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# Reviews for A Note of Madness
Adults often want teenagers' lives to be straightforward and protected. The trouble with life is that it's frequently neither of those. And one trouble with life for many teenagers is the prevalence of clinical depression. Indeed, levels of adolescent depression match adult levels, and any teenager in a developed country is almost certain to have a friend affected by it. When we want to understand, nothing beats a good story, and Tabitha Suzuma's A Note of Madness joins the list of good stories about depression. It's a confident debut, with much that's original, in well-controlled and unselfconscious prose. It uses none of the shock tactics of my favourite comparable stories, Robert Cormier's I Am the Cheese, Rachel Klein's The Moth Diaries or John Marsden's So Much to Tell You. Yet its straightforwardness and stylistic restraint make it equally strong. Remarkably, it's not even particularly sad, yet it is very real. Flynn is a star pianist at the Royal College of Music. Mental illness strikes during preparation for a special concert. His horror at watching himself lose control is palpable. Yet this is also a book about growing up. One of the most telling lines comes when Flynn thinks back a year: "Was I really there? he wondered. Could that have been the same me?" Teenagers change greatly in a year, and the speed of change is often disorienting. Regret for lost childhood can hurt. But Flynn is also very ill. Although the story unfolds through Flynn's eyes only, the voice is third person; this provides a slight, but useful, clinical distance from his inner confusion, as we see his "madness" partly through other people's reactions. "Rami shot her a warning look with a brief, barely perceptible shake of the head" reveals his brother's thoughts, while Flynn's lack of reaction is symptomatic itself. The cleverest trick is that somehow that most unreliable of narrative voices, the mentally ill patient, becomes a supremely reliable one. Thus the reader knows much more than Flynn, even though we are seeing through Flynn's eyes. If this book weren't so compassionate, it would be a case study, and it is indeed a clear exposition of manic depression, or bipolar illness. We even learn the specific name, bipolar two, as well as some of the drugs that treat it and the risks of taking lithium. In other hands such information could be clod-hopping, but here it feeds our fascination and feels right. It would have been easy to provide an obvious cause from Flynn's childhood - cruel/cold parents, loss of a sibling, abandonment - but there is none. Flynn has kind though helpless parents, a compassionate and knowledgeable older brother, good friends, a stable background. The message is clear: depression can affect anyone. Flynn's ups and downs are told in detail. When he is high, pumped full of energy, we fear for him; when he plunges into lethargy, we want to drag him from bed, feed him, care for him. When he says, "Here's to never wanting to get out of bed again", we feel hopeless. But when his brother replies, "Here's to getting reacquainted with your feelings. Here's to being able to want, without being sure you're going to get. To risk being hurt and to risk being rejected. Here's to life," suddenly we understand something important. A Note of Madness is much more than a book about depression: it's about brilliance, fear, love and living. That is its achievement, and what makes it a hearteningly good read.
Hackwriters This book needs to come with a health warning. It is so well written, that we almost become Flynn, the young music student. We almost go down into the dark spaces with him as his mental illness takes hold. Because of the age of the main protagonists, the novel will certainly appeal to young people who are in the middle of the hurly-burly of becoming adult...Suzuma accurately portrays for us Flynn’s torture. We really are sitting on his shoulder as he has sudden busts of energy which make him stay up all night, jogging through the streets of London, composing operas and revising for exams. We too want to veg out in front of the TV or keep our heads down under the duvet when the depression kicks in. As his disease takes a stronger grip, he senses the futility of life, contemplates taking his, and makes us look more closely at our own. The author has managed to capture the perspective of a young person suffering from Bipolar 2, better known as manic depression, in a much the same way as Haddon found the voice of the Asperger’s syndrome / savant in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.
It is encouraging to see Young Adult Literature in the UK tackling some deep issues. This novel delightfully extends the range of what is available for young adults adding to an already rich mixture of chicklet-lit, gritty-but-everyday realism and fantasy. It really pushes the boundaries further than even the work of Blackman and Burgess and comes close to what is being produced in other parts of Europe. For me, this book was a real page-turner. I wanted to carry on reading – to find out if Flynn managed to come to terms with his illness, whether he ever managed to perform the Rach Three in concert, and, of course, whether he managed to get the girl... I can thoroughly recommend this book. I long to read another one equally as absorbing and fascinating. I hope Tabitha Suzuma will come up with the goods.
