Status
Available
Call number
Description
Bestselling novelist Amanda Prowse knew how to resolve a fictional family crisis. But then her son came to her with a real one... Josiah was nineteen with the world at his feet when things changed. Without warning, the new university student's mental health deteriorated to the point that he planned his own death. His mother, bestselling author Amanda Prowse, found herself grappling for ways to help him, with no clear sense of where that could be found. This is the book they wish had been there for them during those dark times. Josiah's situation is not unusual: the statistics on student mental health are terrifying. And he was not the only one suffering; his family was also hijacked by his illness, watching him struggle and fearing the day he might succeed in taking his life. In this book, Josiah and Amanda hope to give a voice to those who suffer, and to show them that help can be found. It is Josiah's raw, at times bleak, sometimes humorous, but always honest account of what it is like to live with depression. It is Amanda's heart-rending account of her pain at watching him suffer, speaking from the heart about a mother's love for her child. For anyone with depression and anyone who loves someone with depression, Amanda and Josiah have a clear message--you are not alone, and there is hope.… (more)
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Publication
Little A (2020), 286 pages
User reviews
LibraryThing member PhilipJHunt
The brilliance of this book lies in the idea of its two-author structure. At heart, it’s a book about depression. It is occasionally depressing, and at times deeply moving. But, because it reveals depressive illness from the point of view of the boy with the condition as well as the family,
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especially the mother, we explore all the ways depression can be experienced. And it’s revealing in all the best ways. Highly recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member CoverLoverBookReview
I've never read a book like this. I occasionally read memoirs and non-fiction books, experiencing a peek into someone else's life and love from a distance. This one gives a different experience. It's raw. It's real. And it reaches the core.
Depression is a sad and all-encompassing foe. I know a
The turmoil and darkness family members go through when a loved one suffers from this mental illness is evident in this book. They frantically and tirelessly search for a way to lift their loved one from contemplating death.
I encourage anyone who suffers with depression, or knows or loves someone who does, to read this book. It contains helpful resources that could literally be life-changing.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishe
Depression is a sad and all-encompassing foe. I know a
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couple people that have mild depression, but the kind that Amanda and Josh reveal is so deep. With alternating POVs, mother and son express their stories in their own words and emotions, giving a well-rounded, deeply moving experience.The turmoil and darkness family members go through when a loved one suffers from this mental illness is evident in this book. They frantically and tirelessly search for a way to lift their loved one from contemplating death.
I encourage anyone who suffers with depression, or knows or loves someone who does, to read this book. It contains helpful resources that could literally be life-changing.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishe
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LibraryThing member LAWonder10
The Boy Between is a well-written non fiction which addresses one boy's/man's fight with depression.
While discussing the earliest symptoms, I can relate to the mother and to the son. As I young girl, I suffered with severe depression brought on by various factors. I can relate o the feeling of
I feel those of us who are sensitive to the feelings of others and are hurt when betrayed or ridiculed, are the prime candidates for depression.
Unlike Josh, my firm belief f Life Eternal, is what kept me from taking my own life, many times. I feel bad for those who do not have the same deep belief in God and that this earth-life is but a tiny part in forever.
The mother had a very happy childhood in a large family. I tend to feel there is less inclination toward suicide with children in a close, large family situation. However, I do feel the causes of depression vary as much as there are individuals with this issue.
With this book, the authors' goals are to make the public aware of early signs of depression. The book addresses, the need of compassion and not judging. Also, the drugs for depression is another controversial subject. Like Josh mentioned, the drugs can make one sleepy, "spacey" and is a temptation when one is feeling low. Also, the authors emphasized the need of more help and awareness with this illness.
Although, Amanda's writing was interesting, along with her insights, I was mostly impressed with Josh's words. He was very poetic is the description of past feelings. the reader could feel the impact of his words. It was very interesting in reading about their relationship and challenges throughout years. They conclude with helpful tips.
