The Other Side of Nothing

by Anastasia Zadeik

The day after her eighteenth birthday, Julia Reeves checks herself into a psychiatric facility, longing to find a way out of the darkness that has engulfed her since her father’s sudden, untimely death. What she finds is fellow suicide attempt survivor Sam Lorenzo, a brilliant twenty-three-year-old photographer. Sam brings beauty and light back into Julia’s life, so when he asks her to escape with him on a cross-country odyssey, she agrees.

Before Julia can process what she’s done, the two young lovers are on the run.

When Julia’s mother, Laura, learns Julia has disappeared and authorities will do nothing to help find her, Laura forms an uneasy alliance with the sole person who has as much to lose as she does: Sam’s mother, Arabella. Armed with only a handful of clues, the two mothers embark on a journey of their own, desperately hoping to save their children before they are lost forever.

A moving exploration of family, friendship, and how far we are willing to go for the ones we love, The Other Side of Nothing is a powerful read about loss, self-determination, and second chances. 

Genres: Fiction, Mental Health, Amazon, Ebooks

344 pages, Paperback

Published May 28, 2024

About the author

Anastasia Zadeik is a writer, narrative nonfiction storyteller, and the author of two novels. Her debut, Blurred Fates, won the 2023 Sarton Award and the 2023 National Indie Excellence Award for Contemporary Fiction. Her second novel, The Other Side of Nothing, was selected as a Zibby Summer Read and was awarded the 2024 IPPY Gold Medal for Popular Fiction.

Anastasia serves as Director of Communications for the San Diego Writers Festival, on the board of the International Memoir Association, and as a mentor and performer for the literary nonprofit So Say We All. When she isn’t reading or writing, you’ll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or hanging out with her husband, Tom, and their empty-nest rescue dog, Charlie.

To learn more (and see videos of her live storytelling), please visit anastasiazadeik.com or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads, @anastasiazadeik.

Reviews

[Mandy K · Rating 5 out of 5]

More people need to be adding this to their TBR pile! I’m so thankful for this Goodreads Giveaway win. My favorite yet!

An emotional, deep, raw story of grief and mental health. Presented in alternating POVs: Laura (mother) and Julia (daughter). Both POVs felt real and relatable causing me to see both sides and not cast blame on either of them. They are both just human. And being human is complex and hard. Eventually a third POV is added: Annabelle (mother of Sam). All three perspectives were unique and intense.

Julia is grieving the loss of her father and battling with suicidal ideation (and attempts). Shortly after turning 18 she voluntarily checks into a psychiatric rehab and meets Sam. Just as she starts to feel like she is finding her footing and healing, she is swept up in an intense whirlwind relationship and sets off on a cross country roadtrip with Sam. As the trip progresses, Sam spirals. All the characters were well developed and defined. The reader watches Sam spiral outwardly by his actions and words, but sees Julia’s journey from within as she is silent for so much of the book but wrestles with a loud confusing battle inside. Both mothers express the real, and sometimes ugly/terrifying, parts of being a parent, loved one, support person to someone who is struggling with mental illness. It’s lonely. It’s unfair. It’s slow moving and too fast all at the same time.

I HIGHLY recommend this book if you are looking for an emotionally charged story with psychological depth.

Tw:Suicide/mental illness/death/cancer

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

TITLE: THE OTHER SIDE OF NOTHING
AUTHOR: Anastasia Zadeik
PUB DATE: 05.28.2024 Now Available

Julia just lost her father to cancer and at 18 she blames herself and is clinically depressed, decides Brookfield will save her. There she meets Sam, falls in love, and escapes to Yosemite while Sam off meds unravels and spirals out of control. Their mothers Laura and Arabella join forces to find their children using clues and each other for support.

This is a story of mental health done right - addressing the perspectives of the women in the story, the effects of depression on the families and loved ones, and depicting the harsh reality of mental illness with compassion and deep understanding.

This is my second book from Anastasia Zadeik and it’s another winner - I highly recommend this incredibly hard to put down book!

