Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
*spoiler*-For a non fiction book this was really easy to read. It reads like fiction basically and it's so well researched,you can tell it took work and time. My favourite part of it was the account of the different experiences of the different people from all over the world,they were eye-opening and heart wrenching. And the author's experiences made it much more authentic because it wasn't an academic text or anything where the author is usually an outsider looking in. Which is refreshing. And last but not least it was beautifully written.
I have depression, and I think this book is terrible for people like me.
Part memoir, part compilation of scientific research on mental health (with several blurred lines in-between), The Noonday Demon holds itself out to be a comprehensive meditation on depression. But since the writer, Andrew Solomon, is so content to pare down any real analysis of depression to drawn-out laundry lists, here's mine: this book is pompous, irresponsible, triggering, and more than anything else, fucking boring.
Perhaps Solomon's biggest problem as a writer is that he repeatedly makes foolish and irresponsible attempts to balance the science of depression with his personal journey. The problem with this is that he is not able to disentangle what's presented as fact from his own musings. I can only assume that much of the insight proffered is steeped in his depressive mind state, but the truth of the matter is that he has a bad habit of presenting potentially dangerous opinions as fact.
Part of the appeal of fictional depictions of depression is that the reader comes into its pages knowing that they are reading the author's own experiences with staring into the infinite dark. But Solomon is devastatingly self-important. He repeatedly fails to delineate where the facts end and where experience begins; to him, his personal opinions are every bit as legitimate as those of the researchers, scientists, and psychologists he interviews.
With the way in which the book begins with beautiful descriptions of how depression is a fruitless task without the use of metaphor and poetry, it is disappointing that Solomon contradicts this spirit by diving headfirst into the medicinal. This is my biggest problem with the book, and it is, admittedly, a deeply personal one. Solomon operates under the assumption that medication is largely the only way to control depressive symptoms; though other ways and means are described, it always comes back to taking your drugs. And maybe he's right, but as someone who's still working his way through therapy and healing from within, I'm not prepared to accept medication as my savior.
As much as Solomon offers platitudes about how each person's situation is different, the book turns in a rigid assessment of depression because of this medicinal perspective. I find it unfortunate that the book is so well-celebrated because I can't help but wonder about the chilling effect it could have on its readers. Depending on where one is on their journey, one could be left feeling trapped. I know that's how it made me feel.
Part memoir, part compilation of scientific research on mental health (with several blurred lines in-between), The Noonday Demon holds itself out to be a comprehensive meditation on depression. But since the writer, Andrew Solomon, is so content to pare down any real analysis of depression to drawn-out laundry lists, here's mine: this book is pompous, irresponsible, triggering, and more than anything else, fucking boring.
Perhaps Solomon's biggest problem as a writer is that he repeatedly makes foolish and irresponsible attempts to balance the science of depression with his personal journey. The problem with this is that he is not able to disentangle what's presented as fact from his own musings. I can only assume that much of the insight proffered is steeped in his depressive mind state, but the truth of the matter is that he has a bad habit of presenting potentially dangerous opinions as fact.
Part of the appeal of fictional depictions of depression is that the reader comes into its pages knowing that they are reading the author's own experiences with staring into the infinite dark. But Solomon is devastatingly self-important. He repeatedly fails to delineate where the facts end and where experience begins; to him, his personal opinions are every bit as legitimate as those of the researchers, scientists, and psychologists he interviews.
With the way in which the book begins with beautiful descriptions of how depression is a fruitless task without the use of metaphor and poetry, it is disappointing that Solomon contradicts this spirit by diving headfirst into the medicinal. This is my biggest problem with the book, and it is, admittedly, a deeply personal one. Solomon operates under the assumption that medication is largely the only way to control depressive symptoms; though other ways and means are described, it always comes back to taking your drugs. And maybe he's right, but as someone who's still working his way through therapy and healing from within, I'm not prepared to accept medication as my savior.
