It’s not often when renowned writers share some tidbits of their seemingly elusive past in the form of writing—fiction mostly. Talk about love lost, struggles undertaken, and mistakes made are often broached. Every so often, these writers are also willing to share with the world their deepest, darkest nightmare – taking the form of depression.
Despite being a commonplace subject, very few people are willing to discuss this topic openly. Few still are willing to share their own struggles with depression. Yes, there are some commendable works of fiction (and some non-fiction) that does take the reader inside the whirlwind world of depression. The Beast being one of many, brought alive by the skilled wordsmith prowess and real-life insights of Tracy Thompson.
The Beast – A Reckoning with Depression
An ugly word, depression has many meanings. It can mean an area that is sunk from below, i.e. hollow; or the condition of being sad or despondent; or reduction-decrease. With so many negative connotations, it’s no wonder that 15 million adults in the U.S. experience some form or level of depression in their lives. Very few still address the underlying issues of this mental illness.
This is why this lovely and heartbreaking piece of non-fiction literature deserves to be mentioned, along with others of its ilk. The Beast details the authors, i.e. Thompson’s lifelong struggle with depression. First released in 1995, the book has been re-released recently and is widely available.
What Makes The Beast Worth Mentioning?
The book takes the reader for a ride, examining the exact point in childhood the author’s symptoms started to appear, to later on envelop her adult life. A work of non-fiction, the story is told in an engaging and compelling manner.
Taking the easy writing style of novels, The Beast makes the exception by adding REAL and useful tips that can help readers looking for help. Thompson further encroaches on the subject of ‘medication dependence’ and that no one should be prevented from getting the full medical attention that is needed. BUT emphasis is also laid on alleviating symptoms of depression through seeking professional help – counseling and therapy.
Connection between Thompson’s The Beast And Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar
Readers will be reminded of Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar, a well-written tale of depression in the 1960s. Both books offer refreshingly honest details about depression, its treatment and the experiences of sufferers at the time the book was written.
Although penned down over 20 years ago, The Beast – A Journey through Depression can still act as a useful motivation point and resource for sufferers of lifelong depression.
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