[Zibby Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a heartfelt story about four people on two cross-country journeys. The first duo includes Julie and Sam, young adults who are survivors of suicide and fall in love in a residential psychiatric facility. They escape and leave everything behind to embark on a journey. Sam wants to recreate an iconic Ansel Adams image to start his career, and Julie wants to complete her bucket list because she promised her dad when he was dying.

The second journey concerns their moms, Laura and Arabella, who are desperate to find their kids when they realize they are missing. They decide to look for them together. The problem is they only have a handful of clues to follow. These are physical journeys as well as emotional and psychological journeys.

The author raises many interesting points about parent-child relationships. It is basically about how relationships change and about people who struggle with mental health challenges and the ones who love them.

To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbymedia.com/blogs/transcri...

[Linda Zagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anastasia Zadeik, the Author of “The Other Side of Nothing” has written a dynamic, strong, and intriguing novel. I appreciate that the author discusses the deep layers of mental illness, the use of Art and Music in literature and in therapy and the significance of Philosophy. The Genres for this novel are Women’s Psychological Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Coming of Age, and Mental Health. In this detailed written and well researched novel, the author vividly describes the dramatic characters, the plot and the landscape. The author mentions certain artistic techniques, famous artists, artistic photography, and philosophical books. The characters are depicted as dysfunctional, depressed, anxious, complex and complicated, and want to feel better. Medical intervention is discussed, as well as therapy.

Julia Reeves is 18 years old, and has displayed emotional distress after the tragic loss of her father. In an extremely depressed and anxious call for help, Julia voluntarily admits herself to a Mental Health Facility. Julia’s Mom has problems coping, and doesn’t understand what Julia is going through. Julia starts therapy, and is adjusting to the routines, when she meets Sam, 23, a wealthy young man, who will be leaving the facility. Sam convinces Julia, that she is the light in a dark world, and they should leave with him. Through Art, Poetry, Books of Philosophy, and listening to Julia’s needs, Julia decides to go.

Julia’s mother and Sam’s mother join forces to find the young couple before something tragic happens. Sam has one goal in mind, and Julia is starting to recognize reckless behavior and his moods.

I highly recommend this thought-provoking novel, and I appreciate the journey through the darkness into the light.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
TW: suicide, depression. Hits hard. This book may bring up very strong emotions.

[Sandie · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the death of her beloved father, Julia has fallen into a depression. She checks herself into a residential treatment program. She and her mother, Laura, have grown distance since the death and Laura doesn't know how to talk or act with Julia. As Julia starts to feel better with treatment, she falls in love with an magnetic patient, Sam. He is about to leave treatment and when he does he convinces Julia to leave with him.

Both Laura and Sam's mother, Arabella, are worried about this. The two aren't making contact. Arabella knows this is a repeating pattern with Sam, a fast infatuation with a girl, spiraling out of control and disaster but she doesn't share this with Laura. Instead, the two set off on the road trying to guess where their children are headed. Julia had a bucket list that seems to give clues.

The mothers almost catch up with Sam and Julia at one location but Sam sees them and they flee. It soon becomes apparent that the two are headed to a remote, dangerous location where Sam hopes to duplicate one of Ansel Adam's most famous images. Can they find the two before Sam spins completely our of control?

This is an important book about mental illness and suicide that is relevant to many. The author has family experience with the topics and offers a ray of hope when all may seem dark and uncharted territory. It emphasizes the necessity of getting help when one's mind is cluttered and spinning and the fact that there is a better life waiting. Julia sees how Sam becomes more and more focused on his obsessions and she tries to help him but eventually realizes that she cannot do what is not wanted. This book is recommended for readers of family relationships.

[Debbie Rozier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving. This book really evokes a lot of emotion.

It’s told in three female points of view: Julia, Laura, and Arabella.
I think this use works to tell the story.

This read looks at the different aspects and the scope of mental illness.

It also includes a revelatory road trip for two moms. It dives into the arts and writing including Albert Camus’s book, THE MYTH OF SISYPHUS.

This is a fictional book that addresses very important real life issues.

[Marilyn Goncalves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mothers Laura and Arabella join forces and rely on each other for support as they try to find their children Julia who is clinically depressed after the death of her father and has checked herself into a psychiatric facility only to run away with Sam, another patient whom she falls in love with.
This book pleasantly surprised me, especially the compassionate manor mental illness was handled and also the toll it takes on the family and loved ones.