I was gifted this book with no pressure for a positive review. This is my honest review.
While discussing the earliest symptoms, I can relate to the mother and to the son. As I young girl, I suffered with severe depression brought on by various factors. I can relate o the feeling of
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hopelessness and no self-worth. However, unlike Josh, my escape was reading and reading came very easy to me. I too felt intimidated, and shy, in groups of more than two or three.I feel those of us who are sensitive to the feelings of others and are hurt when betrayed or ridiculed, are the prime candidates for depression.
Unlike Josh, my firm belief f Life Eternal, is what kept me from taking my own life, many times. I feel bad for those who do not have the same deep belief in God and that this earth-life is but a tiny part in forever.
The mother had a very happy childhood in a large family. I tend to feel there is less inclination toward suicide with children in a close, large family situation. However, I do feel the causes of depression vary as much as there are individuals with this issue.
With this book, the authors' goals are to make the public aware of early signs of depression. The book addresses, the need of compassion and not judging. Also, the drugs for depression is another controversial subject. Like Josh mentioned, the drugs can make one sleepy, "spacey" and is a temptation when one is feeling low. Also, the authors emphasized the need of more help and awareness with this illness.
Although, Amanda's writing was interesting, along with her insights, I was mostly impressed with Josh's words. He was very poetic is the description of past feelings. the reader could feel the impact of his words. It was very interesting in reading about their relationship and challenges throughout years. They conclude with helpful tips.
I was gifted this book with no pressure for a positive review. This is my honest review.
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LibraryThing member LilyRoseShadowlyn
The Boy Between is powerful, emotional, and most importantly, real. Josh (aka Josiah) and Amanda definitely have distinct voices in this - and that's a good thing. You get to see the story from both sides - the parent who only wants the best for their kid, and the kid who is struggling at times.
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Both sides are full of emotion, and the tale they tell together resonates with truth more than one of us has faced. A must-read for anyone who might be struggling or knows someone who is struggling. Show Less
LibraryThing member angeljmartin
This was such a touching book; I did have to put it down a few times because it was an emotional read, but otherwise it was a fairly quick read. I liked that the book focused on both Amanda's feelings and Josh's, but it was equal; Amanda didn't overpower Josh, and vice versa.
As someone who's
This was difficult to read at times, I won't lie. As I said, there were certain parts that I had to put the book down. This is one of those books that I'll likely never forget. It was touching to see his family being so supportive of him when I'm sure they were lost. I wish the best to Josh and the rest of his family.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book via iRead Book Tours. This did not influence my opinion in any way.
As someone who's
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suffered with depression, it was really nice to read a book by someone who felt like me. Most books I've read about this topic were written by people who lost a loved one to the illness, rather than people who have also had it. Though our experiences were different, in a lot of ways it was similar. I've rarely found an account of the illness that sounds so similar to my own.This was difficult to read at times, I won't lie. As I said, there were certain parts that I had to put the book down. This is one of those books that I'll likely never forget. It was touching to see his family being so supportive of him when I'm sure they were lost. I wish the best to Josh and the rest of his family.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book via iRead Book Tours. This did not influence my opinion in any way.
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LibraryThing member Steven1958
A first hand account of a young man's fight with an insidious monster: depression!
Co-written by Josiah Hartley, and his mum Amanda Prowse, this gut-wrenching true story is for everyone whether you're suffering personally with depression, or you are caring for a family member or friend who is
A beautiful and extremely moving tale.
Co-written by Josiah Hartley, and his mum Amanda Prowse, this gut-wrenching true story is for everyone whether you're suffering personally with depression, or you are caring for a family member or friend who is
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suffering. As is pointed out in story time and again, we tend to shy away from discussing it, even though we're now in 2023!!! It still is the bloody big elephant in room.A beautiful and extremely moving tale.
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Original language
English
Physical description
286 p.; 7.8 inches
ISBN
1542022282 / 9781542022286