Reasons to Stay Alive

Description

What does it mean to feel truly alive? Aged 24, Matt Haig's world caved in. He could see no way to go on living. This is the true story of how he came through crisis, triumphed over an illness that almost destroyed him and learned to live again. A moving, funny and joyous exploration of how to live better, love better and feel more alive, Reasons to Stay Alive is more than a memoir. It is a book about making the most of your time on earth. I wrote this book because the oldest cliches remain the truest. Time heals. The bottom of the valley never provides the clearest view. The tunnel does have light at the end of it, even if we haven't been able to see it . . . Words, just sometimes, really can set you free.

Matt Haig is the author of five novels, including the bestselling The Last Family in England, which has been optioned by Brad Pitt's production company, The Radleys, which was selected for Channel 4's TV Book Club and was voted the winner of the series in 2011 and The Humans, a World Book Night 2014 title. His works have been translated into over twenty languages, and he has also written award-winning books for children. He lives in Brighton.

* Maybe the most important book I've read this year -- SIMON MAYO * A life-saving book -- AMANDA CRAIG * Warm and engaging, and shot through with humour ... a valuable contribution to the conversation SUNDAY TIMES * Brings a difficult and sensitive subject out of the darkness and into the light -- MICHAEL PALIN * Full of wisdoms and warmth -- NATHAN FILER * A tender, candid, inspiring book about depression SUNDAY EXPRESS * Matt Haig is astounding -- STEPHEN FRY * Reasons to Stay Alive is wonderful. I read it in one sitting. Touching, funny, thought-provoking, with a huge heart. It should be read by anyone who has suffered, or known someone who has suffered (i.e. everyone) -- S J WATSON * Fascinating and beautifully written -- IAN RANKIN * Matt Haig uses words like a tin-opener. We are the tin -- JEANETTE WINTERSON * Matt Haig is a marvellous writer: limpid; tender; passionate. In this memoir (and it's short, barely 200 pages long), he manages to articulate, both the bleakness of depression and the means of dealing with it, little by little, day by day, without ever sounding maudlin, or self-indulgent, or preachy. For everyone who has ever felt the snap of the black dog's teeth, this book is wise, funny, affirming and redemptive. Sometimes depression can be like falling into a wordless pit. Matt Haig finds the words. And he says them for all of us -- JOANNE HARRIS * Thoughtful, honest and incredibly insightful -- JENNY COLGAN * Brilliant and salutary ... should be on prescription -- REV. RICHARD COLES * For anyone who has faced the black dog, or felt despair, this marvellous book is a real comfort, dealing sympathetically with depression, written with candour and from first-hand experience. I think it is a small masterpiece. It might even save lives -- JOANNA LUMLEY * A really great read, and essential to our collective well-being -- JO BRAND * Quite simply brilliant BOOKMUNCH * A heart-breaking account of a young man experiencing debilitating depression but comes with a surprising light touch SUNDAY MAIL * I feel like someone else in the world understands me now. I feel a bit less alone, a bit less scared, a bit less guilty and anxious and burdened LITTLE WHITE LIBRARY * The amount of passages I've underlined is a real testament to his skills as a writer THE WHITE JOURNAL * A life-affirming and quietly joyful read CONNAUGHT TELEGRAPH