Adam Haslett- Imagi e Me G ne

Real and honest.

“the monster has its funnel driven into the back of your head and is sucking the light coming through your eyes straight out of you into the mouth of oblivion.”

Margret and John, living in the 1960's realize their life isn't always full of happiness. Margret finds out John is suffering with depression and must find a way to save him before it gets too much.

The story unfolds into the perspectives of their children, Michael, Celia and Alec as they struggle to find their places involving their father's mental illness. As John is highly dependent on medication in order to cope with his depression his face tries many ways to help him but mental health isn't curable overnight.

As the demons plague the family, each member suffers differently and some more than others.

Will the family fight the demons together? How long is too long to fight a battle that isn’t yours?

As a young adult suffering with depression and anxiety, I found Haslett's approach very intriguing and honest when capturing the lives affected when mental illnesses are present. It's never easy to help someone with their mental health, especially if they can't accept the help they truly deserve.

I love how Haslett doesn't glorify mental health and gives the character meaning instead of just portraying them as broken. The book isn't watered down for audience purposes and demonstrates real life hardships and growth of mental illness.

The title got me into reading this book as it really sets the tone to what mental health issues can do to not only the person suffering but the surrounding people as well.

This story really sheds light on how much support family members need just as the person suffering does as mental illnesses don't just affect one person. Shedding light on those who need help, those who should help and those who should be help, Haslett wrote a work of art.

I would recommend this book to those who can stomach really sad books.