£14.00
100 in stock
By Sue Holt
ISBN: 978-0-954221-89-8
Published: 2003
Pages: 112
Key Themes: manic depression, bi-polar disorder, Christianity, poetry, recovery
Description
Manic depressive and Christian Sue Holt, warms and inspires us with her brilliant collection of poems. Her dark and uplifting poetry is full of sentiment, strength, faith and vitality. The themes dealt with are tough, funerals, families, abuse, love, pity and bewilderment. Christianity gives her the faith to bounce back and rejoin life. Although it must be said that the writing process itself seems to have waved a magic wand for us, the reader as well. Pain has a lot to say, and Sue says it eloquently. She shows that abuse can cause mental distress, and she articulates her dismay that the mental health system is adding to that suffering, not taking it away. Poetry takes it away.
About the Author
Sue Holt was born in Liverpool in 1967 and is now living in Rochdale. Shortly after the birth of her son, illness forced her to leave her job as a social worker. She was diagnosed with manic depression and has since been hospitalised on numerous occasions. In order to overcome her illness Sue developed her creative abilities, and started expressing herself through writing and sculpture. Now, having had her first collection of poems published, she is an effective campaigner fighting the stigma that surrounds mental illness. She has helped set up a group for fellow mental health survivors called Freedom which provides support and training.
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Delta Thompson (verified owner) –
Sue Holt’s portrayal of Jesus Christ is courageous to say the least. Sue admits to feeling no repentance to not describing Jesus’ love through reverent verses in ” Poems of Survival”. Sue describes her encounters with God through “snot and tears”, and makes no apology for the offence this may cause others, for Sue this was the reality surrounding her conversion to knowing the living God.
Sue knows that Jesus was with her in situations, which many may shy away from. To her Jesus is not the “untouchable” God often portrayed; He is her rock and deserves to be acknowledged through her painful choice of words. Sue knows you may find her reality uncomfortable, but her greatest wish is that you will discover the reality of God’s love shining through her honesty.
Brian May (verified owner) –
Sue Holt’s book gathers dozens of vibrant poems. She has that gift which only great writers possess, that makes you very concerned about what she’s talking about, in this case, mental illness. A very emotional journey…
Nicky Luck (verified owner) –
Holt submerges her life experiences of manic depression within her deeply moving and inspirational poetry. Her language is dark and grabbing and she is a highly skilled poet at evoking pathos. This is my favorite book of poetry and I recommend it to anyone.
Fiona Whelpton (verified owner) –
Sue Holt’s poetry is truly inspirational. She shows how faith can overcome great difficulties, and that no matter what, survival is possible. Everyone will find strength in her poems.