Scan barcode
ankita_g's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know if I am qualified enough to review this book because I can't completely relate to it. While I have been depressed for a while in the past and have felt the way Shaheen Bhatt has, my depression hadn't been a looming shadow in my life for years like it has been for her. The book reminded me of my own depression, and it made me feel sad, instead of hopeful (like it did for many others), because Shaheen has been consistently struggling with something that I can't even imagine going through again, for most of her life. It was a rather painful experience for me to read this book, and I was glad that it was short, much like a blog post. I don't think I could have continued with it if it were longer, no matter how much it tells you from time to time that 'it's/it'll be okay'. It also reads a little bit like a ghost story where depression is characterized as some sort of an invisible monster that is always around, but we don't get enough examples to understand how it practically affected/affects Shaheen's life.
Shaheen Bhatt is a gifted writer though. The book is extremely well written and actually helps you understand how it 'feels' like to live with depression.
Shaheen Bhatt is a gifted writer though. The book is extremely well written and actually helps you understand how it 'feels' like to live with depression.
swethamaryann's review against another edition
3.0
I would actually give the book 3.5 stars..
The book revolves around the author’s personal experiences on depression and how she came across it and how her family reacted, how she reacted and came in terms with it.
As the condition was not elaborated on more terms, it was an average read. And what irked me a bit was the extensive use of quotes from other books. Being a short book , with 66 pages or so, it had quite a collection of quotes strewn around.
I did not find it to be eye opening or one of the best reads on depression, but the effort put by the author to write on the her life’s experiences is commendable.
The book revolves around the author’s personal experiences on depression and how she came across it and how her family reacted, how she reacted and came in terms with it.
As the condition was not elaborated on more terms, it was an average read. And what irked me a bit was the extensive use of quotes from other books. Being a short book , with 66 pages or so, it had quite a collection of quotes strewn around.
I did not find it to be eye opening or one of the best reads on depression, but the effort put by the author to write on the her life’s experiences is commendable.
jason1234's review against another edition
5.0
Well written
Shaheen Bhatt writes about her experience with depression, giving insight into the daily turmoil of a person living with depression. Her language is almost poetic. Helped me understand a little more on this silent epidemic.
Shaheen Bhatt writes about her experience with depression, giving insight into the daily turmoil of a person living with depression. Her language is almost poetic. Helped me understand a little more on this silent epidemic.
theyalife's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
thethrilleraddict's review against another edition
5.0
'When you're depressed, time stops.' 'Depression is lying immobile on the ground for hours.' 'Depression is greif.'
somecatcherintherye's review against another edition
5.0
"I’m silent but the screaming won’t stop, I’m calm but the restlessness goes on, I’m smiling but my frown won’t fade, I’m laughing but the tears don’t die away, I’m living but that won’t stop death from coming my way."
It's a very concise and yet the most authentic way I can say that describes a person's feelings of coping with depression, accepting it and then taking the steps to recovery. I enjoyed reading this book and it doesn't bore you. Sometimes the descriptions are almost poetic. Don't get me wrong I don't mean to say depression is romantic or it's meant to be embellished. As poetry is itself the spontaneous overflow of powerful emotions here the writer has done only that. I don't think there is any other way that you can understand depression. The flow of the book is controlled. It doesn't let you get carried away but reminds you of the phase you have been through if you have.
I don't usually mark a book as a must read but this is genuinely the book every person especially of this generation should consider reading regardless of whether or not one has been in depression at any point in their lives. Read it to understand your loved ones. I am sure you will gain perspective and will try to change your ways of helping and loving people.
‘And why should you fit into the parameters of some made-up definition of normalcy?’ he continued, as my brow furrowed in thought. ‘You’re exhausted because you’re always pretending to be something you’re not. You’re constantly trying to reach this non-existent, ideal state of emotional well-being. It’s not real. You’re being set up to fail.’ ‘So then what do I do?’ I asked miserably. ‘Take off the mask. You aren’t happy? Fine, you aren’t happy. One day you will be. And then you’ll be sad again. Accept that and stop wasting your energy chasing something that doesn’t exist. You can’t spend your life feeling bad about feeling bad.’
It's a very concise and yet the most authentic way I can say that describes a person's feelings of coping with depression, accepting it and then taking the steps to recovery. I enjoyed reading this book and it doesn't bore you. Sometimes the descriptions are almost poetic. Don't get me wrong I don't mean to say depression is romantic or it's meant to be embellished. As poetry is itself the spontaneous overflow of powerful emotions here the writer has done only that. I don't think there is any other way that you can understand depression. The flow of the book is controlled. It doesn't let you get carried away but reminds you of the phase you have been through if you have.
I don't usually mark a book as a must read but this is genuinely the book every person especially of this generation should consider reading regardless of whether or not one has been in depression at any point in their lives. Read it to understand your loved ones. I am sure you will gain perspective and will try to change your ways of helping and loving people.
‘And why should you fit into the parameters of some made-up definition of normalcy?’ he continued, as my brow furrowed in thought. ‘You’re exhausted because you’re always pretending to be something you’re not. You’re constantly trying to reach this non-existent, ideal state of emotional well-being. It’s not real. You’re being set up to fail.’ ‘So then what do I do?’ I asked miserably. ‘Take off the mask. You aren’t happy? Fine, you aren’t happy. One day you will be. And then you’ll be sad again. Accept that and stop wasting your energy chasing something that doesn’t exist. You can’t spend your life feeling bad about feeling bad.’
ritikamittal's review against another edition
5.0
The most beautiful thing about this novel is that how authentic and raw it is. Like the writer never Sugar coats any of her facts or experiences and shares her experience in the most genuine and honest way.