I just finished a book that made my head explode. That. Was. So. Good …
Sadness and bliss Meg Mason.
Assumption: When Martha was 17, a bomb exploded in her brain. For decades after that, she suffers from bouts of depression or anger that can hit her at any time. She knows something is wrong with her, but she doesn’t know what it is. Still, standing next to her are her hilarious sister Ingrid and adorable husband Patrick. Until he turns 40 and blows everything up.
Roman was promoted in Australia as “funny and touching for those who love Fleabag i Normal people”- has a similar funny, dark, honest sensibility that makes you cheer for your complicated characters.
Here are a few paragraphs so you can gain a feel. First, the bedtime routine with your wife:
Even when he put down the diary, he kept rubbing my back. Sometimes for the whole Newsnight, sometimes after turning off the light. It was then that I felt most loved.
One night, I rolled over in the dark and asked if there was any feeling in my thumb. I said, “How can you do that for so long?”
He said, “I hope it becomes sexual.”
I told him it was a shame. “I hope it turns into sleeping.”
Patrick said, “Let the godfather win.”
And a passage about her depression:
Patrick called, I cried on the phone. He said his plane was leaving in an hour, that he would be back so soon.
I asked him to stay on the phone and talk to me and I could only listen. I told him I was very scared.
“From what?”
“Yes.”
As someone struggling with mental illness (types of anxiety / depression), I found myself nodding my head to many insights. Sadness and bliss is now on my short list of favorite books (including Olive Kitteridge i American marriage). I would be really curious to hear what you think.
(I only grumble that the cover is misleading. It makes it easier, maybe less literary. But don’t let it distract you!)
PS We rounded up a lot our recommended books here!!
(Top photo by Marc Bordons / Stocksy.)
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