© Gill James, Hackwriters.com
Tabitha Suzuma has used the wonderfully rich character of Flynn to tell a moving account of young people and the effect of mental illness on their lives. Flynn has bipolar disorder, which is only diagnosed during the story. As his life starts to unravel we are at first not sure why the talented pianist, who is a student at the Royal Academy of Music in London, is behaving in such an erratic way. Life is busy for Flynn anyway; he lives with a flatmate in London and has a busy schedule of lectures and practice with exams looming. His Professor wants him to play at the Royal Albert Hall to represent the Academy but this adds yet another pressure to a young man who will soon be at breaking point. The third person narration gives the reader a broad perspective of all the elements of Flynn's life; from his friendships, his family relationships, his passion for music (which almost becomes his undoing) and his reflections on how difficult emotional development can be for many young people as they venture out into the adult world and form their own personal relationships. We see the full effects of bipolar disorder from the early signs: the refusal to accept the possibility of mental illness and the first attempts on medication only to give up because of the side effects; nothing is spared. Tabitha Suzuma ensures that the reader develops empathy as the story progresses. All who read this story will come away with a deeper understanding of mental illness; it will help us regard it with the same compassion as we would a physical illness. As the book touches on some very sensitive issues, including Flynn considering taking his own life, it is best suited to older adolescents. © Claire Russell, Wangaratta High School, Australia - CMIS
Flynn’s at university, studying performance piano. He’s got a great group of friends; he’s in a good university, doing well in his courses and flats with his best friend. Everything’s going just fine for Flynn, so how come all of a sudden, things are falling apart? Wow, I really enjoyed this book, way more than I expected to! I mean, the idea of reading a book when the main character is falling apart seems like a really depressing thing to do. But actually, it wasn’t. It was fascinating to read about what was happening to Flynn, and what was going on in his head at the same time. Even though I’ve never felt as extreme as that, I could actually relate to some of what was going on for Flynn. It sort of put some things in perspective for me too. And I even was in to the story so much that at one point, in response to the story I was actually saying out loud “No Flynn, no!” Do you have to be crazy to get this book? No, not at all. But if you’ve ever found things getting on top of you, or you know someone who finds things too tough sometimes, then you’ll be able to relate to parts of this story. Does it have a sad ending? No, it has a real ending, one where Flynn finally works out what it’s all about, and with the help of others, recognizes some changes he needs to make in his attitude to life. And when he does, the world stops being so difficult to live in… © S. McGivern, King's College, New Zealand
© Leicestershire County Council
Flynn is a student at the Royal College of Music, along with his friend Harry and Jennah they became firm friends and even went backpacking through the holidays across Europe. However now Flynn is suffering and he doesn't know why. He is constantly blighted by dark thoughts and suffers from periods of enthusiasm and highs before dropping into deep depression. To everyone else it is clear that there is something wrong with him, but Flynn can't see it - and that's not the only thing that he can't see. This book is incredibly well written and describes Flynn's mood swings and ups and downs. This writer is not afraid to tackle a subject that affects many teenagers and adults: mental illness. This book, through the story, tries to show how the idea of having a mental illness need not be a stigma that it has become in society. Thankfully this book doesn't shy away from the disappointments and problems. It is an ongoing battle for the person who feels they are falling apart and the listeners, relations and carers. I really got the impression of the characters: they come from the page in a three-dimensional form and I could almost imagine the looks on their faces and the smile that is vividly described of Jennah. The gradual process of falling apart and rebuilding and the patterns and cycles are explored through this wonderful storytelling. If you want something to make you think with great characters, then I cannot recommend this book highly enough... © Rob Allwright, Soteria Magazine 
Reviews for From Where I Stand 
The Bookbag Raven is a deeply unhappy teenager. Fresh from a children's home, where he has been since he witnessed the death of his mother, Raven is taciturn, sullen, isolated. His new foster family, the Russells, are earnest, hopeful and kindly people, but they are up against the blank brick wall of Raven's alienation. They try their best, but they fear that reaching Raven and forming any real connection with him is going to be an uphill struggle. At his new school, the usual bullies make Raven's life the usual misery. He retreats to his room as often as he can. And once there, he finds his penknife and cuts his arms. This pain, heartbreakingly, is the only thing that makes the other pain even close to bearable. And then Raven makes a friend. Together with Lotte, he sets out to put an end to his pain. If Raven can track down his mother's killer and expose him, he believes he'll be able to start his life again. If only it were that easy. At one point, I had to put down From Where I Started because my eyes were full of tears. Much as I wanted to read on, the blurred page wouldn't let me. Suzuma put me right inside Raven's head - so busy with fear and hurt and confusion on the inside and so stony and impassive on the outside. I finished the book, far too late for my 42-year-old, have-to-be-up-to-make-breakfast bedtime, and crawled into bed with an indelible picture of the grief-paralysed, alienated Raven imprinted on my mind. As a portrait of a damaged adolescent struggling with his mental health, I found it sensitive, powerful and heartrending. As a psychological thriller, it was perhaps slightly less successful - if the mystery is really what you're after. There are lots of clues and I'd guessed the truth behind Raven's mother's death fairly early on in the book. I'm notoriously slow at that kind of thing, so I don't think many youngsters over twelve would be far behind me. But I don't think it really matters either way. What matters is the clear-sighted patience in which Suzuma explains and unravels the mystery with honesty and care and gentle kindness, but without ever losing the pace and tension in the plotting. I thought the whole book was a remarkable achievement, and there are a whole bunch of adult writers in this popular psychological thriller market who could learn a lesson or two from it. There is an understanding of both character and crisis here that you don't find often. Highly recommended for all sophisticated readers over twelve who enjoy contemporary settings, a realistic emotional landscape and strong, thrilling plotlines.
