Bestselling novelist Amanda Prowse knew how to solve a fictional family crisis. But then her son came to her with a real one…
Josiah was nineteen with the world at his feet when things changed. Without warning, the new university student’s mental health deteriorated to the point that he planned his own death. His mother, bestselling author Amanda Prowse, found herself grappling for ways to help him, with no clear sense of where that could be found. This is the book they wish had been there for them when during those dark times.
Josiah’s situation is not unusual: the statistics on student mental health are terrifying. And he was not the only one suffering; his family was also hijacked by his illness, watching him struggle and fearing the day he might succeed in taking his life.
In this book, Josiah and Amanda hope to give a voice to those who suffer, and to show them that help can be found. It is Josiah’s raw, at times bleak, sometimes humorous, but always honest account of what it is like to live with depression. It is Amanda’s heart-rending account of her pain at watching him suffer, speaking from the heart about a mother’s love for her child.
For anyone with depression and anyone who loves someone with depression, Amanda and Josiah have a clear message – you are not alone, and there is hope.
The Boy Between by Josiah Hartley and Amanda Prowse is an incredibly eye-opening, deep and intensely emotional true story. Alternating between Josiah’s and Amanda’s narrative, readers are gifted to not one but two viewpoints as Josiah’s world darkens. Delving deep into the subjects of suicide and depression, this may hit hard for some readers out there who may have experienced the same things. It’s a very raw and open account, one I found to be powerful and superbly thought-provoking, one which certainly brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. It’s not only the subject matter I found striking, but the fascinating alternation between mother and son was hypnotising, and honestly, possibly the most memorable way to feel your way through Josiah’s experiences.
As mentioned previously, The Boy Between is an eye-opening account of depression, one which allowed me to view depression for what it really is. An illness, that of which is of no fault of the person it chooses to attack. This book highlights the importance of knowing that there is no divide between the people who will and will not suffer from depression. We are reminded of the rich and famous who struggle with depression, and are given the opportunity to understand that no one is set apart when it comes to this mental illness. Josiah writes openly and honestly, and doesn’t hold back, which I believe is very important when it comes to topics such as these, allowing readers the clearest view possible. It means that, although we’re not actually living it ourselves, we get as close to that as we possibly can. It’s impossible not to be moved by Josiah’s words. I found it hard, too, reading of Amanda’s struggle as she battled to try and help her son, with absolutely no idea of how to do so, or even where to start. Watching the different aspects of this wonderful, solid family be stretched to its very limits was a very powerful indicator of just how destructive depression can be, in the most silent and subtle of ways.
What’s also discussed in this book are the utterly terrifying statistics to come from numerous universities in regards to the rate of student suicides. I had no idea the numbers were so high, and it’s frightening to think that that could be your brother, your sisters, or in Amanda’s case, your son. Reading of such fear and sadness enforced me to want to check up on my family and friends, those who I may not have spoken to or seen in a while, especially with all that is going on in the world right now, and with all of the restrictions that remain in place. It’s scary to think that someone can be suffering so damn much, yet appear perfectly calm and well put-together on the outside. It’s certainly true what they say; depression is a silent killer.
Since finished this book, I’ve thought often about Josiah and his family. I’ve wondered about what he’s up to now, and where he’s at in life. It is touched upon in the book about how there is no cure for depression, and how it never really leaves you, but there is happiness to be found. I hope Josiah is living his best life. I hope happiness is closer to his reach these days. And as for Amanda, the same goes again, to speak with her and see her, you’d not think she’d lived through such troubled times. But we all have our pasts, our rough days and hardships. I guess it is how we carry these things, too.
All in all, this book truly touched my heart. I can only say how much respect I have for both authors, because it can’t have been easy re-living some of the moments detailed in the book. It takes courage to be so open about depression, and I can only say thank you to Josiah Hartley for talking about his experiences so openly and honestly, because I feel that doing so is only ever encouraging someone else to do the same. The stigma surrounding mental illness needs to be smashed, and people talking out loud is certainly making marks in doing so. So thank you, Josiah Hartley, and thank you Amanda Prowse. I’m certain that The Boy Between will help someone, somewhere, to realise that they, too, are not alone, and help is always available.
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