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All Down Darkness Wide

A Memoir
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( 2,466 ratings, 463 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
All Down Darkness Wide by Seán Hewitt is a poignant memoir that delves into themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. The book follows Hewitt’s journey as he navigates the complexities of his relationship, especially in the face of his partner’s mental health struggles. Through evocative prose, Hewitt explores the intersections of personal and collective grief, ultimately seeking hope and understanding.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$3500
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might like this book if you enjoy deeply personal memoirs that explore themes of love, mental health, and identity. The prose is poetic and reflective, offering an intimate look into the author's own experiences and emotions.

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All Down Darkness Wide

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

All Down Darkness Wide is a luminous and haunting memoir by Seán Hewitt, an acclaimed poet whose work has garnered numerous accolades. This mesmerizing narrative explores the depths of love, heartbreak, and queer identity, all through the lens of Hewitt's intensely personal experiences.

The story begins with Seán meeting Elias, sparking a passionate and all-encompassing love affair. However, their romance soon faces an agonising challenge as Elias battles severe depression. This crisis forces both men to confront their vulnerabilities and the fragility of their relationship.

In response to these struggles, Seán embarks on a profound journey into his own past, weaving in the stories of historic queer figures and poets who have also faced darkness. His exploration takes readers from a gothic nineteenth-century cemetery in Liverpool to the serene pine forests of Gothenburg, creating a vivid backdrop that enhances the emotional depth of the memoir.

All Down Darkness Wide is not just a story of personal turmoil; it is a courageous examination of the broader challenges faced by the queer community. Hewitt's eloquent prose and unflinching honesty offer a powerful commentary on how society's attitudes toward queer happiness and life often create profound internal and external conflicts.

This memoir is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the healing power of introspection and connection. By bravely confronting his own pain and the ghosts of those who have walked the path before him, Seán Hewitt shows that even in the darkest times, there is the possibility of renewal and hope.

All Down Darkness Wide is a deeply moving and eloquently written work that will resonate with anyone who has faced the complexities of love and identity. It is a fearless exploration that offers both solace and inspiration, making it an essential read for those seeking to understand the intricate tapestry of queer life and trauma.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

All Down Darkness Wide is highly praised as a significant addition to Irish queer literature, commended for its profound meditation on love, heartbreak, and sorrow. Critics have lauded it as a beautifully written memoir, showcasing Seán Hewitt's exceptional talent and original prose.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529114478

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 31 August 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 16.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 200g

Pages: 240

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About the Author

Sean Hewitt was born in 1990. He is the author of the poetry collection Tongues of Fire, which received the Laurel Prize and was shortlisted for many awards, including the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award. His memoir, All Down Darkness Wide, was shortlisted for Biography of the Year at the An Post Irish Book Awards and for the Foyles Non-Fiction Book of the Year, and longlisted for the RSL Ondaatje Prize and the Polari Book Prize. Hewitt lectures at Trinity College Dublin, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. In 2022, he was awarded the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature.

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