The Birmingham Post
Books for Keeps This book is a psychological thriller. It is very readable, mostly on account of its emotional poignancy, which grabs the reader's attention. The story ends with a twist that few readers will have foreseen. Suzuma enables a reader to understand the difficulties of the traumatised Raven, without making it comfortable to be in his presence. Ella, the five-year-old daughter of his foster parents, sometimes penetrates his loneliness with her childish innocence. Suzuma manages convincingly to introduce the reader into Raven's lonely world... Ultimately this is a book about guilt and redemption, as well as a deeply compelling read. © Books for Keeps
 Tabitha Suzuma's second novel is a stunner. Raven is a deeply disturbed teenager in foster care. As the story progresses the reader finds out more of what has his distress, but at first only through Raven's eyes. It has amazing portrayal of character: Raven, his foster parents and foster sister, the school bullies and Lotte who befriends him are all wonderfully drawn, and the climax of the book is beautifully written. Revealing too much plot would give away necessary tension, but this is a wonderful teenage read. It reminds me slightly of David Almond's books in that although it doesn't shy away from blackness, it is ultimately life-affirming. © Malcolm McEwan
Achuka Tabitha Suzuma has the rare skill to breathe such life and motivation into her characters that they burn bright and indelibly upon the brain. In “From Where I Stand”, Raven is suffering severe trauma that drives a wedge between himself and others. His resultant vulnerability leads to his being taunted at school. Raven’s grief, despair and guilt moves through stages as the novel progresses. He denies the reality of what has happened, weaving around himself a protective film of lies and half-truths. Though the stigma of mental health problems are encountered through the levels of misunderstanding and of miscomprehension that surround Raven, the mind is depicted here as resilient, strong and in a process of renewal and of resolution. Suzuma’s willingness to draw from a reservoir of biographical experience to colour her characters with credibility makes this a courageous novel and, in an age when one in four people experience mental health problems throughout their lives, a highly worthwhile and contemporaneous one also. © Achuka
From Where I Stand is a riveting read on two levels: as an edgy psychological thriller and also as an exploration of the depths of despair that an outsider suffering from mental health problems can suffer. Raven, deeply disturbed after seeing his mother die, has been placed in foster care with the Russells. Withdrawn and unable to communicate, he finds it difficult to connect with the family and resorts to cutting himself with a penknife to take away the pain inside his head. At school he is cruelly bullied by two of his classmates. However, Lotte, bored with her girlfriends, befriends him and together they decide to trap his mother's killer. Suzuma's exciting plot carries the reader along as Raven and Lotte skip school and plan dangerous ways of trying to make their suspected murderer confess to the murder of Raven's mother. At the same time the author tackles some really big issues like depression, bullying and suicide. A visit to the author's website gives insights into why she tackles such gritty and painful subjects. The bullying scenes leave the reader gasping with sympathy for Raven and what he endures. Suzuma sensitively portrays Raven's withdrawal into himself and his spiralling descent into depression. The caring nature of Dan, his foster father, and the exuberance of Ella, the five-year-old daughter of his foster parents, counterbalance this. This is a stunning novel with a major twist to the story. What is so clever is the author's ability to keep her reader gasping with the thrill of chasing a killer, while getting inside the head of a grief-stricken teenager. It is highly recommended for teens who like their thrillers moving and thought-provoking. © Pat Pledger, CMIS
After the success of her first book "A Note Of Madness", Tabitha Suzuma's second book is the poignant story of a teenager struggling to cope with his grief. Raven is a teenager that anyone could identify with; a stony exterior masks the inner turmoil he suffers every day following his mother's murder. Placed into foster care, his new family and new school only make things worse until a friend comes along in the unexpected shape of Lotte and together they hatch a plan to confront his mother's killer. Only things aren't as simple as they seem. This is a story that draws you in compulsively from the first chapter, plot twists are hinted at but it ultimately keeps you guessing right up to the last page. You grow to really care for Raven as he struggles to find solace and an end to the sense of loss that he carries around with him. Good psychological thrillers are few and far between for the teenage market and this has to be one of the best. Major issues such as bullying, grief and truth are handled sensitively and without judgment. A totally absorbing read and worthy follow up to her first book.
Waterstone’s Stockport Mersey Raven is a deeply disturbed teenager. After witnessing his mother's death and having no father, Raven is put into foster care. The Russells, his new family, are very nice but as time goes on they find it very hard to earn Raven's trust and cope with his extraordinary ways. From the author of the acclaimed ‘A Note of Madness’, which dealt with the torments of depression, it comes as little surprise that ‘From Where I Stand’ is not only poignant but wholly captivating. With a tone and style of narrative which instantly draws the reader in, Tabitha Suzauma introduces a physiological thriller with sensitive appeal. Troubled teenager Raven finds himself in yet another children’s home with seemingly only the torture of his past for company. Both bullied and neglected by his fellow pupils in his new school, Raven continually seeks solace whilst a new family and a new acquaintance desperately try and relieve Raven of his solitary anguish. Subtle yet significant ‘From Where I Stand’ is a well-crafted story of ones descent and rise through despair. This is one of the few books I have read in my life that left me a bit "shell-shocked" - I was so caught up with the pain that Raven was going through after his mother's death, living in care, and then moving to a foster home. The writing is extremely powerful and I certainly felt that I was there with Raven - and like him couldn't see what was coming next! I loved Tabitha Suzuma's first book, "A Note of Madness" and this book is equally as good, if not better. For anyone who likes a gripping personal read then this is the book for you - read it and I am sure that you won't be disappointed. If you rate value for money books as hours spent reading per great British then maybe you should start with the Wheel of Time series! If on the other hand you want a book that will invade your every waking moment and make its voice heard about your family, teachers and colleagues then 'From Where I Stand' is for you! Anyway, must go. I've still got a few pages to go...
From Where I Stand is a brilliant book. I enjoyed every page. You know some people, after going through something really difficult they create a story which acts like a cushion, so they don’t have to remember the events? Well, this book is about a young boy, Raven, 14, who lost his mother and is out to seek vengeance. Ever seen film Memento? Well, its a bit like that, except there is no memory loss. Raven lives in a foster home, however he really doesn’t connect with his foster parents, because he doesn’t want to. In school he is bullied, but also makes a friend in the form of Lotte, with whom he hatches a plan on how to get vengeance on the murderer of his mother. However, all is not as it seems. Towards the end the author, Tabitha Suzuma, twists the plot around and reveals the real truth behind Raven’s actions...The book is great and I highly recommend it.
