Karl Hedman

The Louisiana Beauty Queen by Karl Hedman unveils a tearful love story with heartbreaking tenderness. The book is available at Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Louisiana-Beauty-Queen-Karl-Hedman-ebook/dp/B09MGB83HM/ref=tmm_kin_title_sr?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

As a dear friend of mine said, mental illness is a natural part of the human condition. There is so much negative stigma around mental illness. So many of us are touched by mental illness either directly or via a loved one. We all need to experience liberation. This book is written for anyone touched by mental illness and/or dementia, either through a loved one or in themselves. I hope readers will find comfort and acceptance whilst reading this piece. That is my humble attempt.

Karl Hedman

The Louisiana Beauty Queen

1970: Mary is a Louisiana beauty queen and teacher with many sexy boyfriends. She gives birth to the baby girl Maria. Her world falls apart after a second divorce. She is admitted to mental health hospitals for years leaving Maria with her grandmother. Mary plans to commit suicide and takes Maria too along.

1995: After falling in love in Los Angeles and romancing in France Maria and I get married in Stockholm and have two daughters.

2000: Maria is diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. During a psychotic attack Maria abducts our daughters, hiding them in from myself and the police for months. I begin a breathless chase to find the girls.

2018: Mary is evicted in Louisiana and moves to the family in Sweden. She has dementia coupled with mental illness, manic outbursts, and sex fantasies. Her behavior pushes the already frail family unit to its limits. Most days turn into a wild roller coaster ride, and I can barely catch my breath.

2019: Maria is diagnosed with terminal brain cancer foreshadowing a darker family tragedy to come.

DR. KARL HEDMAN was born in Sweden in 1967. He moved to Los Angeles for his graduate studies at UCLA. After earning his Doctor of Philosophy degree and working as a university professor Karl pursued his lifelong dream of becoming an author. He lives in Sweden.

Attention: Book Lovers.

I highly recommend this book by my friend Karl Hedman, titled “The Louisiana Beauty Queen”. Through this story, Karl pays tribute to his late wife Maria and mother-in-law Mary, both amazing, strong women who battled mental health issues throughout their lives. It is a story that will touch you, hurt you and possibly make you cry (I did), but above all it will make you realize how brave we human beings can be in the face of utter adversity and debilitating illness. I had the privilege of being a part of this journey as the native English language speaker and I could not have asked for a better piece of work to read, edit and connect to. As Karl tirelessly navigates through the bouts of schizophrenia, hallucination, anger and tears; all offsprings of mental health conditions, that are thrown his way – the reader feels it all and can totally relate. This story is one of love, fatality and everlasting hope. “The Louisiana Beauty Queen” is available on Amazon. Kindle version is also an option. Thank you, Happy Reading! Malinee Bheenick, Melbourne, Australia

Maryann Larucci-Troche rated it really liked it at Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59828044-the-louisiana-beauty-queen

I feel this is a memoir of Karl Hedman’s life with his wife, Maria and his mother-in-law, Mary, who were both diagnosed psychotic with severe depression, schizophrenia, and dementia. The decades of mental illness he had to deal with by these two women is unbelievable, yet; although mentally worn out himself, he never turned his back on the love of his life and her mother. He truly loved with everything he had. This is a true life story of love, courage and endurance. His two daughters were definitely a foundation to maintain his own sanity. I commend wholeheartedly Mr. Hedman for loving without conditions and enduring with saint-like patience. You are truly a diamond in the rough. You have definitely earned enjoying life, being joyful with your daughters and your wings. 

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© Karl Hedman