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an emotional ride. A moving story about mental illness, the challenges and impact it has on those struggling with it. The author did an amazing job writing about it in a beautiful and compassionate way. Heartbreaking, insightful, remarkable and hopeful.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours and She Writes Press for this tour invite.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗢𝗳 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 by Anastasia Zadeik released May 28, 2024.

[Margot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zadeik has a very good understanding of mental illness in its various forms. The story gets a little melodramatic with the long chase, but all in all a very moving and satisfying read.

[Chloe Schneider · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling narrative voice, fascinating deep dives into philosophy, honest portrayals of mental illness, and emotional study of grief and healing.

[Binky Bowberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, Anastasia Zadeik knocks it out of the park again!

Her current book “The Other Side Of Nothing” is an awesome page-turning followup to her psychological thriller debut novel “Blurred Fates”.

This novel covers the topics of mental illness and suicide; in both emotional and informative ways, - while reminding us to tread lightly…
“We can never truly know what’s going on inside someone else’s head or soul”.

It’s also a positive story of true love and personal growth…
“Love, loss, going on”…

Anastasia’s writing pulls you into the emotions of our everyday lives and personal reality.
Her message makes you pause and assess those important to you - in a good way!

This is a compelling novel, that grabs you from the start, and doesn’t let you go.
I had a hard time putting it down, and thought about it even when I wasn’t reading it… Wow.

[Anne Moose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve just spent the last few hours glued to this book (preceded by other “glued-to-it” sessions over the last couple of days), and the first thing I can think of to say about it is BRAVO! And for so many reasons. First of all, Anastasia Zadeik is an absolutely brilliant writer. And I do mean brilliant. I’m in such awe of the craft she brought to this novel. I read Blurred Fates, her first novel, and I loved it. But I have to say that I think she took this second one to an even higher level. This is one of the most intelligent novels I’ve read in years. Her descriptive writing, the insightful dialog, the way she incorporated art and philosophy and literature (most notably Camus’s The Myth of Sisyphus) into the story...it was all so beautifully executed. It’s clear that a huge amount of thought, knowledge, and research went into this book. But the writing is not overbearing. Zadeik is an expert at teaching and making you think while steadily moving the story forward and creating suspense. It’s a page turner, but with serious points to make about what it’s like to be bipolar, and to love someone with mental illness.

The story itself is fairly simple. Two infatuated young people, both of whom suffer from mental health issues, leave the hospital where they’re being treated to embark on a cross-country “mission.” Twenty-three-year-old Sam, who is brilliant, bipolar, and a truly fascinating character, is the center of the story, although it’s never told through his eyes. Julia, his 18-year-old muse, is the primary “POV” in the story. She suffers from depression, but is the more stable of the two as she witnesses Sam’s steady deterioration. He’s gone off his medication, and the closer they get to their destination, the more manic and unstable he becomes. Chapters that center on their mothers tell the story from their perspectives as they join forces and seek to catch up with their children and bring them to safety.

As the story progresses, the author illuminates serious issues associated with mental illness, not least the fact that once a “child” reaches the age of eighteen, a parent has no legal say in their treatment decisions, even if their decisions put them in danger. The story also deals sensitively with legitimate concerns around medications that are used to treat conditions such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The drugs can stabilize an erratic personality, but at what cost to creativity? For some, like poor brilliant Sam, the tradeoff is terrible.

In short, this is a highly realistic, extremely effective depiction of what mental illness can be like for both persons who suffer from it and those who love and care for them, and it’s delivered in the form of a truly gripping story. I cannot recommend it more highly. Read this book.

[Melissa (Nissa_the.bookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
😢 are looking for an emotional read
🫥 have ever struggled with mental health
💃🏻 if you read and enjoyed Blurred Fates
📖 want a quick and compelling read

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

The day after she turns eighteen, Julia checks into an inpatient psychiatric facility, looking for answers to life’s most challenging questions. There, she finds Sam Lorenzo, another patient who attempted suicide. A brilliant, enigmatic photographer with a passion for poetry, labyrinths, and existential philosophy, Sam brings beauty and light back to Julia’s life. So when he asks her to escape with him on a cross-country odyssey to fulfill their dreams, she agrees. Before she can absorb what she’s done, the two young lovers are on the run.