The Battle For The MindThis is the second book that I have read from the talented Tabitha Suzuma. These books, aimed at a young adult market, both seem to deal with young people with some mental difficulties. In this book it is a lad called Raven who is trying to deal with the events surrounding his mum's death.The novel starts as Raven is being taken to a new foster home. From the moment he gets there he doesn't really feel as though he fits in. He has basically withdrawn into himself and prefers to spend his time in his room away from his new foster parents and their annoying little daughter. However it is the young girl that seems to make the breakthrough and help Raven begin to feel as though he is wanted. While the narrative itself is easy to read and the plot flows along quite nicely, this is no light reading. In fact some of the elements that it deals with are not easy to read about. One issue of this book is self-harm and cutting, and this is a serious issue that needs to be addressed through practical help books and through fiction. In light of some of the darker issues of the book it would have been good if the publishers had thought to put some helplines or helpful addresses at the back of the book... This book surprises right to the end and there are some incredibly powerful descriptive pieces. At times I could really empathise with the character. At one point where Raven freezes at the top of a high slide in an adventure playground I could really imagine that so clearly because I do not like heights! The description of the surroundings is not the important part of this story, they are good but incidental. However the description of what is going on in the mind is lucid, clear and very real. This is a book that may shock and surprise, especially with some twists, but it will definitely give any teen or adult something to think about. © Rob Allwright, Soteria Magazine Reviews for A Voice in the Distance
Well, I think Aidan Chambers has finally been knocked off his spot. For the last six years, his Postcards from No-man’s Land has been my all-time favourite book. Admittedly, this was followed quite closely by Tabitha Suzuma’s A Note of Madness. But now A Voice in the Distance seems to outshine them both. A Voice in the Distance is the sequel to A Note of Madness, including the same characters and continuing the story of Flynn who keeps his Bipolar disorder at bay with two small pills a day… which seem to stop working early in this novel. He is a brilliant musician and is set for a glittering career as a concert pianist. He truly loves his Jennah, a childhood friend and now his lover, who is also a talented flautist and singer. He has the support of another good friend, Harry, also a student at the Royal College of Music. Suzuma has written this so that you don’t need to have read A Note of Madness first to understand it. I am sure, however, that you wouldn’t quite have the same emotional engagement with the characters if you hadn’t read the first novel. You may not love them quite enough. Nevertheless, our closeness to both Flynn and Jennah is maintained through two very convincing first person narratives, where Suzuma has truly found the voice of her characters. This is a Young Adult novel par excellence. The stakes are high for Flynn and Jennah. Although the novel is quite introspective, there are great highs and alarming lows and plenty of pace. We are totally captivated by the two main characters, who grow and change as they must in all Young Adult novels. The ending is ambiguous, leaving the reader to decide how life will pan out for the two main characters. I'm normally a disciplined reader, keeping my distance and holding on to my objectivity, but I did stay up to finish this last night. I just had to find out what happened to these two charming young people whom I love dearly. But I’m not going to tell you and deprive you of the joy of finding out for yourselves. 
This is the kind of sequel that every excellent book deserves, if it has to have one! Tabitha Suzuma's A Note of Madness introduced us to the young music genius, Flynn, whose battle with rapid-cycling depression led to the the creation of one of the most challenging and memorable book for teenagers that I have read in a long, long time. It was a brutally honest portrayal of subject often shunned by both authors and publishers.A Voice in the Distance, the sequel to this compelling novel, is a wonderful book in its own right. The novel moves between Flynn's narrative to Jennah's narrative in successive chapters. This alternating point-of-view of the narrative allows for two 'real' voices to emerge, not so much as duet, but rather to create a story constructed from disparate perspectives.Jennah, Flynn's lover, is a wonderful foil to the chaos that is Flynn; as he once more faces his depression and deals not only with his condition, but the lives of those who care for him: his friends, his parents, his brother and his teachers at the Royal College of Music. A tough, very realistic and uncomrpmising book, Suzuma avoids sentimentlising either her characters or their narratives, and though she sets them in the midst of the torment of this particular kind of depression, never forgets that she is first and foremost a storyteller. © Finian O'Shea
The Flying Flynn?"A Voice In The Distance" is the sequel to last years "A Note Of Madness" and continues the story of Flynn Laukonen. Flynn is, by all accounts, a musical genius but as we discovered in the first of this series he also has a number of mental conditions that are classed as a bipolar disorder.In Flynn's case he switches from a manic state and then when he comes back down he gets very depressed. This book takes up the story a couple of years later where Flynn and Jennah are nearing completion of university and are living together. Flynn has been taking his prescribed lithium treatments and everything is going fine. However, after the summer, things start to get worse and it seems as though Flynn is heading towards becoming manic again. Flynn doesn't realise it's happening and Jennah fears that it may just be pressure that Flynn is under and hopes that he will calm down afterwards. However that is not to be. This book is once again a well-written look into mental illness. This time the narrative takes the story from the point of view of Flynn and what he sees and then alternates it with Jennah's understanding of what is going on. It is this second view that really touched me. As someone who has stood on the sidelines with a close relative going through much of this mental anguish it is so hard to know what to do and say - do you continue on as normal, or try and pull them through it, and what do you do when that help gets kicked back in your face? The impotence is expressed well in this book for Flynn's friends and particularly his girlfriend Jennah. From Flynn's perspective this book gives an insight into patient care in the psychiatric hospital and how he then faces the big wide world afterwards. The character is perfectly drawn and very believable. This, along with the first book, make excellent reading for teens and above, highlighting the very real issue of mental illness in teenagers and young adults. There are very few authors that tackle this subject and Tabitha is someone who has really nailed the insight and the respect for the condition and has also taken into consideration the very real feelings of those who love and care for people who really can be trying to destroy themselves. The end of the book feels like unfinished business between some of the characters and I would love to see the third novel published shortly. Once again this is a fantastic piece of sensitive writing that deserves to be read by young and old alike! © Rob Allwright, Soteria Magazine
