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One Friday in April

A Story of Suicide and Survival
3.78 goodreads logo

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( 1,028 ratings, 140 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
One Friday in April by Donald Antrim is a poignant memoir delving into the author's personal struggles with mental health and his battle against suicidal depression. Through a raw narrative, Antrim seeks to demystify the stigma surrounding mental illness, offering a deeply insightful and empathetic perspective. The book provides both a personal account and a broader commentary on the challenges faced by those fighting invisible battles, all framed within a historical and military context.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2999
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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?

This book may appeal to you if you are interested in exploring a deeply personal reflection on mental health, especially concerning the challenges of depression. Written with an acute sense of empathy and insight, it provides an intimate look into the author's experiences, offering both a poignant memoir and a broader commentary on mental illness within society.

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One of TIME's 100 Must-Read Books of 2021

One of BuzzFeed's Best Books of 2021

One of Vulture's Best Books of 2021

Named one of the Most Anticipated of Books of 2021 by the Los Angeles Times, Literary Hub

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

As the sun lowered in the sky one Friday afternoon in April 2006, acclaimed author Donald Antrim found himself on the roof of his Brooklyn apartment building, afraid for his life. In this moving memoir, Antrim vividly recounts what led him to the roof and what happened after he came back down: two hospitalisations, weeks of fruitless clinical trials, the terror of submitting to ECT—and the saving call from David Foster Wallace that convinced him to try it—as well as years of fitful recovery and setback.

Through a clear and haunting reckoning with the author's own story, One Friday in April confronts the limits of our understanding of suicide. Donald Antrim's personal insights reframe suicide—whether in thought or in action—as an illness in its own right, a unique consequence of trauma and personal isolation, rather than the choice of a depressed person.

A necessary companion to William Styron's classic Darkness Visible, this profound, insightful work sheds light on the tragedy and mystery of suicide, offering solace that may save lives.

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?

One Friday in April by Donald Antrim receives praise for its unflinching exploration of mental illness and suicide, combining memoir with philosophical reflections. Reviewers highlight its engrossing narrative that intertwines personal experiences with wider societal issues, aiming to destigmatise mental health struggles. The book's vivid prose conveys the complexity and anguish of these experiences while also offering hope and insight into often misunderstood subjects.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781324050407

Publisher: WW Norton & Co

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 25 April 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: WW Norton & Co

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 10.0mm

Width: 142.0mm

Height: 211.0mm

Weight: 120g

Pages: 144

About the Author

Donald Antrim is the author of three novels, including Elect Mr. Robinson for a Better World, and one previous memoir, The Afterlife. He has received fellowships from the MacArthur Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, among others. He lives in Brooklyn, NY.

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