Sorrow and Bliss - Meg Mason

Here's a book that's been on a lot of people's radar lately, and I can see why so many have loved it! Sorrow and Bliss follows the main character Martha, who has always felt that there is something wrong with her. The story begins at her fortieth birthday party, where she has just been publicly rude to her husband Patrick for his affectionate birthday speech.

Before they were married, it had been a rocky road for Martha. After the breakdown of her first marriage, she makes it clear to Patrick that if they're to be together, he must understand that she does not want to have children. Ever. Patrick accepts this, and the pair are happy for a while. Some years later, the couple are fighting daily. Neither of them is sure why, though Martha believes Patrick resents her for her unwillingness to have children. She feels wrong - fuzzy, forgetful, angry. Patrick insists that she's fine, and our protagonist continues to spiral into self-hatred and denial.

This novel is a beautiful and moving portrait of mental illness from the perspective of someone who does not understand or recognise it. After years of being brushed off by doctors, or sent straight to counselling before knowing the cause, Martha is at breaking point, and her narration of her state of mind is extremely moving. At some points during the novel, I felt so moved that I had to take a break from reading. I love that a book can be so powerful to viscerally affect you, however I'd add a word of warning to anyone sensitive to mental health issues as it's quite a sorrowful read in parts. As well as being blissful, as the title suggests, in others!