The efficacy of Tabitha Suzuma’s A Voice in the Distance extends from her richly detailed portrayal of Flynn whose loves, fears and losses are convincingly depicted. Use of the dual narrative device provides insight into the minds of the afflicted and those surrounding them. With studies showing one in ten children have a mental health disorder, this is a topical and reflective book with an emotional range that aids a breadth of understanding. © The Bookseller
Armadillo Magazine I can't remember the last book that made me cry - actually shed a tear - so A Voice in the Distance must have had a very powerful effect on me indeed. It is the sequel to A Note of Madness and continues the story of Flynn, a music student at the Royal College, but the story is strong enough to stand on its own merits and requires no previous knowledge. Flynn and Jennah are in their last year at the RCM and Flynn, having been relatively stable for a while, is starting to lose control of his bipolar disorder, mainly through refusing to take his medicine. The result is an inevitable (and all the more powerful because of it) descent into bouts of full-blown manic depression, and I found my toes curling of their own accord when Flynn decides to 're-paint' his best friend's room. Interestingly, I found the character of Jennah somewhat frustrating although I cannot say why; her actions are all too believable as she struggles with her love for Flynn balanced against her wish that he should just be 'normal'. Their relationship was never going to be easy, but the end of the book was handled so beautifully that I couldn't help but be totally convinced. A Voice in the Distance is a real achievement, handled with skill and compassion, and Suzuma's writing is clearly going from strength to strength.
The mysteries of love are probed in Tabitha Suzuma's A Voice in the Distance, the emphasis being once again on its delight and its despair. Flynn, its hero, combines being a brilliant classical pianist with being a sufferer from manic depression, an illness which is finally to drive him towards self-destruction; his girlfriend, Jennah, must cope. Psychosis, breakdowns, a spell in a psychiatric hospital are all part of the young man's existence but so also is the promise of a glittering musical career. Some sacrifices have to be made. With events narrated alternately, and equally convincingly, by Flynn and Jennah, Suzuma's novel effectively demonstrates that real love, sometimes, will involve setting the loved one free. © Robert Dunbar, The Irish Times
A Voice in the Distance by Tabitha Suzuma is the stand-alone sequel to A Note of Madness. I read the former first and hunted out the latter because I enjoyed Suzuma's writing and characters so much. A Voice in the Distance is a story told through the eyes of star pianist Flynn Laukonen and his equally musical girlfriend, Jennah. Flynn, though brilliantly talented, is bipolar and must keep up his medication to keep the highs from getting out of control and the lows from driving him to suicide. The side-effects of the drugs, however, impact on Flynn's playing. He makes a conscious choice to go it alone to battle his disorder and, as expected, things get wildly out of control and his actions affect those closest to him. This is a fabulous book: wonderfully convincing characters, beautifully crafted writing (like the beauty of the music created by Jennah and Flynn) and an utterly convincing journey seen through the eyes of both the sufferer and his lover. Highly recommended for any mature teen, especially those with a love of music. © Tania Roxborogh, Otago Daily Times
The story is set two and a half years after A Note of Madness and brings us up to date with Flynn, Jennah and their friend Harry. They are in their final year at Music College, and Flynn is making a name for himself. This story stands alone from the previous story – and although it is useful to have the background knowledge of the relationships, it isn’t essential. Told from two points of view – Flynn and Jennah – the reader quickly becomes aware that something is not quite right, through contrasting Flynn’s perception with Jennah’s perception of the same incidents and behaviours. Flynn has manic depression, controlled by medication. His friends have learned to accommodate him when he has an episode, either of mania or depression. They know that his medication will be tweaked, therapy will be stepped up, and everyone waits for it to pass. Which it normally does – until now. Then follows the dilemma for Jennah of realising her life is balanced between being lover and carer or her career, while for Flynn it is a balance between being a musical genius with the swings of manic depression, or coping with the side effects of medication which dull his senses and ability to play, but allows him to live a normal life. This is a very well written account of the dilemmas of manic depression, and the effects on friends and family, as well as addressing the stigma of mental illness. It describes the role taken on by his friends as his “carers” and the pressures it puts on their lives. How they question their loyalty to Flynn, and the decisions that they make about their lives as a consequence. Most importantly of all it shows the real dilemma of people with mental health problems, and decisions they have make about the affect of medication on their everyday functioning – something which can be very hard to grasp. It is useful for classroom discussion of the topics and is suitable for all ages from 12 upwards. © Janet Dowling, Write Away! What some of the readers thought (taken from Amazon.co.uk) I read A Voice in the Distance in 2.25 hours exactly - that's how fab it was. I've read all 3 of Tabitha's books and I can definitely say it is one of the best I've ever read. Flynn is such an immense character. I actually feel as if I can really relate to him. My problems haven't been as bad as his, but I have had a mild version of what he goes through. I felt so sorry for Jennah as it must be so tough having to deal with a boyfriend who's completely different and alien to what you really love about them. I have to say, this book did make me cry a bit at the end. I know not all books have a happy ending, this certainly wasn't, then I guess it sort of was at the same time, but I just couldn't stand Flynn being in such pain because when he went to the concert at the end of the story and saw Jennah so happy with people crowding around her and telling her how brilliant she was, it just felt like he'd lost a part of him. This is why there definitely must be a next book to continue the story. I'm so eager to know what happens with Flynn and Jennah.....or at least I hope something happens between Flynn and Jennah. I might only be thirteen, but I do know that this is one of the best books I've ever read and also, just to show off a bit, I've actually read the book three times, seriously. It might be strange, but I really did love that book so much. So, I think I've pretty much said everything that needed to be said. A Voice in the Distance is the deepest and best-written book about depression ever. I definitely recommend this to anyone. I mean, maybe not to little kids, but teenagers and adults should definitely read this book because its truthful and really makes you think and want to read more! (Stephanie, 13) I've read a fair few books in my time, but none have encapsulated me as much as this one. From the moment I read its prequel, I knew I'd stumbled upon something magnificent, and was overjoyed at the prospect of another, and low and behold it came. I was unsure of how well the dual narrative would work at first, but after the first two chapters, my suspicions were disintegrated by Suzuma's sheer description of both character's feelings. I can't remember the last time I've felt so close to a book before; like I was a character in it myself. Many times, I felt myself crying with both Jennah and Flynn and praying that things would work how I wanted them to. One thing I have noticed about A Voice in the Distance, compared to A Note of Madness, is the increase of description, particularly in the moments between the lead characters. This adds so much depth to the story, almost like another colour to a painting. My heart beats fast at the racy parts, and stops at the shocking parts, just as it should. This book has really touched me, in more ways than one. I identified with the first book a great deal, and felt more attached with this one as the story unfolded. The constant yo-yo-ing of happiness and sadness was almost a direct representation of myself in some ways, but intensified a lot more. I implore anybody who has read the first book, someone suffering from any form of depression, or someone looking for a good book to read, to buy this one. (Luke Davis) Told from both their points of view, we enter Flynn and Jennah's lives in their final year at the Royal College of Music; they are still together and Flynn's future looks promising, with a string of concerts lined up for when he graduates; things seem perfect. However, perfection cannot last... As a reader, you spot the signs that Flynn is slipping and I found myself wanting to scream, desperately wishing that someone would stop him self-destructing before it was too late. I sympathized with all the characters, but I love Flynn and found myself frustrated with Jennah, wishing that she could be stronger for him, even though I know she tried her best. The fact that Suzuma can evoke such strong emotions in me is a sign of a great writer who understands where her characters are coming from. I was gripped throughout this story, needing to discover what was to become of their relationship, and perhaps more importantly for me, Flynn's life. The sacrifices that are made are painful, but also make me love Flynn even more. When I first stumbled upon and read 'A Note of Madness', I loved it so much I immediately ordered a second copy for a friend who had been through something similar. After reading this book on a recent flight, I think I will be doing the same. As an aside, although this book may be listed as 'young adult', I would urge people of all ages to explore it as I have no doubt older readers (like myself) will enjoy it. (Jane Dudeney) After being infatuated by A Note of Madness I could not wait to read the sequel! Right from the beginning I was gripped and with both Jennah's and Flynn's take on the situation a much broader picture of living with Bipolar disorder is created. Continuing on from Flynn's struggle with Bipolar disorder in A Note of Madness we can now see more clearly the effect it has on other people. I really feel I can connect with Jennah, not only because of the vivid crystal clear descriptions but because to some extent I can also understand the struggle she must face living with someone with Bipolar disorder. My lifelong friend was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder last year and reading A Note of Madness and A Voice in the Distance have helped both of us no end. I can understand the way he feels and thinks more and I find A Voice in the Distance much more informative and helpful than a non-fiction text about Bipolar disorder as you really feel you are in the book, standing in for one of the characters. The book is full of ups and downs reflecting the mood swings: the manias and depressions of someone with Bipolar. I felt myself being lifted when Flynn was acting 'normally' and then dropped back down when things between Jennah and Flynn went bad in their relationship. I got really into it, the way a book should make you feel. I can recommend this book to anyone, the beautiful writing of Suzuma can make anyone understand the pain of having to either live with or live with someone with Bipolar disorder. (Freya) I really loved this book, after waiting for what has seemed like years for the sequel to A Note of Madness to arrive on my doorstep, I opened it thinking "What if it doesn't live up to the first book?" But quickly I found myself back into Flynn's world but this time told between his and Jennah's points of view, making the book impossible to put down. After getting really into the book you are overwhelmed with the characters feelings, (something that many authors struggle to do) and you find yourself crying, smiling and becoming lapped up in the spiral of the story. An amazing read, definitely recommended. (Karen Warren) I was already a huge fan of Flynn after I read A Note of Madness, and was delighted to see him begin a new journey. As a sufferer of mental illness myself, I could really be sympathetic towards Flynn's broken mind, and Tabitha does a great job of bringing his characterisation to life. Her use of language displays Flynn's feelings and physicality brilliantly. I particularly liked the constant changing of viewpoint between Flynn and Jennah. That gave the story an effective and consistent change of mood and tone. Tabitha has certainly put together a page-turning plotline with twists and turns at every corner. Her use of imagery is stunning. I particularly liked the tranquil images of the swans on the lake at the beginning of the story, and, additionally, all the beautiful imagery of music and the arts. Tabitha's voice spoke to me like no other writer. She most definitely touched my heart, and gave me hope that the bad times with my illness will soon pass. With page-turning plotlines, vivid images, tear-jerking conversations and a true understanding of the world of mental illness, I definitely recommend A Voice in the Distance, and hope Flynn's life continues with a third story. Buy it and be stunned and surprised, having the tissues at the ready. A top, first-class piece of creativity and creative writing. (Daniel Edlin) After stumbling upon A Note of Madness, the prequel to this captivating novel, I was instantly drawn into the drama of the story that the author so realistically tells. Flynn Laukonen is a talented pianist, studying at the prestigious Royal College of Music, who happens to have