The Last of the Mentally Ill

Never Let Me Go and Brave New World meet Turtles All the Way Down in a near future where a teen with mental illness becomes the center of seismic change.

In a near-future New York, Chester Owens - a tall, lumbering sixteen-year-old with severe social anxiety - clings to routine and tries to remain invisible. Abandoned by his parents as a baby, all Chester knows is Greendale, a secretive, locked-down facility where he and his classmates are taught to cope with their mental illnesses.

But the facility is not what it seems. Run by the powerful and sinister Leto corporation, it thrives under the strict rule of Claire Steinfeld. Where did these students really come from? What's Leto's plan for them? A group of activists and whistleblowers are about to expose Leto from within, and Chester will learn how unique he really is.

Praise for THE LAST OF THE MENTALLY ILL:

"A candid and raw view into the mind of a mentally ill character who does not know he's about to become your favorite character! Absolutely amazing...a great story." -Fatima Aladdin, Reedsy Discovery

"A quirky and introspective realistic fiction novel akin to works by Ned Vizzini or John Green, but with a healthy flavor of sci-fi. A riveting read for teens and adults alike, The Last of the Mentally Ill offers an imagined future in the aftermath of covid, the murder of George Floyd, and the new place of therapy and mental illness in modern society."

-George Hajjar, Goodreads Member

Praise for Joseph Rauch's writing:

"The prose...is sharp and lively, and Rauch has a talent for the seamless integration of serious philosophical themes and bantering humor." -Kirkus Reviews

"A promising young writer who calls to mind the darkly comic, metaphorical worlds of Etgar Keret. Mr. Rauch has a wicked imagination and a profound understanding of what makes us tick." -Said Sayrafiezadeh, author of Brief Encounters with the Enemy

"Rauch is a great writer who holds your attention throughout. Every conversation and situation...is interesting, deep, and poignant." -Kelly, Amazon Reviewer

"Rauch's writing style has you flipping quickly through pages." -Haley, Goodreads Member