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Flynn is a student at the Royal College of Music, along with his friend Harry and Jennah they became firm friends and even went backpacking through the holidays across Europe. However now Flynn is suffering and he doesn't know why. He is constantly blighted by dark thoughts and suffers from periods of enthusiasm and highs before dropping into deep depression. To everyone else it is clear that there is something wrong with him, but Flynn can't see it - and that's not the only thing that he can't see.
This book is incredibly well written and describes Flynns mood swings and ups and downs. This writer is not afraid to tackle a subject that affects many teenagers and adults, mental illness. This book through the story tries to show how the idea of having a mental illness need not be a stigma that it has become in society.
As I mentioned when reviewing the book "Secret Scars" recently one of my family has a mental health problem and as a relative it is hard to watch what happens. In this book the character is well supported but I know how the characters feel. I cannot get inside this persons head so I don't know how my relative really feels, but I can empathise with those in the support network.
Thankfully this book doesn't shy away from the disappointments and problems. It is an ongoing battle for the person who feels they are falling apart and the listeners, relations and carers.
I really got the impression of the characters, they come from the page in a 3 dimensional form and I could almost imagine the looks on their faces and the smile that is vividly described of Jennah. The gradual process of falling apart and rebuilding and the patterns and cycles are explored through this wonderful storytelling.
If you want something to make you think with great characters then I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Of course being set in university there is a bit of drinking involved and with Flynns breakdown there are some violent scenes, but there is nothing sexual other than a love interest, where it would have been so easy to try and shock the reader, instead this is a challenging novel. My only complaint is that it leaves unanswered questions and really could have done with finishing with a contact for an organisation in case you felt affected by any of the issues raised.
