Initial thoughts: This is a book that takes an honest look at mental illness and portrays the complexities of diagnosis and recovery. More concerned with the realities of someone who suffers from depression than weaving an exciting story, The Memory of Light is marked with introspection from the first to the last page. The writing style is beautiful, the characters' anguish palpable and the setting crafted to show readers who don't know much about mental illness what to look out for. At the same time, I think it's a book that someone who has a personal history of mental illness or knows soon who does will be able to relate to and will perhaps even find reasons for hope in.
