OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Shunned: Outcasts in the Land" by Cynthia Hearne Darling.]

Devastated by the death of her son, which she attributes to antidepressants, Carrie Andrews embarks on a quest to find out what truly happened to her son and the dark side of America’s enthusiasm for happy pills. Simultaneously, her husband, Reverend Amos, feels he owes it to God to educate society on the realities of Hell. Both their crusades will shake the small New England town in which they live to its very core.

Shunned: Outcasts in the Land by Cynthia Hearne Darling is a fictional thriller very well planted in reality. Indeed, some antidepressants have been linked to an increase in violent behavior (Moore, Thomas J., et al. “Prescription Drugs Associated with Reports of Violence Towards Others.” PLoS ONE, edited by Joseph S. Ross, vol. 5, no. 12, 2010, p. e15337. Crossref, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0015337) and in suicidal ideation, especially in children and teenagers (Nischal, Anil, et al. “Suicide and Antidepressants: What Current Evidence Indicates.” PubMed Central (PMC), Mens Sana Monogr, Oct. 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC33 ... ort=reader). Considering that over 37 million Americans are using antidepressants, and their use is on the rise, we can see how even tiny statistics can be troubling.

Besides the very meaningful subject, the novel is also well-executed. The pace steadily increases its intensity, the characters are diverse and interesting, and the plot portrays in a relatable way multifaceted societal problems. What stood out to me is how well-developed is Allan, the owner of the pharmaceutical company, and how he evolves alongside the plot. It’s brilliant how the group that Carrie forms represent many of the facets of antidepressant usage: the hell of withdrawal, their overuse in veterans and the elderly, and the consequences of their use in teens. The author also conveyed other complex issues of society, such as the role of the media in our perceptions. I have to admit, I didn’t focus on the religious aspect of this book, but I like the idea of pairing up and contrasting two “truths” that make society uncomfortable: the downsides of antidepressants and the not-so-happy side of the Bible.

I have only a couple of complaints about this excellent book. First, the ending is not congruent with such a realistic depiction of human nature. I can’t say much without spoilers, but I can call it idealistic. Second, the insistence on the body weight of Nellie makes the character look cartoonish and ends up being offensive.

Shunned: Outcasts in the Land by Cynthia Hearne Darling is a meaningful novel with interesting characters that shows the many facets of how humans deal with uncomfortable truths. Unfortunately, the ending is unrealistic, and the book has over ten editing mistakes. That’s why I rate it 3 out of 4 stars.

Readers who are interested in psychology, or who have struggled with psych meds, could find their epiphany in Shunned: Outcasts in the Land, or at least a very enlightening reflection. People who enjoy realistic thrillers and small-town controversies will also love this book. I would also recommend this novel to Christian readers who want to dive into the subject of biblical Hell. It is not the best pick for atheists or people who dislike reading religious content. I would not recommend it, either, to readers who prefer fantasy, sci-fi, or romance. Readers who have suffered the loss of a child, especially recently, might want to proceed with caution.

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Shunned: Outcasts in the Land
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The subjects of mental health and violence, even self-inflicted, are not my cup of tea. However, it's fascinating looking at the other side of prescription drugs and their sometimes frightening side effects and I like that the book has a more realistic take and well-rounded characters. Thank you for the great review. Have a lovely day.

There is still a stigma attached to depression and the medication to treat it. This may be one of the reasons for this problem.

The mother is so devastated indeed, because loosing a grown-up man is kinda painful, instead of the children burying there parents now the parents are the ones to bury there children, it's very bad... She went on a quest I'm finding what Leads to the death of her son, but then the sin wouldn't be back anytime soon, so it's time wasted..

Theana D wrote: ↑20 Aug 2021, 07:10 The subjects of mental health and violence, even self-inflicted, are not my cup of tea. However, it's fascinating looking at the other side of prescription drugs and their sometimes frightening side effects and I like that the book has a more realistic take and well-rounded characters. Thank you for the great review. Have a lovely day.

I can understand that. I've witnessed those side effects myself, and it's terrifying. So, I'm glad there are books like this.
Have a lovely day too, and thank you for your interest in my review, @Theana D!

Ikenna Jesse wrote: ↑20 Aug 2021, 19:32 The mother is so devastated indeed, because loosing a grown-up man is kinda painful, instead of the children burying there parents now the parents are the ones to bury there children, it's very bad... She went on a quest I'm finding what Leads to the death of her son, but then the sin wouldn't be back anytime soon, so it's time wasted..

Of course. Grief is a terrible counselor. My mom lost my brother, I did too, but it was especially devastating for her because it's not the natural order of things.
Thank you for your insightful comment!

Amy Luman wrote: ↑20 Aug 2021, 07:21 There is still a stigma attached to depression and the medication to treat it. This may be one of the reasons for this problem.

I don't think there should be a stigma attached to any kind of mental struggle. I just know because I've been there, that some doctors are more than happy to prescribe meds without addressing the issue behind, and that pharmaceutical companies do not disclose all of the side effects of psych meds.
I appreciate your comment.

The author did a good job in making this story a realistic one. It's really alarming by the number of people that use antidepressants. Thanks for the educating review.

Muna Chizzy wrote: ↑30 Aug 2021, 02:04 The author did a good job in making this story a realistic one. It's really alarming by the number of people that use antidepressants. Thanks for the educating review.

It is alarming, and so are the side effects.
Thank you for your interest!

I have struggled with my diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features since 2006. I was placed in a mental institution for attempted suicide. The first medication they placed me on was Zoloft and Ceraquil. My blood pressure dropped to 55/33 from the Ceraquil. The next combination was Zoloft and Remeron. That caused my muscles to cramp so badly I couldn't walk. They gave me a shot of Cogentin and changed it to Zoloft and Zyprexa. I was released after 9 weeks. The Zyprexa caused massive weight gain as I was 115lbs at the start and two months later hit 150lbs. I stopped the Zyprexa on my own. The Zoloft stopped working a year later so I was then placed on Zoloft, Wellbutrin, and Trazadone. Zoloft and Wellbutrin don't mix well, they caused chest pains and a drop in my blood sugar. So then it was Wellbutrin and Trazadone. I felt like a zombie. The Wellbutrin woke me up, and Trazadone put me to sleep. 2012 I quit taking everything because I didn't like that I couldn't feel emotion. A 3-year-old that I knew drowned in the neighbor's pool and I didn't cry at his funeral. I felt horrible that I couldn't express emotion over a tragedy. I haven't taken anything since then, and to be honest, I think Medication is a temporary coverup and that mental health should really be dealt with alternative health options. I still have bouts with Depression, and the "Psychotic" features I can normally talk myself through. Reading is therapeutic for me, as well as horseback riding (Sadly, I need to find a horse since I don't have one since mine died after I bonded with him for 17 years.). I do not have any friends and no contact with my family, so I need to work on that too. This book could be helpful for many since it has research put into it too.
Great review, and I know I somewhat got carried away with what antidepressants did to me.