Riding the Dolphin

A compelling authenticity marks this tale of a young woman's progress from incapacitating schizophrenia toward functional well-being. Tiffani Gilchrist is 24 years old when she moves from her parents' home to Camelot House, a group shelter for disturbed young people. Stubborn, frightened but acutely perceptive, Tiffani warily takes her place among the other residents: dominating Carla, aggressive Warren, nail-gnawing Lindy and Geoffrey, who is least connected to the real world. As Tiffani deals with difficulties in her personal lifeher sister's marriage and her parents' moveshe and the residents of ""C'' House must work out ways to live with each other and some particularly nasty neighbors. Carla's death and the neighbors' suit against the house lead Tiffani to take a chance on herself for the first time. This is a remarkably good-humored, unsentimental yet sympathetic book. Tiffani, with her painful awareness and not always likable ways, is a memorable and engaging character. (May)