For Julia’s stoic mother, Laura, this jarring disappearance is another step into a world she doesn’t understand—a world of soul-baring therapy and medications that sometimes deal more pain than good. Laura soon discovers authorities will do little to nothing to help her, and in desperation, she forms an uneasy alliance with the sole person who has as much to lose as she does: Sam’s mother, Arabella. Armed with only a handful of clues—a photograph cut from its frame, a second-chance bucket list, and a cryptic text from an unknown sender—the two women embark on a journey of their own, hoping to save their children before they are lost forever. 

• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

I loved Anastasia’s Blurred Fates so I knew that I was going to love this one! It was a hard hitting and emotional read but full of a lot of heart. As someone who attempted too, I really felt for Julia and her story. I enjoyed the love story that formed between her and Sam, as it felt so real and relatable. Overall, I recommend this one if you’re looking for a deep and emotional read.

[Leslie Nack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story stopped me cold. I have known about THE OTHER SIDE OF NOTHING since it was released but have been reluctant to read it because my family suffers from mental illness. But I was happily surprised as I read this engaging, deep, sensitive story about two young adults navigating their lives.

The main character, Sam, is described as multi-sensory by his mother. He has extra sensitivity to the world which causes him to act out differently than other children. Sam is brilliant, intuitive, charismatic, empathic, and determined but overwhelmed by the amount of information he can process. There are labels today like autistic, bipolar, adhd, and others, but what if there was another way to embrace and understand these special children?

Consider for a moment that humanity is on a dynamic continuum, meaning humans change and evolve. Why couldn’t some of today's children be born with heightened sensory perception or even additional senses—what some call Indigo Children?

Sam can’t find his place in the world because the answer to all things is medication which dulls him and makes him sick inside. Medication isn’t the answer. These children need more time and space than what our fast-paced lives can offer. Thank you to the author for writing a character who embodies a new way. Sam is a pioneer. Pioneers of new times have it the worst because they are first and nobody understands them. Five stars. I highly recommend this book.

[Susan Ballard (subakkabookstuff) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an important book - powerful, captivating, and heartbreaking. With compassion, it details the struggles, complexities, and realities of mental illness.

The story centers around Julia, now eighteen, who attempted suicide and then entered an inpatient mental health facility. There, she meets Sam, an intelligent young man who loves photography. The two connect with their love of art and philosophy. Then Sam convinces Julia to leave the facility and travel to Yosemite National Park, without a word to anyone.

Before too long, Julia realized this was not the romantic love story she hoped for. Sam, who is not taking his medications, is becoming unpredictable and even aggressive. She needs help.


We hear the voices of Julia, her mother, and Sam’s mom. The author does a great job showing how hard it was for Julia’s mom to know what to do and what to say. It captures the pain of all involved.

This is not an easy read: I would caution those of you who might find discussions of depression, mood disorder, and suicide to be triggers. Yet I recommend this book as it shines a light on the need for people to understand and talk about mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling, please get help.

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @anastasiazadeik for a spot on tour and a gifted book.

[Karen Mckinney]

This book, although dealing with mental illness, was not depressing. It was extraordinarily moving and gave insight into the way someone’s mind is working, someone …the main character …who is at once fantastically, brilliant and at the same time suffering from mental illness. The story was woven together beautifully between the two young kids, dealing with challenges and their parents who desperately love them and try to understand and rescue them at the same time as giving them room to be the extraordinary people they are and face that life, no matter if you are saying or suffering from mental illnesses impossibly hard. The author writes beautifully and weaves together lots of other artistic mediums, including photography, art, philosophy, and literature, and even poetry to weave together the brilliance of this storyline this is a book one won’t forget and will stay with you for a long time. It carries romance, suspense, And ultimately a take away, and a meaning that is bigger than the storyline itself
. I loved the book and applaud the author for such a gorgeous story of depth and meaning. I felt for every character and rooted for them all. A book very well worth reading and rereading I recommend !!!