Bipolar Disorder. This book continues the story two and a half years later when Flynn, his girlfriend Jennah (finally!) and best friend Harry are entering their final year of university. The great thing about this book is that it could definitely be read as a stand-alone novel, though I recommend reading the prequel as I believe it gives you more of a connection with the characters - you know their history. A difference though is that the book has been written from two perspectives - both Flynn and Jennah's. This allows the reader to not only really understand what Flynn is thinking when none of the other characters can, but also see how it affects his girlfriend. This is brilliant as mental illness, as I personally know, has an impact not only on the individual but the family and friends as well. This book truly is an emotional rollercoaster. One minute I felt like yelling at Flynn in frustration, the next I was positively beaming with happiness. There are lots of funny parts, too, to balance out the more serious chapters. It is also important to note that this book isn't just about Bipolar! It should be read by anyone going through relationship troubles, anyone stressing over exams (I being one such person), anyone going through everyday life! It is a book that everyone can take something from. The book has left me on tenterhooks - I need to know what happens next! - And I thank Ms Suzuma for, yet again, making this book definitely worth the wait. (Simone Vibert) There aren't many books that can make people's hearts beat fast and feel so clued in with the book. This is one of these books. The story was set and told by both Jennah and Flynn, alternating between them. Flynn's mania and depression were shown from two points of view, which I found great. I know books about people with depression, but they're not looking very much at the effect on the closest people, or from the person's point of view. It's then so much easier to understand why Flynn acts how he does, because if his feelings weren't shown we'd assume he was a prat, to put it bluntly. I was practically tearing my hair out with impatience when Jennah didn't realize what was happening, and I was cringing with embarrassment for her at other times. I realized, whilst reading, that my heart was racing, and I felt like destroying the phone for ringing whilst I was reading. But I felt so involved with the story, and can't wait to exhaust my friends by talking about it as much as I did with the previous book, A Note Of Madness. I really felt for Flynn, and all he had to put up with, and also how Jennah was, living and loving someone with Bipolar. It is a true and strong book. This is a truly unbelievably amazing book, that I'd recommend for older readers. (Caitlin McLarty)
ReadPlus Highly recommended. We've all heard harrowing stories of children abducted by one parent, leaving the other in fear and anguish. Tabitha Suzuma weaves a powerful story around three children trapped in just such a traumatic situation. For Max, Louis and Millie, life in Paris with their high flying French mother is difficult enough without their parents fighting for custody in a vindictive divorce battle. The children know that their Irish Father is at risk of losing them due to his fragile mental state, so a final weekend with him before the start of the new school year is especially important to all three. However, what begins as a weekend in Paris turns into an unexpected flight to England. A promised week of extra holiday as a special treat stretches into two, and finally the children are confronted with the truth; their father has kidnapped them. The story is told through the eyes of twelve year old Louis, the middle child and a talented street dancer. Gradually all three children adjust to their new lives in the Lake District and Louis's friendship with fellow dancer Tess, seals their fragile sense of security. However, Louis and Tess's winning entry in a dance competition is reported in the newspaper, and terrified of discovery, their father forces them to flee again.
Suzuma
maintains a cracking narrative with a strong vein of realism and plenty of
excitement and tension. She confronts difficult questions in a way that young
readers can relate to, but which never avoids the reality: however the
situation resolves, someone will lose out. The unexpected ending shows just how
messy such situations can be and left me longing to find out more. Perhaps
there is room for a sequel? Tabitha Suzuma is already an established and
impressive writer for teenagers and here she turns her talents to a younger
readership. The strong plot, coupled with Louis's passion for dancing keep the
story fresh and up to date and able and mature readers of 10+ are in for a
treat. © Claire Larson, Pledger Consulting
Armadillo Magazine There is a tiny meadow flower called Bird's Eye that is an intense, passionate blue, a flower so much part of the meadow, it is woven into the earth itself, and it is this kind of bird's eye view that Tabitha Suzuma allows us when we step into the compelling story of three children, Max 14, Louis 12 and Millie, 8, coping with their parents' marriage break-up. Abduction is a word that promises a high degree of misery and, in some measure, this is what it delivers when the children's English father abducts them from their French mother, taking them from Paris to England. The children, who believe they are on an extended holiday, are devastated when Louis sees a picture of himself, his brother and sister, on a 'Missing Persons' poster in a Lake District railway station, for that is where they have washed up with new histories, names and haircuts. When Louis later confronts his father, demanding to know why he has 'kidnapped' them, the answer of, 'Because I love you. Because I can't live without my children,' is met with Louis's hurt and furious, 'You had no right to take us without telling us, as if we were nothing but objects…pieces of furniture.' Many young people will recognise that hurt and hear their own voice in Louis's words. The children do settle into this new life and Louis is able to take up dancing again but disaster strikes when he confides in the girl with whom he is falling in love. Tess writes it all down, her Mum reads it, then calls the police. However, Tess warns the family before the police arrive and they are able to get away. Tabitha Suzuma has drawn a realistic picture of adversarial parents who forget that children have lives of their own. This book also shows how legal and social decisions that profoundly affect a child's life can still be made, as Louis resentfully discovers, without the child's involvement, even when they are old enough to be consulted. She highlights the children's courage as they try to make the best of things and shows their generosity in forgiving the people they love for the hurt they cause. Young readers will strongly identify with Max, Louis and Millie, and cheer as the children slowly come to an understanding of who they are and what they want from life, a hard won understanding that forms the choices they eventually get to make about their own futures. As a bonus, this beautifully written book sweeps you forward on plain and lovely prose until, far too soon, you have somehow reached the end.
