“Up from the Blue” by Susan Henderson
HarperCollins Publishers, September 2010

Today, every quirky behavior is placed somewhere on a psychological spectrum. “Up from the Blue” takes the reader back to a time when odd behavior was called just that – odd. Mental illness was not out in the public forum, and families kept shameful secrets rather than seek help.

This is the story of Mara, a depressed mother, Roy, a rigid father, Phil, the stoic son, and eight year old Tillie, dealing with colliding worlds. The novel is thought-provoking and draws the reader in to an uncomfortable family situation. Today there is little stigma attached to the use of anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds, but a few decades ago medications were few and far between. Open discussion about mental illness and the drugs which might combat them was non-existent. The challenges Roy faces as a military man with a mentally unstable wife are frustrating and maddening. Tillie’s need for stability and unconditional love is heartbreaking. We watch her struggle alone as her mother’s disintegration creates distance between the members of the family, each dealing with Mara’s depression in his or her own way.

The novel is a fascinating look back at mental illness as it was perceived a few decades ago. It also views children with behavioral issues but without the labels of current times. Had the story taken place in today’s society Mara would go on an anti-depressant and Tillie would be taking Ritalin. I spent much of the novel wondering what diagnosis would be given to the 8 year old girl in the book. Simultaneously, I chided myself because that's today's thinking – children weren’t given psychological labels then as they are now. Kids were who they were – peculiar, hyper, loners, creative.

This is a compelling novel on many levels. The author is able to invoke strong emotions in the reader as one is dismayed at how situations are poorly handled. The story moves along, and keeps the reader involved and interested through the struggles of each of the characters. As well, it may make one stop and think of how far our society has come in dealing with mental illness, while perhaps pushing too far for perfectly behaved youth.