[Carl Vonderau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anastasia Zadeik gives a tour de force depiction of mental illness in a thriller structure. Julia is an eighteen-year-old in a psychiatric facility after attempting suicide following the death of her adored father. She meets Sam, a mercurial and brilliant photographer, who persuades her to accompany him on a quest to re-envision Ansel Adams' iconic photograph of Half Dome. Other points of view depict the two mothers desperately trying to rescue and reconnect with their lost children. This is a portrayal of how a young woman can succumb to the manic energy of an older, mentally-ill man while exploring the philosophy and literature that drive them. Sam reminds me of Nathan in Styron’s Sophie’s Choice. The Other Side of Nothing heavily references Camus’ The Myth of Sisyphus, as well as other art and literature. Is life without meaning worth living, or is it the search for meaning that gives it value? What is the significance of art? How does one live every moment to most fully experience being alive? These are issues that Julia must explore to grow into becoming a woman. I highly recommend this novel.

[Suzanne Parry · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exploration of mental illness within a dynamic cross-country chase, this book is the story of two young adults who, having fallen in love while undergoing treatment, decide to cling to each other as they struggle to make sense of their lives. The author is particularly adept with her characters, unspooling the inner lives of both Julia and Sam, the two young adults, as well as their mothers, who band together to try to find their children before something happens. And we know that something is going to happen because the author reveals Sam’s illness and his history in a gripping, terrifying way that propels the reader toward the story’s conclusion with each revelation. This is a tale of mental illness, but also of love and family, and how secrets and misunderstandings can wreak havoc in our lives. Zadeik has given us a careening freight train of a novel that unveils the human condition bit by bit. Propulsive, detailed, and eye-opening, The Other Side of Nothing is a jewel of understanding and compassion.

[Gail McCormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Side of Nothing, by Anastasia Zadeik, is a deeply poignant and thought-provoking novel that takes readers into a world of love, loss, and mental illness. The story follows two young lovers—an 18-year-old woman grappling with the weight of an unbearable loss, and a brilliant photographer, who meet as patients in a psychiatric facility. Through their relationship, Zadeik delivers a nuanced exploration of their two variations of debilitating depression and treatment choices, capturing each character’s humanity and pain with authentic precision. A secondary theme of literature and art elevates the beauty of this captivating story. Loaded with invaluable insights into mental illness and its toll on relationships, The Other Side of Nothing is a much-needed contribution to the dismantling of stigma that too often prevents people from seeking life-saving treatment. Highly recommended.

[Dawnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julia is just eighteen, and she suffers with depression from the loss of her father. When she checks into a psychiatric facility for help, she meets Sam, a twenty -three- year old photographer, who has survived a suicide attempt. Through art, music and poetry, Julia and Sam fall in love. Sam convinces Julia to leave the facility with him on a cross country journey that might not end well. Desperate to save their children their mother's set out to find them. I really like how this is centered on mental illness, what it does to a person, what it does to their family, and the very difficult road of dealing with it. A fast read. I couldn't put it down. I just had to know how it would end. A story of young love, the arts, family and mental illness. I highly recommend.

Dawnny Ruby
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since her father died, 18-year-old Julia can’t cope with life. After a suicide attempt, she ends up in a mental hospital. There she meets the charming Sam, also a patient, who charms her through their mutual love of art and convinces her to leave the hospital with him. Soon he has talked her into taking a cross-country trip from New York to Yosemite, where he hopes to take even better photographs than the famous Ansel Adams did. But he was in the hospital for good reason. As he becomes increasingly erratic, Julia finds herself trapped with no phone, no money, and no way to get home. Meanwhile, their frantic mothers band together to find them. I read this book in less than a day. I could not stop until I found out what happened. Zadeik is a skilled writer who gets you deep inside the characters while constantly ramping up the suspense. Highly recommended.

