In my church experience, it seems like feeling depressed is viewed as "unChristian." If one is feeling sad, if it is even expressed at all, people respond with cheery comments like, "Look on the bright side of things" or "Why don't you pray and read your Bible more?" or the most awful "Let go, let God!"
Personally, I think these comments should be responded to with something I cannot write here since this blog already has a Content Warning. Or I guess I could write it, since the Content Warning is already there, but I think you know what I'm talking about.
This book explores what it means for followers of Jesus to experience depression. And what I like about this book is that she takes the stigma away from using antidepressants and talk therapy: "There is no reason one must choose between God and therapeutic intervention." This is a little book, but I could see how reading it would make someone suffering from depression (and those around them) feel less alone and to know that there are resources to help them without leaving out their faith.
The narrator of this book is six-year-old Lark. She describes a year of her life living during the Depression in Harvester, Minnesota. The title, The Cape Ann, refers to the name of the house that Lark and her mother plan on building once they've saved up enough money. This book is sweet, funny, and beautiful. The characters come to life, and Lark's friend, Beverly, is especially funny.
