Shades of Light - Sharon Garlough Brown

Wren is a young woman struggling with mental health issues exacerbated by her work as a social worker.  When her depression and anxiety escalates to the point where she is hospitalised, she struggles to find a way forward, and finds chinks of light in art.  

When she is discharged, she can no longer pick up where she left off and has to make major changes to her life, but with the help of her friend Kit (whose own story comes to light more in Remember Me) she begins to make good progress. But then a troubled figure from her past reappears.

 

This is another book with strong writing and a story which draws you in.  Wren’s struggles are graphically described without overpowering the story.  I loved the way her family is portrayed too, with the effects of Wren’s mental health issues on them well outlined, especially in the case of her mother.  

 

The mentions of the Van Gogh paintings throughout are clever and make for extra interest, and there are some lovely artistic descriptions and symbolism.  This is not a light read, but it is one which picks up on some very difficult issues and explores them well, and I would particularly recommend it to anyone who knows or loves someone struggling with serious mental illness.