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Shades of Light: A Novel

By: Sharon Garlough Brown
Narrated by: Erin Bennett
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Summary

"I was desperate.... I couldn't turn off the dark thoughts, no matter how hard I tried or how much I prayed.
And then I spent a whole weekend in bed, and the crying wouldn't stop, and I got really scared. I've had bouts with depression before - it's kind of a cloud I've learned to live with - but this time was different. I felt like I was going under, like I'd never feel hopeful again, and then that just made my anxiety worse, and it all spiraled from there."

Wren Crawford is a social worker who finds herself overwhelmed with the troubles of the world. Her lifelong struggles with anxiety and depression are starting to overcome her. She finds solace in art, spiritual formation, and pastoral care along with traditional therapeutic interventions. But a complicated relationship from her past also threatens to undo her progress.

Fans of Sharon Brown's best-selling Sensible Shoes Series will be delighted to discover some old friends along the way. As Wren seeks healing in this beautifully written novel, listeners are invited to move beyond pat answers and shallow theology into an experience of hope and presence that illuminates even the darkness.

©2019 Sharon Garlough Brown (P)2019 Sharon Garlough Brown
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What listeners say about Shades of Light: A Novel

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  • Overall
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Poignant but faith-filled

The book charts the progress of Wren, a young woman with a tender heart, a sincere faith, and a deep desire to help others, from the time she spends in a psychiatric hospital as a result of a mental breakdown, through her struggle to recover and rebuild her life. I found the early chapters rather tedious at times, but my interest was held more once she emerged from hospital. I’m not a professional in psychiatry but I felt the depiction of Wren’s painful struggles and frequent internal debates rang true. I also liked the fact that the book shows the impact of her illness on others especially her family. While the portrayal of the havoc and distress that mental illness can cause is unvarnished and realistic, the interplay between personal faith and mental anguish is beautifully described, as is the value of having sensitive, loving and believing people around to offer support.
No easy answers are given on the issue of mental illness, but the book contains a message of hope even in the sadness. I’m glad to have read it.

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Healing

Loved it, perfectly pictures the grace of God. Many journeys perfectly woven together showing how depression affects those we love, whether they are the suffering ones or the loving family and friends.
A turmoil trapping people inside their own mind.

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Creativity a pathway to life through suffering

This novel brings honesty, the reality of relationship with God over prevalent religious thought. It tells the story of a young woman who suffers with anxiety and depression. The impact on her personally, on her family including the very real issue of co-dependency. Sharon Garlough Brown brings wisdom, depth and shows us a way of walking a healing path without shying away from the harsh realities. Here is real trust, true acceptance, and the profound love of God for each of us

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Difficult but real

Very different from the Sensible Shoes series. A much heavier yet real and relevant topic. Made me view art and artists in a whole new way.

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