing to suffer manic and depressive episodes. John had not witnessed any of these behaviors until after they were living together. Almost as soon as they began living together, Patty and John took custody of one of John's son. When they were married a time later, Patty gave birth to her second child and she and John took custody of all three of his children from his previous marriage. This, on top of traveling in order for John to work, found Patty falling into frequent depressions. No newlywed is quite prepared to take on five children, let alone travel the country for months on end with five children, several pets, and Patty's mother. Later, when Patty and John settled down...