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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is a love letter to anyone who has struggled or
loved someone with mental health. Because of that, I am
not going to give it a "star" rating as it's one of those reads
that I believe to be imperative for everyone.
Sorrow and Bliss is an intimate, raw portrayal of a life
marred by a multifaceted mental illness (cleverly only
marked as _) with as many symptoms and outbursts
as there are moments of reflection, puzzlement and, yes,
even moments of bliss. I'll confess that it took me a minute
to get into the immediacy of the narration with which
Mason writes; a witty, dry humor that is so representative
of the exhaustion and hilarity those of us with mental
health struggles often find ourselves in. The meaning of it
all is found not just in the words themselves but in the
thoughts underneath. This is where Mason's artistry truly
shines.
As we get deeper into Martha's story, the curtain lifts and
her internal reflections become more profound as Martha
begins to convey the obviousness of her diagnoses that
those around her either didn't see or, in some cases,
deliberately refused to acknowledge.
There are so many things I loved throughout the book
from the relationship between sisters Martha and Ingrid
(which frequently reminded me of the sister duo in
Fleabag) to Martha's deadpan responses. The most
important moments, in my opinion, were those where
Mason subtly injected societal realities around mental
health and how we treat people with the stigma, from
showing symptoms to post-diagnosis. There was even a
poignant reference to abortion, which I included in the
photos.
All in all, there's a reason this book was shortlisted for
@womensprize - it's not to be missed. There are quite a
few content warnings for this one, so feel free to DM me with questions.
loved someone with mental health. Because of that, I am
not going to give it a "star" rating as it's one of those reads
that I believe to be imperative for everyone.
Sorrow and Bliss is an intimate, raw portrayal of a life
marred by a multifaceted mental illness (cleverly only
marked as _) with as many symptoms and outbursts
as there are moments of reflection, puzzlement and, yes,
even moments of bliss. I'll confess that it took me a minute
to get into the immediacy of the narration with which
Mason writes; a witty, dry humor that is so representative
of the exhaustion and hilarity those of us with mental
health struggles often find ourselves in. The meaning of it
all is found not just in the words themselves but in the
thoughts underneath. This is where Mason's artistry truly
shines.
As we get deeper into Martha's story, the curtain lifts and
her internal reflections become more profound as Martha
begins to convey the obviousness of her diagnoses that
those around her either didn't see or, in some cases,
deliberately refused to acknowledge.
There are so many things I loved throughout the book
from the relationship between sisters Martha and Ingrid
(which frequently reminded me of the sister duo in
Fleabag) to Martha's deadpan responses. The most
important moments, in my opinion, were those where
Mason subtly injected societal realities around mental
health and how we treat people with the stigma, from
showing symptoms to post-diagnosis. There was even a
poignant reference to abortion, which I included in the
photos.
All in all, there's a reason this book was shortlisted for
@womensprize - it's not to be missed. There are quite a
few content warnings for this one, so feel free to DM me with questions.
I'm glad I read this during May (Mental Health Awareness Month). It really is an extraordinary book for anyone who's experienced mental illness, or anyone whose loved ones have. Or really, anybody who's curious about a frank, empathetic, funny glimpse into what it can be like. I appreciate that Martha's not portrayed as a wholly angelic, innocent person outside of her diagnosis; she still has flaws and makes her own decisions. You can see both Martha and her loved ones working to differentiate where her ___ begins and she ends. People don't treat her with kid gloves, but neither do they deny her compassion or blame her for the way ___ affects her brain's wiring in ways people without a mental illness don't even have to think about.
The humor is amazing and keeps the book afloat during scenes that could've felt so heavy without Martha's wit.
A lot of moments during the last third of the book made me cry. Especially and .
As for keeping Martha's actual diagnosis a blank, it confused me at first. But as I read, I realized that keeping it purposefully vague lets this book work for anyone who's experienced any mental illness. It doesn't turn it into a book specifically about one diagnosis or the other; it means that everyone can feel equally seen.
The humor is amazing and keeps the book afloat during scenes that could've felt so heavy without Martha's wit.
A lot of moments during the last third of the book made me cry. Especially
Spoiler
the letter from Martha's motherSpoiler
the scene where Patrick and Martha finally talk about their marriage in the storage centerAs for keeping Martha's actual diagnosis a blank, it confused me at first. But as I read, I realized that keeping it purposefully vague lets this book work for anyone who's experienced any mental illness. It doesn't turn it into a book specifically about one diagnosis or the other; it means that everyone can feel equally seen.
This is a book about an abusive woman who doesn’t appreciate her husband. She also has an undisclosed mental illness. But that’s by-the-by, because her lowlights are still there even when she’s on an even keel.
Like all abusers, she’s selective and very capable of not being abusive - she treats her sister, father, and mentor entirely differently, for example. She derisively mocks him, she is domestically violent and leaves bruises by throwing things at him.
Here’s a very typical excerpt:
‘I asked him to move and he stepped aside. He said sorry when my elbow knocked into him on the way past and I was filled with disdain for a man who was so kind, and obedient, and oblivious.’
I’m not sure how this book got rave reviews, many containing the words “fun” or “funny”, celebrating the narrator because she was - quote - “so real”. Let’s hope not, because I’m pretty sure if real life Martha was married to their loved one, they’d tell him to run. The fact she becomes self aware and remorseful in the final pages offers little consolation. The writing is full of talent, but it’s a miserable story.
Like all abusers, she’s selective and very capable of not being abusive - she treats her sister, father, and mentor entirely differently, for example. She derisively mocks him, she is domestically violent and leaves bruises by throwing things at him.
Here’s a very typical excerpt:
‘I asked him to move and he stepped aside. He said sorry when my elbow knocked into him on the way past and I was filled with disdain for a man who was so kind, and obedient, and oblivious.’
I’m not sure how this book got rave reviews, many containing the words “fun” or “funny”, celebrating the narrator because she was - quote - “so real”. Let’s hope not, because I’m pretty sure if real life Martha was married to their loved one, they’d tell him to run. The fact she becomes self aware and remorseful in the final pages offers little consolation. The writing is full of talent, but it’s a miserable story.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Miscarriage
Minor: Domestic abuse
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The sort of book I kept going back to reread and highlight passages. Incredibly clever, painful, insightful, funny, and sad. The wit and sister relationship of Fleabag with the mental illness and relationship realness of You're the Worst. One of my top favorites of the past year.
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Captivating and devastating
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts