Shades of Light: A Novel

Sharon Brown has done it again. I loved the Sensible Shoes series. Now, in Shades of Light, she brilliantly brings the topic of mental illness to the forefront in a fiction book with realistic concepts. I immediately connected with the main characters and was involved throughout the book. She accurately describes the main character, Wren’s, depressive periods and anxiety attacks. It was interesting how she brought in spiritual formation, mental illness, art from Vincent Van Gogh, and even cameo appearances by characters from the Sensible Shoes series. Some characters in Shades of Light took a stance, telling Wren simplistic ways to get rid of mental illness. She was told by some to pray it away, do better at spiritual warfare, or read the Bible more. Many who suffer are made to feel shame or embarrassment because of their lack of faith to rid themselves of the trials. The book flows along so seamlessly and naturally. It is enjoyable to read even though the topic is heavy and important. I am going through it a second time and underlining interesting points and things I want to remember. The accompanying study guide would steer group discussions and book clubs. Many in the church today are just beginning to be more aware and empathetic about the facts of mental illness, and learning to understand and not be judgmental. I highly recommend this book. Sharon brings us before our heavenly Father, who knows, loves, and walks with us through all of life’s trials, and holds us in the palm of His hand.

Hope. A four letter word that can transform a life. Hope shines through this book through sorrow, struggles, and suffering. Anxiety, depression, mental illness surround us in life. How do we respond? How do we deal with it if it one of us? Sharon Garlough Brown beautifully illustrates ways we can respond. Wren discovers in many of Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings his view of compassion. Art has such healing effects. After all, God illustrated in word pictures. God uses images to reach us in many ways, such as “rivers of life.” Visio divina was a new term for me. “It’s about how art opens us to prayerful contemplation as we notice details that stir us, something that comforts or agitates us.” If you look closely you can see movement and emotion in pieces of art. How comforting it is to discover Jesus as the Man of Sorrows. He is acquainted with grief and we can lean on Him for understanding and healing. He can take our suffering and anguish and make it well. Protestants are not usually comfortable with focusing on Jesus “on” the cross but prefer to picture the cross empty, all the focus on the resurrection. But He was on the cross and if we allow ourselves to enter that story it can have profound impact on us. As Brown so well articulated, it is choosing a sorrow that hopes rather than a sorrow that despairs. May we be able to enter in such a solidarity and understanding with compassion. God came for the despised, the rejected, the anguished, the abandoned. Let us learn to enter into and spend time on the journey to the cross so we can better walk alongside those who feel little or no hope.

I think so highly of ALL of Sharon's books. Her Sensible Shoes series was absolutely brilliant and was fun to revisit some of those characters in this book. I also greatly respect her courage in approaching this subject matter, which is, by its very nature, dark. The book is very well written and shows the depth and nuances of everyone involved in mental health issues. Having said that, I want to point out that while it may be a very validating read for someone who struggles so greatly, especially in the church, with mental health issues, it may NOT be wise to read this if you are in somewhat of a valley right now. I do not have mental health issues, but I've been in a dark valley for the last year and because of the author, I was looking forward to reading this novel, not really knowing the gravity of it. The novel is dark because the main character struggles with depression, but I was not in a place myself to read a dark story. And though the author does a great job of bringing hope and truth to the story also and there are some BRILLIANT one-liners here, it was still just way too heavy for the place I'm in right now. I would have liked to have read this when my life was more normal for I'm sure I would have enjoyed it far more.

The book reminded me that there is darkness, sorrow & tragedy in this life, but there is also hope in the midst of all that is not yet made right.

The compassionate manifest their human solidarity by crying out with those who suffer. Henri Nouwen In Shades of Light Sharon Garlough Brown invites us to be companions in suffering with those who suffer. We are introduced to Wren, a young social worker who suffers from anxiety and depression. We see how her suffering impacts, not only her own life, but the lives of friends, family and those who choose to walk beside her in her suffering. Wren is also an artist who identifies strongly with Vincent Van Gogh. Through her love of Van Gogh we also learn more about his life, suffering and works. In the early chapters of the book, we see Wren’s heightened anxiety as she experiences life in a psychiatric hospital to which she has admitted herself. For me, this section was particularly difficult to read as I recalled my paternal grandmother, whom I never knew, had lived nearly three decades in a mental hospital. I had to stop and grieve for her. That alone changed my view of my grandmother and all those who must deal with anxiety and chronic depression. Through Wren’s Aunt Kit, her counselor Dawn and her pastor Hannah we see new ways to walk beside our loved ones who have anxiety and depression as constant companions. (We met these characters in Sharon’s Sensible Shoes series). Sharon skillfully and sensitively deals with a subject that is often hidden and not discussed, especially by people of faith. Sometimes praying enough, reading the Bible enough and trusting God enough is really not enough. Although the subject matter is difficult and Wren’s journey is difficult, the book ends hopefully.

An incredible read! This book has helped me learn how to better understand and react to mental illness behaviours and complexities regardless of it being a fiction story. Sharon Garlough Brown is a special author who finds a way to speak to the heart and make you stop and truly think. It’s an amazing gift. I am normally a fast reader, but I took my time with this book. There were parts that I re-read or just needed to think about for awhile. The characters were so real and I found myself intensely relating to Jamie, the mother of Wren. I admired how art was woven into this story and opened my eyes to different ways of praying and sharing. I never knew much about Vincent’s work or his letters to Theo. At the end of the book, she “picked up her brush to pray.” How beautiful. I respect that the book didn’t wrap up the story like a cute little gift with a ribbon on top. Life can be messy. Mental illness is not simple. This book reminds us that Jesus experienced human emotions and can walk us through every valley, as well as every mountain top. Those who deal with mental illness directly, as a caregiver, or as a loved one can be so encouraged by that. Honestly, I feel it is a must-read for so many reasons. I read the first two in Garlough’s Sensible Shoes series and was profoundly impacted. I will be reading the other two as well. I greatly anticipate her next book, Remember Me. She will always be a favourite author of mine.

What a story! Easy to identify myself with the mother and also with the daughter. Insightful reflective writing leaves me with a message of hope.

This novel by Sharon Garlough Brown is the fifth I’ve read - the first four from the ‘Sensible Shoes’ series. I was privileged to be able to read this book before it was published, and my expectations were not diminished. Although a few of the characters from the ‘Sensible Shoes’ series were part of this novel, a young woman Wren and her aunt Kit, together with Wren’s mother Jamie were the main characters. Wren struggles with her mental health in depression and panic attacks - something that the world now seems to be taking notice of and learning to help others who suffer. Her aunt Kit has experienced this in past years, but as a spiritual director she has learned to deal with her mental health and also to help others through the Word of God and prayer. This wasn’t an easy book to read, but it was very important to be able to learn more about mental health and the way people suffer with this in many different ways. Sharon Garlough Brown writes sensitively and with a passion for people and for the help God gives. I recommend this book to everyone who is either suffering and knows someone who is suffering from mental health problems. This is an excellent book.

The story was true to life, very loving. I missed some more practical ideas on how relatives and friends can do their best in dealing with loved ones who suffer from depression. For me, the passages about van Gogh's paintings and letters are a bit lengthy. And not everyone has access to such wonderful support.

A great writer. Love all her books. A great read. Recommend to everyone of faith or none it’s so uplifting and real.