The Hilarious World of Depression
John Moe
St. Martin’s Press
Description
One of Today’s Ten Best Inspirational Books, 2020
By the creator and host of the acclaimed mental health podcast Depresh Mode with John Moe
“[A] path to deeper understanding and openness, by way of laughter in the dark” ―The New York Times Book Review
“Filled with heart, humor and hope.” ―People
“A funny, honest book.” ―Neil Gaiman
“Candid and funny and intimate.” ―Susan Orlean
For years John Moe, critically-acclaimed public radio personality and host of The Hilarious World of Depression podcast, struggled with depression; it plagued his family and claimed the life of his brother in 2007. As Moe came to terms with his own illness, he began to see similar patterns of behavior and coping mechanisms surfacing in conversations with others, including high-profile comedians who’d struggled with the disease. Moe saw that there was tremendous comfort and community in open dialogue about these shared experiences and that humor had a unique power. Thus was born the podcast The Hilarious World of Depression.
Inspired by the immediate success of the podcast, Moe has written a remarkable investigation of the disease, part memoir of his own journey, part treasure trove of laugh-out-loud stories and insights drawn from years of interviews with some of the most brilliant minds facing similar challenges. Throughout the course of this powerful narrative, depression’s universal themes come to light, among them, struggles with identity, lack of understanding of the symptoms, the challenges of work-life, self-medicating, the fallout of the disease in the lives of our loved ones, the tragedy of suicide, and the hereditary aspects of the disease.
The Hilarious World of Depression illuminates depression in an entirely fresh and inspiring way.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781250209283 |
| PRICE | $27.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 304 |
Our Thoughts
John Moe is hilarious. Check out his “Pop Song Correspondences” on McSweeney’s or his Twitter account. This book, though, isn’t so much hilarious as wry and moving. It’s a memoir of his lifelong battle with depression and trauma. For those not up for dealing with talk of suicide, there is plenty of that as he discusses his own suicidal ideation and his brother’s death.
I don’t think I’ve ever highlighted so much in my Kindle. The observations about what life with depression is like are profound. He identifies so many ways in which, in retrospect, depression was limiting his life or changing his reality. If you know or suspect you might have depression, or love someone who does, this book is a great resource for finding the words to discuss the often-taboo subjects related to mental illness.
Overall, The Hilarious World of Depression is a must-read for anyone dealing with depression or supporting someone who is. With its humor, warmth, and hard-earned wisdom, Moe’s book breaks down barriers to create a space where mental health can be discussed with honesty and even a bit of laughter. This book is not just about surviving depression, but about finding community, connection, and even joy amidst it.