[Laura Engel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Anastasia Zadeik’s books, and I must say this book grabbed me from the beginning. As a mother impacted by suicide, I hesitated to read “The Other Side of Nothing” worried it would be difficult for me, but I am so thankful I read it. This superb story is heartbreaking but so important because it bravely, as well as emotionally, explores the depths of mother love, parental love, young love, grief, mental illness, and suicide. Some of these extremely complex issues are difficult to write about and talk about because of the stigma attached to them and Zadeik has managed to do this beautifully while creating an excellent and interesting story that is hard to put down. This book made me cry, laugh, hope, and think and that is what the best books do. I promise the characters will stay with you long after you finish this amazing book.

[Ann Bancroft · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Side of Nothing is a deeply moving story of love, grief, coming of age and coming to grips with a heartbreaking mental illness. Anastasia Zadeik has created beautifully complex characters and relationships in this riveting story of two young lovers struggling with depression and bipolar disorder. They ditch a treatment center and cross the country on a manic quest for a meaningful new beginning, and their mothers become unlikely friends as they frantically try to track the couple down. Zadeik shows great empathy and insight into mental illness, bringing readers into thought processes that are fascinating, if unfamiliar. It’s a story that will keep you spellbound while reading, and the characters will stay with you long after you are done.

[Miss W Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Side of Nothing by Anastasia Zadeik is a complex, multi-layered novel that I found very intriguing.

The author deftly addresses mental illness and how art and music can act as therapy tools.
The author describes how medicine, therapy and art therapy all can bring one from the darkness.

The story follows 18 year old Julia and 23 year old Sam. The two meet in therapy and then leave together.

This is such an incredible novel. One that truly explores the darkest deepest depths of mental illness and the light and joy that can be found on the other side.

I highly related to this book and the characters.

Such a compelling, thought-provoking book.

[Krista Hajjar-Nejad · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Other Side of Nothing is a definite page-turner. It encompasses grief, loss, young love, and the depths of mental illness. Anastasia Zadeik has created the perfect character, Julia Reeves, whose story is beyond devastating. I was moved by her relentless determination and strength. She just wants to be heard, understood, and be able to find some meaning within her life after the loss of her Dad. The characters really came alive and were very relatable. I loved the connection between Julia and Sam.

This book was so powerful. It is truly an important book about mental illness and suicide that is not talked about often enough. I highly recommend reading!

[Marijke McCandless · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I love about this book is it is what I think of as invisible writing--I mean that I am immediately drawn into the story and the characters in such a way that the book is a movie in my head. I love writing that whisks me away so completely. I've had the busiest of weeks and each night I look forward to drawing a bath and diving back in to The Other Side of Nothing. Zadeik is an incredibly talented writer, who doesn't steer away from unpopular topics and instead makes us take another look, someone helping us feel compassion for all the different viewpoints. Brilliant! Plus it has Yosemite on the front!

[Susan W. Friedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anastasia Zadeik has written a beautiful novel about the complexities, confusion, and struggles with mental illness, grief, and loss from both the clients' and the parents' perspectives in a sensitive, loving, and compassionate manner while simultaneously exploring the psychological history and dynamics of all her characters. THE OTHER SIDE OF NOTHING is an intriguing story you will not want to put down, one which also addresses a quite misunderstood world that is not often openly discussed- the psychological world of extreme and dark emotions and the understandable fear of those who love the people suffering from them.

[Michelle Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a serious page-turner! Two mothers team up in a race across country to find their missing young adult children who have escaped from a mental facility. Zadeik writes about mental illness in a way that is chillingly beleivable and yet compassionate. I found myself relating not only to the struggling kids, but to the parents who are trying to understand and who love them no matter what. This is a superb book about family, mental health, and, ultimately of hope. You won't be able to put it down! Highly recommended.

[Jody Hadlock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am intimately familiar with mental illness as it runs in my family, so I was nodding my head the whole time I was reading The Other Side of Nothing. Mental illness is still something we don’t talk about enough. Anastasia Zadeik tackles it head-on in this moving portrayal of two suicidal young adults searching for meaning in their lives. With sensitivity and compassion, the author explores the effects of the demon of mental illness not just on the patients but also on their loved ones. Heartbreaking yet also hopeful, The Other Side of Nothing takes the reader on an unforgettable journey.