A review by joanaprneves
Essayism by Brian Dillon

challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

If you are looking for a linear and perhaps historical account of the essay do not pick this up. On the contrary, this is a personal and elliptical account, musing upon this literary form that goes in and out of fashion regularly, and which seems to conform to the author’s battle with depression. Indeed, behind the account, and the laudatory prose about the essay lies the dark abyss of mental illness. When I finished reading it, it made me think of the author’s praise of essays focusing on a little instance of thought, or a small pile of things as a trick of the mind for those in pain. You focus on an object or a song when the dentist’s pricks your gum with a needle, injecting the dreaded albeit useful anesthesia. 
I cannot praise the writing enough. It is precise but devoid of jargon, sensitive without indulgence, autobiographical and yet generous. 
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