As much as Solomon offers platitudes about how each person's situation is different, the book turns in a rigid assessment of depression because of this medicinal perspective. I find it unfortunate that the book is so well-celebrated because I can't help but wonder about the chilling effect it could have on its readers. Depending on where one is on their journey, one could be left feeling trapped. I know that's how it made me feel.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Harrowing, but really invaluable--both super-specific and broad look at depression. I was going to lament the fact that it felt a little dated, but I see there is a 2015 edition; I was reading a 2001 version, I think.
I’ve recently com to terms with the fact that I have depression - and have had it for a long time. Because of that discovery, I’ve felt driven to read as much information on the topic as I can, especially memoirs.
“The Noonday Demon” came to my attention during one of these searches for information. Little did I know it was exactly what I was looking for - the perfect mix of memoir and information about depression.
For the first few chapters, the book unfolds Andrew’s own history of and his struggle with depression. He holds nothing back and shares with you the bitter realities of what depression can do to a person.
The topical chapters bring together Andrew’s journey and introduce you to the many different stories he discovered while writing this book. The two most touching examples for me involved Phaly Nuon and the stories shared in the chapter on Poverty. Phaly Nuon’s story stood out to me most vividly. The trauma she experienced would be soul-crushing for anyone. Her ability to not only survive, but thrive astounded me. I was incredibly moved by her story (it begins in the first chapter, roughly page 34).
I discovered a lot I didn’t know about antidepressants and other treatments. I was raised to believe that depression was a lack of strength. I thought medication was a result of our “easy out” society. I’m grateful for the other perspectives this book gave me. It has helped open my mind about all depression treatments and has altered my opinions on antidepressant use.
All the chapters fascinated me, except one - History. For some reason, I was not intrigued at all by the information in that chapter. It is a very large book, so skipping that chapter will likely not diminish your overall experience.
All in all, I am so glad I picked up this book. I learned a ton of new information about depression. It definitely makes you wonder how different society would be if we took this illness seriously. How much more productive and satisfied could we as individuals be? If only the necessary resources were allocated and helping people cope with depression was a top priority. I think the lives of people on all ends of the socioeconomic spectrum could be improved.
Depression is a complex illness. Its symptoms are varied and each individual’s experience with it is wholly unique. I’m grateful for the things I’ve learned from my own struggles with it and also for Andrew’s exhaustive work on the subject. It’s a fascinating book and I highly recommend it.
“The Noonday Demon” came to my attention during one of these searches for information. Little did I know it was exactly what I was looking for - the perfect mix of memoir and information about depression.
For the first few chapters, the book unfolds Andrew’s own history of and his struggle with depression. He holds nothing back and shares with you the bitter realities of what depression can do to a person.
The topical chapters bring together Andrew’s journey and introduce you to the many different stories he discovered while writing this book. The two most touching examples for me involved Phaly Nuon and the stories shared in the chapter on Poverty. Phaly Nuon’s story stood out to me most vividly. The trauma she experienced would be soul-crushing for anyone. Her ability to not only survive, but thrive astounded me. I was incredibly moved by her story (it begins in the first chapter, roughly page 34).
I discovered a lot I didn’t know about antidepressants and other treatments. I was raised to believe that depression was a lack of strength. I thought medication was a result of our “easy out” society. I’m grateful for the other perspectives this book gave me. It has helped open my mind about all depression treatments and has altered my opinions on antidepressant use.
All the chapters fascinated me, except one - History. For some reason, I was not intrigued at all by the information in that chapter. It is a very large book, so skipping that chapter will likely not diminish your overall experience.
All in all, I am so glad I picked up this book. I learned a ton of new information about depression. It definitely makes you wonder how different society would be if we took this illness seriously. How much more productive and satisfied could we as individuals be? If only the necessary resources were allocated and helping people cope with depression was a top priority. I think the lives of people on all ends of the socioeconomic spectrum could be improved.
Depression is a complex illness. Its symptoms are varied and each individual’s experience with it is wholly unique. I’m grateful for the things I’ve learned from my own struggles with it and also for Andrew’s exhaustive work on the subject. It’s a fascinating book and I highly recommend it.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
So long. So heavy.
Nonfiction November.
I'm glad it's done.
Nonfiction November.
I'm glad it's done.