Review of Depression Without God

[SweetSourSalty AndSpicy]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Depression Without God" by A Marie Guidry.]

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3 out of 5 stars

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Ella and Joseph fell in love at first sight. Although the family of Joseph is opposed to Ella, the couple marries. The young couple is optimistic about their future together, but they quickly discover that marriage is not as simple as it appears. They need stable jobs, a house, and a car to settle down. Raising a growing family is a far more challenging task. The kids came over the years. It was a struggle to support the family. It was difficult for Ella to keep a stable job. Managing the household and earning a living were mentally and emotionally hard for her. On top of their household difficulties, they have to deal with in-law drama. Then, after returning home from summer break, their adolescent daughter, Tabitha, began acting strangely. How can a family deal with all of these complexities?

Depression Without God is a story on faith, mental health, and the complexity of family life written by A Marie Guidry. The story follows the challenges and struggles of a young family as it grows over the years. The story shows various events that impact family members emotionally and mentally. Parents worry about providing for the family and keeping their children safe. Children are hesitant to follow their aspirations if their parents are financially struggling. Teens are concerned about peer acceptance. Likewise, the nuclear family must deal with the dysfunctions of in-laws. These examples demonstrate to young readers that families confront several problems and difficulties. They do not need to be embarrassed or fear rejection to discuss these issues honestly with trusted individuals. It encourages young people to communicate about them so that they can receive the necessary support to address these situations. It was my favorite part of the book. The characters also have imperfections that make them authentic and relatable. When mistreated by in-laws, a wife may take action. A child could play pranks on a cruel classmate. The lessons they learn from their deeds help shape their characters throughout the story.

The story illustrates the role of faith in the journey of a growing family. Christians may find it more relatable, but it is still appropriate for other religious groups. The story is neither preachy nor promotes any organized religion.

As much as I liked the many illustrations of the complexities of family life, there were aspects that I disliked. The examples need more cohesiveness. The scenarios should demonstrate more of how they connect to and contribute to the emotional and mental states of the characters. It mentions some incidents and then forgets them. It is reasonable to limit the length of the story to maintain the attention span of young readers. However, some extra pages highlighting the connection and how these events build up to create an impact on the characters would make it more emotionally engaging.

Another drawback of the book is the editing. As the story proceeds, the mistakes become more frequent and numerous. Editing and proofreading appear to have been hurried midway through the book. As a book intended for a young readership, the editing should be tight to provide an example in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Another round of editing and proofreading will be beneficial.

Young readers will like the simple vocabulary and conversational language. One incidence of borderline profanity is barely noticeable. Intimate moments are merely implied and typically entail gentle kissing. The contents are inoffensive to any religious group. There are references to sexual assault and suicide, so sensitive readers should use caution. For these reasons, the book is appropriate for readers aged thirteen and up, with the guidance of adults to clarify delicate issues. It will appeal to both young and adult audiences who enjoy family stories.

The book is notable for reaching out to young readers to draw attention to family issues and their effects on emotional and mental health. The various situations in the book provide opportunities for discussion. I am dropping one star for more cohesive scenes and another for the editing issues. As a result, I give it three out of five stars.

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Depression Without God
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[James Williams Uzo]

If you'd love to learn about family issues and their effects on emotional and mental health, this book is for you. Great review.