Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #703371 in Books
• Published on: 2006-01-20
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 336 pages

Customer Reviews

Honest, funny and moving - a great read!
This isn't a heart-wringing story of a battle with depression - although mental illness is at it's heart. This is an uplifting, and often really funny account of coming to terms with and accepting what many people regard as a weakness or failure in themselves.

I totally identified with the personal battles being fought, and the way that Isabel went through a series of fears, resentments and personal revelations before her emotional breakthrough.

What I really loved, however, was that Elizabeth Flock didn't resort to a trite ending where everything was rosy and Isabel lived happily ever after. That made the story all the more real, as coping with depression is a journey that for some people will last a lifetime, and may not always go smoothly. Leaving the reader guessing about Isabel's recovery and reintegration into life outside a mental hospital was a stroke of genius.

I thoroughly recommend this book - I'm not sure there are many authors who can deal with the subject of depression in such an honest, funny and moving way.

A fascinating account of one woman's breakdown
Reporter Isabel is falling to pieces. After she crumbles on live tv and then attempts suicide she spends time at 'Three Winds', a psychiatric hospital, where she is closely monitored and encouraged to talk about her behaviour and attitude.

This was a fascinating book which I read in a few days as I couldn't put it down. It focuses on relationships created within the hospital, and also within Isabel's home life. As the book progresses the reader learns more about her and discovers how other people in her life may have contributed to her feelings of unworthiness. It's definitely a book which makes you think about mental illness and the stigma attached to it.

I really enjoyed this book. Although moving at times it was also empowering to see Isabel attempt to rebuild her life. An extremely well-written book - thought provoking and fascinating.

Deep, thought provoking and very different
This is an amazing book - it is really thought provoking and although the ending is good it is one of those books that makes you feel very strange after you've read it. It is very touching and you cannot help but be influenced by the depth of the characters and the thought that has gone in to the plotlines. The style of writing is very clever and it is very effective in making the book even more unusual. It is a fantastic read and it is well worth a look...