Star pianist Flynn Laukonen has the world at his feet. He has moved in with his girlfriend Jennah and is already getting concert bookings for what promises to be a glittering career. Yet he knows he is skating on thin ice- only two small pills a day keep him from plunging back into the whirlpool of manic depression that once threatened to destroy him. Suddenly Flynn finds himself in hospital- carnage left behind him. The medication isn’t working anymore and depression strikes with horrific consequences- it seems like he will have to make a choice between the medication and his career. But there is one person he would give his life for, and he makes a great sacrifice

Review The story is set two and a half years after A Note of Madness and brings us up to date with Flynn, Jennah and their friend Harry. They are in their final year at Music College, and Flynn is making a name for himself. This story stands alone from the previous story- and although it is useful to have the background knowledge of the relationships, it isn’t essential.

Told from two points of view- Flynn and Jennah – the reader quickly becomes aware that something is not quite right, through contrasting Flynn’s perception with Jennah’s perception of the same incidents and behaviours. Flynn has manic depression, controlled by medication. His friends have learned to accommodate him when he has an episode, either of mania or depression. They know that his medication will be tweaked, therapy will be stepped up, and everyone waits for it to pass. Which it normally does – until now. Then follows the dilemma for Jennah of realising her life is balanced between being lover and carer or her career, while for Flynn it is a balance between being a musical genius with the swings of manic depression, or coping with the side effects of medication which dull his senses and ability to play, but allows him to live a normal life.

This is a very well written account of the dilemmas of manic depression, and the effects on friends and family, as well as addressing the stigma of mental illness. It describes the role taken on by his friends as his “carers” and the pressures it puts on their lives. How they question their loyalty to Flynn, and the decisions that they make about their lives as a consequence. Most importantly of all it shows the real dilemma of people with mental health problems, and decisions they have make about the affect of medication on their everyday functioning – something which can be very hard to grasp. It is useful for classroom discussion of the topics and is suitable for all ages from 12 upwards.

2009-01-11