Trigger Warning: The mention of depression, suicide, and death in this article may be triggering to some readers. Please exercise personal care when reading.
Books that accurately depict depression can educate and reduce stigma. They also make those who are currently struggling with their mental health feel less alone. It can validate their conflicting feelings and foster a sense of belonging. The books listed in this article accurately depict the multi-faceted and complex mental health issue of depression. What this list of books highlights is that the experience of depression is not uniform but rather slightly different for everyone. And that’s okay.
When Reason Breaks by Cindy L. Rodriguez
Elizabeth and Emily are both struggling. You couldn’t exactly tell just by looking at them. They are both teenage girls doing whatever they need to survive school. Granted, one is a quiet nerd and the other an angry goth girl, but still. They are both struggling with depression in their own way. The one thing that connects them is their English class. When they are introduced to Emily Dickinson’s poetry, they find the words they have been looking for. The poetry provides a lifeline and a means of exploring their feelings.
This book is an accurate portrayal of what it means to struggle with depression. Through the characters of Elizabeth and Emily, Rodriguez illustrates the complexity of depression. While Elizabeth’s depression manifests as angry and destructive, Emily builds up a quiet facade.
Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
Darius struggles with his identity. Being half-American and half-Iranian, he doesn’t feel like he truly belongs in either world. To complicate matters even more, Darius has been diagnosed with clinical depression. So, his first trip to Iran will definitely not be a walk in the park. He only knows a few words in Farsi and is not looking forward to explaining his condition to his extended family. All this changes when Darius meets Sohrab. Their friendship and long talks help him understand his depression and feel more like himself than he ever has.
Khorram shines a light on the way depression can infiltrate every aspect of our lives. It is part of our identity and can affect everything we do. Darius’s diagnosis and subsequent prescription of medication are shown as a part of life. Depression is a constant, but a true and strong friendship can shine a little light through to make things more bearable.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Eleanor Oliphant has everything under control as long as she sticks to her meticulously detailed timetable that is. Structure is the thing that she appreciates the most. It helps her avoid people as much as humanly possible. But not everything is under our control. Eleanor learns this when she meets Raymond, and they save an elderly gentleman together. Slowly, her timetable begins to unravel, and she begins to realize that being around others might not be such a bad thing. And that maybe, just maybe, all three of them needed saving in one way or another.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine shows the isolation and loneliness that can come with depression. Eleanor finds it difficult to form meaningful relationships. Her avoidance and emotional numbness illustrate a raw and realistic portrayal of depression.
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
Theodore Finch and Violet Markey both think about death. While Finch is contemplating suicide, Violet is grieving her recently deceased sister. Their first encounter is on the ledge of a tower, and they bond over their struggles. Their friendship grows as they begin to share their thoughts and fears. They also explore the small, beautiful things in life and the reasons to keep on living. But while Violet is slowly healing from grief, Finch is slipping further into his depression.
Through the character of Finch, Niven shows the complexity of depression and suicidal thoughts. Finch masks his depression with a cheerful attitude, but the first-person point of view gives the reader an intimate glimpse into his inner conflict.
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
Having everything in life doesn’t automatically make you happy. The protagonist of this novel knows that all too well. A great apartment on the Upper East Side with a great job and a great degree. But none of this actually makes her happy. It might have something to do with her toxic boyfriend, her destructive friend, or the loss of her parents. Either way, she has had enough, and sleeping away from her troubles seems like the perfect solution. With the help of psychiatrists and a cocktail of pills, she goes into hibernation for a year.
Moshfegh’s depiction of depression is nuanced and realistic. It highlights the desire to withdraw from the world and does so by giving the reader an extreme example of such escapism. Becoming emotionally numb and self-destructive can be manifestations of depression.
Accurate representation of depression in literature is vital. Highlighting individual experiences of depression can support those struggling with their mental health. It can also help educate others about this mental health disorder, increasing their understanding and empathy. These books give us a nuanced and compassionate glimpse into the inner struggles of those suffering from depression. You are not alone.
Suicide and Mental Health
To feel safe at all times is a basic human right; let’s work to make this world physically and mentally safe for everyone.
If you or someone you know is battling with mental health-related distress, we urge you to be kind and hold space for them, and contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (confidential, free, available 24/7/365):
→ Call or text 988
→ Chat at 988lifeline.org
→ Connect with a trained crisis counselor
European RNCE +44 (0)141 331 4180 or www.rcne.com/
List of Hotlines in 46 Countries: https://wave-network.org/list-of-helplines-in-46-countries/
For more mental health recommendations, check out our Bookshop bookshelf here.
If you are struggling with your mental health and would like to find out how reading could help, click here.