© Gwen Grant, Armadillo Magazine
Tabitha Suzuma’s new book is a gripping, poignant story of a family torn apart by divorce. On the brink of being denied all access to his children, Louis’ father has decided to kidnap them – and the children are forced into a life on the run, with new names, haircuts, and identities. But they can’t be careful for ever… Without Looking Back develops slowly but smoothly from domestic, almost humdrum beginnings, and although the premise is potentially sensational Suzuma successfully avoids melodrama. There is enough action and suspense to keep readers gripped, but the heart of the book is in the relationships between the characters, which are charted with sensitivity and warmth, particularly the combination of friction and affection between Louis and his siblings. The simple, no-frills style, and Suzuma’s great eye for detail, paint a moving picture of a situation where no one, finally, can win – and where Louis, torn between his dancing career and his father, must make an impossible decision… Unusually for Suzuma, the characters struggle against circumstances, not themselves, and as a result it’s less complex, and perhaps less powerful, than her other books – but then it’s clearly aimed at a younger age-group, and would be enjoyed by readers who aren’t ready, or willing, to tackle the darker issues of, for example, From Where I Stand. Without Looking Back is a sympathetic, realistic portrait of a family forced to self-destruct – but while it has the integrity not to provide easy answers, it ends on a surprising note of hope.
© John Lloyd, bookseller, Waterstone's
Soteria Magazine I have always enjoyed reading books by Tabitha Suzuma, I think her debut novel was released just as I started reviewing books from Random House. Although readers are still awaiting the final part of her first trilogy (come on Random House commission it!) I have enjoyed every one of her books. This story represents a bit of a departure in subject for Tabitha as often she often chooses to write about young people who have mental health issues, depression and similar conditions, this one is different. The family is still touched a little by the stigma of someone finding depression difficult to cope with, but it isn't the core of the story. Louis and his older brother (Max) and younger sister (Millie) live with their mum, with them visiting with their dad at weekends. However one weekend their dad has a surprise, they are going on a holiday. However Louis overhears a phonecall and understands his dad has lost the case to see them every week and their visits with their father will now be court supervised. Their dad whisks them away on holiday from France to the UK and then extends the holiday by a week. It is during this week that Louis finds himself face to face with a picture of himself on a Missing Persons poster! Life seems like it could be better in the UK, but will it be. Louis was meant to be dancing in a big competition, but would he be able to pursue that interest in the UK? Is a life in hiding really worth it, and he misses his Maman. It is these internal conflicts that Tabitha is always so good at expressing. I love the way that she chooses characters that are not the 'norm'. They aren't necessarily straightforward cliches of people, like Louis and his dancing. It is a brave decision to have a young male character be a dancer! Yet it makes the story different, not something that is run-of-the-mill. His conflict between his parents, his dancing and even his feelings for a girl are all carefully laid out for the reader to see. The background characters aren't really background at all, they are made 3 dimensional through clever writing and a genuine feeling of concern. You feel sorry for the father who feels he has to take this action to take care of his kids, but also for the children understanding their dilemma of choosing between mother and father. This is a great emotive read which takes place in a world where things aren't always clear cut, and sometimes we have to make hard decisions for love, as Louis finds out! © Rob Allwright, Soteria Magazine
'Moving Forward' There exist novels which after reading in a single sitting, the reader looks up from the solid black print on the final page and the world seems different, as if in the space of time punctuated only by the satisfying sound of a page thumbed over, the entire room has been subtly rearranged. This is not one of those books. Rather, after reading this novel, it’s not only the world which seems different but the reader as well. Without Looking Back is a novel from the perspective of a twelve year old boy, Louis, caught along with his older brother Max and his younger sister Millie in the turbulent wake of the disintegration of their parents’ marriage and subsequent estrangement. In a world where divorce is rapidly becoming a norm, rather than an exception, Tabitha Suzuma as always creates a situation both powerful and pertinent. In comparison with Tabitha Suzuma’s previous novels, it seems that Without Looking Back is aimed at a somewhat younger audience. Louis is realistically portrayed as a boy on the cusp of adolescence. He seems to be a character which readers can easily relate to and understand his thoughts and feelings. Interested in dancing and seemingly possessed of a strong moral backbone, he is both likeable and easy to form an affinity with. His relationships with his siblings capture the dynamics of a family perfectly. Even so however, the way in which Suzuma masterfully crafts her novel means that a reader can easily read the novel to whatever depth they find comfortable and most appealing, regardless of age or maturity. Ultimately however, Tabitha Suzuma captures the essence of what it means to grow up. In contrasting the innocence of the world which Louis lives in with the complicated and comparatively darker landscape of adulthood, the author clearly portrays the progression that the children go through as they leave the idyllic perfection of childhood and enter the inevitability of becoming an adult in a world where everything rarely is as simple as it seems. She introduces her characters to the hurt, the pain but also the pleasure of growing up. However much her novel is centred on conflict; it is very much a novel revolving around love and family, in many ways an emotionally confronting portrayal of love as being a law which supersedes any human efforts to quantify or restrain it. Tabitha Suzuma’s Without
Looking Back is a novel that is not only enjoyable and not just interesting. It’s
so much more. Describing its contents does scant justice to the sheer emotive
power between the covers and the artistic mastery that the author wields – a
story which truly draws the reader in and sweeps them along on a journey as
poignant as it is resonant. © Thomas Khoo (reader, 16)
|
The Guardian
