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More copies of this ISBNThis title in other editionsUnholy Ghost: Writers on Depressionby Nell Casey
Synopses & ReviewsPublisher Comments:Unholy Ghost is a unique collection of essays about depression that, in the spirit of William Styron's Darkness Visible, finds vivid expression for an elusive illness suffered by more than one in five Americans today. Unlike any other memoir of depression, however, Unholy Ghost includes many voices and depicts the most complete portrait of the illness. Lauren Slater eloquently describes her own perilous experience as a pregnant woman on antidepressant medication. Susanna Kaysen, writing for the first time about depression since Girl, Interrupted, criticizes herself and others for making too much of the illness. Larry McMurtry recounts the despair that descended after his quadruple bypass surgery. Meri Danquah describes the challenges of racism and depression. Ann Beattie sees melancholy as a consequence of her writing life. And Donald Hall lovingly remembers the "moody seesaw" of his relationship with his wife, Jane Kenyon. The collection also includes an illuminating series of companion pieces. Russell Banks's and Chase Twichell's essays represent husband-and-wife perspectives on depression; Rose Styron's contribution about her husband's struggle with melancholy is paired with an excerpt from William Styron's Darkness Visible; and the book's editor, Nell Casey, juxtaposes her own essay about seeing her sister through her depression with Maud Casey's account of this experience. These companion pieces portray the complicated bond — a constant grasp for mutual understanding forged by depressives and their family members. With an introduction by Kay Redfield Jamison, Unholy Ghost allows the bewildering experience of depression to be adequately and beautifully rendered. The twenty-two stories that make up this book will offer solace and enlightenment to all readers. Review:"These essays address depression with notable sanity and stylistic elegance, exploring the debilitating conditions that fall under the depression umbrella more strongly than any single memoir could." Entertainment Weekly Book News Annotation:Twenty-two authors share their thoughts about depressing, probing a
broad band of the illness. Lauren Slater writes on being pregnant and
anti-depressants. Meri Danquah on the merging of racism and
depression. Susanna Kaysen criticizes herself and other for making
too much of the illness. Anne Beattie shares why she believes
depression comes with the territory of being a writer. Donald Hall
remembers the moody seesaw of his relationship with his wife, poet
Jane Kenyon. Written for people dealing with depression, whether
their own or another's.
Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) About the AuthorNell Casey's work has appeared in Elle, Mirabella, Salon, and the New York Times Book Review. She is a 2000-2001 Carter Center mental health journalism fellow. She is also on the board of Stories of the Month, a nonprofit story-telling organization. She lives in New York City. What Our Readers Are SayingAdd a comment for a chance to win!Average customer rating based on 1 comment: 
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