Beth's Review: Monkey Mind: A Memoir of Anxiety by Daniel Smith
Reviewer Purchase
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Released: July 3, 2012
Genre: Biographies & Memoirs
Length: 226 pages
Format: ebook , paperback, Hardback, Audiobook
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Synopsis
Daniel Smith’s Monkey Mind is the stunning articulation of what it is like to live with anxiety. As he travels through anxiety’s demonic layers, Smith defangs the disorder with great humor and evocatively expresses its self-destructive absurdities and painful internal coherence. Aaron Beck, the most influential doctor in modern psychotherapy, says that “Monkey Mind does for anxiety what William Styron’s Darkness Visible did for depression.” Neurologist and bestselling writer Oliver Sacks says, “I read Monkey Mind with admiration for its bravery and clarity….I broke out into explosive laughter again and again.” Here, finally, comes relief and recognition to all those who want someone to put what they feel, or what their loved ones feel, into words.
Five Boundless Stars
We are brought into the most personal aspects of Daniel Smith’s life, childhood to adulthood. From when he starts to feel anxious in everyday situations to when he finally learns of his diagnosis. Learning to live through his anxiety was a long and tough process, but he worked through it exceptionally. He educates his readers about all types and forms of anxiety; however, the book read nothing like a medical journal.
I felt it was brave of Smith to write the memoir, Monkey Mind, and I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of his writing; especially given this is his first book. I felt this was a great read and recommend this to anyone, whether you desire to learn about anxiety or just want to read a great story.
I give Monkey Mind five stars, I absolutely loved it!