Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Brutally Honest by Melanie Brown, Louise Gannon

2 reviews

mari1532's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.5

I listened to this audiobook through Audible.

I did enjoy this book because Brown was exactly what the title states, brutally honest. She does not shy away from her struggles or her character flaws as she details important moments from her life and rise to fame. I respect how Brown is using her platform to highlight the insidiousness of domestic abuse.

While Brown does mix in beautiful and funny moments throughout the book, such as experiences with the Spice Girls or the birth of her children, this book is an emotional read. The emotions throughout this book are raw, but Brown never loses her message that the reader can overcome hard things, even when she is discussing her suicide attempts and bouts with depression. You get the real sense that she is sharing her story because she knows that telling people in similar situations that "you are not alone" is an important thing to remind people of. She also provides a clear outline of how she was able to ask for help when she needed it and all of the struggles that came along with it. Demonstrating that things are not easy, but that healing is possible.

I would recommend this book, but make sure you have a cup of warm tea and klenex nearby.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Classism

bookswithlauren's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

I have always been a fan of Mel B, so when she brought out her own book, I was really looking forward to reading it. 

The title of the book is cleverly chosen as she really was brutally honest throughout. Mel B does not shy away from details of her abusive relationship, enjoyment of sex, struggles with drugs and alcohol, or her family life. This makes it such an important tool for other people to learn, to feel seen, to relate to. It is admirable and brave to be so honest in a world full of criticism.

I really enjoyed reading this book and despite the somewhat chaotic structuring of the book, it was a reflection on Mel B's ADHD and her choice to keep the structuring the way her brain created it, is in itself a tool to others and a way for other people with the condition to feel understood and seen.

Having the audiobook narrated partly by Mel and other members of her family and friends only increased the connection with the reader and enjoyment of the book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail