Daphne Stevens

PiercingSardonicFierce

The depth and relationship among characters

The many encounters between Tarwater and his uncle created a thread that was a scene in itself. The ambivalent relationship between the two characters-- actually shadows of one another--was both funny and poignant.

I wanted to listen, then digest and reflect before listening further.

Flannery O'Connor once said that the South is "Christ -haunted," and the religious motif is prevalent here. Her characters are both archetypal and personally compelling. This is classic Southern literature at its best--a book worth re-reading and discussing with others.

I couldn't finish this book. It's directed toward people in tremendous pain, but its tones quite disrespectful. It's answers are pat, and the authers seem to be too caught up in mutual congratulation to be of servive to the reader.

No

No

The repeated responses beginning with derogatory labels are unnecessary.

Read this if you're helped by pat, formulaic answers. In my experience as both a therapist and a mother, the challenge of dealing with adult children is extremely complex.

If you haven't suffered from catastrophic depression and want a guide-book, this is the book for you. The author has researched his topic well, but his preoccupation with his own story makes it difficult to distinguish the difference among autobiography, scholastic statistics, and anecdote. All three are in fact pretty grim.

Depression is serious, and it deserves serious attention. But the fact that the author leaves open the question of his own suicidal risk while graphically describing his mother's assisted suicide and citing statistics on the risks is not helpful to the reader.

I've read a number of the works the author cites. Kay Jamison has written graphic memoirs on her own depression, suicidal feelings, and the multitude of difficult treatments she underwent before she was stabilized on the correct regimen. She's also written a body of literature--for both clinical practitioners and those struggling with the disease--exploring the realities of mood disorders, suicidal risks and statistics that should be considered in treating depression. She also explores the creative aspects of ongoing mood swings.

Solomon tries to convey a message, but the reader is left to discern what it is. It may have been therapeutic to write. Not so therapeutic to read.

Whiney
Resigned
Sing-song

Yes. To avoid recommending this work to my clients.

No. Dwells on our vulnerabilities without offering answers or solutions. Depressing.
Characters are shallow.

Yes. Informative.

n/a

No

Yes. Lots of Information, well written and delivered, nice interweaving of theory and case studies, as well as recommendations for dealing with sociopaths. A bit chilling to be aware of the prevalence of this disorder.

Quiet. Similar use of case studies and stories, theory, and recommendations if the reader is an introvert or has a child who is an introvert.

Nice delivery, use of tone and cadence is easy to follow.

Yes.