Reasons To Stay Alive by Matt Haig
Publisher: Canongate Books (5 March 2015)
Pages: 272 Hardcover
ISBN: 9781782115083
Source: Purchased
Rating:
Book Synopsis:
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FEEL TRULY ALIVE?
Aged 24, Matt Haig's world caved in. He could see no way to go on living. This is the true story of how he came through crisis, triumphed over an illness that almost destroyed him and learned to live again.
A moving, funny and joyous exploration of how to live better, love better and feel more alive, Reasons to Stay Alive is more than a memoir. It is a book about making the most of your time on earth.
'I wrote this book because the oldest clichés remain the truest. Time heals. The bottom of the valley never provides the clearest view. The tunnel does have light at the end of it, even if we haven't been able to see it . . . Words, just sometimes, really can set you free.'
Aged 24, Matt Haig's world caved in. He could see no way to go on living. This is the true story of how he came through crisis, triumphed over an illness that almost destroyed him and learned to live again.
A moving, funny and joyous exploration of how to live better, love better and feel more alive, Reasons to Stay Alive is more than a memoir. It is a book about making the most of your time on earth.
'I wrote this book because the oldest clichés remain the truest. Time heals. The bottom of the valley never provides the clearest view. The tunnel does have light at the end of it, even if we haven't been able to see it . . . Words, just sometimes, really can set you free.'
My Thoughts:
It is important to mention that you do not need to have suffered a mental illness to benefit from reading 'Reasons To Stay Alive' by Matt Haig.
Enchanting, affirming, poignant and touching, but never self indulgent or 'depressing', 'Reasons To Stay Alive' is a memoir about the depressive episodes that plague Matt Haig's life. He describes the initial onset of the illness and the debilitating and frightening effect it had on him. He goes on to tell us how he eventually came to terms with the illness and his coping strategies for surviving episodes.
Mental illness, and in particular depression and anxiety, is extremely difficult to put into words, especially for the sufferer, however Matt Haig has eloquently articulated these emotions for us to understand.
As a bookseller, I've been asked on occasion which books I've read that have had a profound effect on me, or changed my life in some way. Well this is definitely one of them. I'd certainly recommend purchasing the hardback edition as its a lovely book that you'll definitely want to keep for future reference or inspiration.
This book should be made available on the NHS as I believe it could be of help to sufferers and to those supporting them. A great little self help book !
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