Reading Books With The Lights Out

[London By Night]

I've just finished reading 'The Bell Jar' by Sylvia Plath, a semi autobiographical first person account of a woman's descent into depression and suicide. It's really shaken me to the core. I had never read any of her work before and knew very little about her.

I have found it hard to read books lately, but this one really caught my imagination.

Does anyone know of any other books of a similar nature that they would care to recommend? Books about depression, preferably written in the first person, either autobiographical or fictional?

I'm sure there must be others, but books aren't really my speciality so I thought I would throw this one open...

[Kewpie]

I don't know it's easy to find English transtation, but recommend you to read Japanese novelist Osamu Dazai's No Longer Human.

I avoided his books when I was a teenager because everyone said his work was bible to Smiths fans.

[Practising Troublemaker]

I've just finished reading 'The Bell Jar' by Sylvia Plath, a semi autobiographical first person account of a woman's descent into depression and suicide. It's really shaken me to the core. I had never read any of her work before and knew very little about her.

I have found it hard to read books lately, but this one really caught my imagination.

Does anyone know of any other books of a similar nature that they would care to recommend? Books about depression, preferably written in the first person, either autobiographical or fictional?

I'm sure there must be others, but books aren't really my speciality so I thought I would throw this one open...

Not sure what I should recommend at the moment as far as novels are concerned but anything by Philip Larkin is well worth a read.

Also I read 'The Bell Jar' last weekend as I am doing it next year for my A2 course in Literature, it is a fantastic book! I have to now read 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles'. I am currently downloading the audio book of 'The Bell Jar' which I shall put on my iPod! If you want discussion about 'The Bell jar' then lets discuss away!

Love PTxx.

[PregnantForTheLastTime]

J D Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye is also about a young person and his bout with depression. Off the top of my head.

[oye terence]

the finest piece of writing i have ever encountered about depression is "the crack up" by f . scott fitzgerald
it left me stunned,and wanting more.

[Kewpie]

London By Night is in his/her 30s.

[oye terence]

London By Night is in his/her 30s.

hello kewpie,how are you?

but,what does that have to do with it?

[PregnantForTheLastTime]

London By Night is in his/her 30s.

So am I. Are you implying that I am no longer young?

[Kewpie]

hello kewpie,how are you?

but,what does that have to do with it?

I'm fine thanks.

So am I. Are you implying that I am no longer young?

Nope, but I suppose he/she read The Catcher in the Rye.

[oye terence]

I'm fine thanks.



Nope, but I suppose he/she read The Catcher in the Rye.

ahhh,that is what you meant!

im a bit slow ,booze has slowed my mind tonight.

[Kilt Uncle]

Only for a Fortnight: My Life in a Locked Ward

* By (author): Sue Read
* Introduction by: Leslie Morrish
* Published by: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
* Publication date: 04/Jul/1989
* Format: Paperback - 208 pages
* Product dimensions (mm): 178 x 111
* ISBN-10: 0747503818
* ISBN-13: 9780747503811
*
Categories:
> Biography: General

I read this years ago, about a woman who had learning difficulties, dyslexia and so forth, and was supposed to be away for a fortnight, but ended up spending years in a Mental Hospital. It had a big impact on me when i read it and it's a true story.

[PregnantForTheLastTime]

I'm fine thanks.



Nope, but I suppose he/she read The Catcher in the Rye.

And I would suppose that if s/he hadn't read The Bell Jar, s/he'd have missed Catcher as well. The are practically required reading for all angsty teens.

[Amy]

"The Bell Jar" is a masterpiece, quite possibly my favourite book of all time.
These are worth a look as well;


Prozac Nation - Elizabeth Wurtzel
Girl, Interrupted - Susanna Kaysen
The Trick is to Keep Breathing - Janice Galloway
The Virgin Suicides - Jeffrey Eugenides
Cut - Patricia McCormick
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest - Ken Kesey

Not that I often read about misery, depression, mental illness & suicide...



Edit: "Catcher in the Rye" is dreadful, I have never understood the infatuation with that book. Perhaps you have to be American to truly 'get it', perhaps I'll come back to it in 10 years and change my mind, but right now...urgh.

[Kilt Uncle]

Prozac Nation was a great book..

Also a book called The Silent Twins about two sisters from Wales who never spoke and used their own form of communication between each other. They were Sectioned because experts couldn't work out what was wrong with them.

They did a bit of Arson as well...so..

But a great book all the same. The Manic Street Preachers made a song about them called Tsunami, and it's a great book and tune...

[Amy]

Prozac Nation was a great book..

It's fantastic there is a sequel to it now, the next chapter of Wurtzel's life, but I haven't read it. Do you know if it's any good?

[Kilt Uncle]

It's fantastic there is a sequel to it now, the next chapter of Wurtzel's life, but I haven't read it. Do you know if it's any good?

I haven't Amy. I read Prozac nation about 13 years ago and i must read it again.

The follow-up would be great to read.