Not the "Great Depression," as in the stock market crash of 1929. But well written memoir type books by people who've suffered from severe depression. Right now, I'm enjoying Prozac Nation by Elizabeth Wurtzel. She's really a very good writer. Other good ones include Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kayson and The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. None of these come from a Christian perspective but they are very enlightening and insightful reads nonetheless.
Here is an intriguing quote from Prozac Nation:Homesickness is just a state of mind for me. I'm always missing someone or someplace or something; I'm always trying to get back to some imaginary somewhere. My life has been one long longing.
Wow! She's on to something. Life without God is an emptiness that cannot be filled with anything the world has to offer. And we have access to God and receive fullness in Jesus Christ, the Crucified.
It makes me think of that prayer from St. Augustine: Our hearts are restless, O Lord, until they rest in Thee.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Great Books on Depression
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
That quote on homesickness reminds me of something my pastor once said about nostalgia, or the "good old days". Since the memories of bad times generally fade with time, we are left with the good memories. The good old days weren't necessarily good, but that's how we remember them. In a way, nostalgia is a lie because our mind has left the bad memories behind. I think that some homesickness could be the same thing as nostalgia, although I don't that is what the author meant. I was afraid to venture much away from home many times in my life and I think that kept me from good experiences.
Here are 2 others for you. They are more about pastors and their struggles with their jobs and depression.
http://thecubiclereverend.blogspot.com/2005/08/honest-ministry.html
written by a friend of a friend in Philly.
and Henri Nouwen, "Genessee Diary"
Post a Comment