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The Episode: A True Story of Loss, Madness and Healing
Brought to you by Penguin.
It could happen to anyone.
One fine April day, Mary Ann Kenny’s husband died suddenly while jogging near their family home. In the months that followed, Mary Ann – who had no history of mental illness – began suffering from depression, and then from a terrifying succession of physical and psychological symptoms, including the delusion that her young children had been harmed by her medications.
In this gripping memoir, Mary Ann details her descent into psychosis, her hopitalization, and her inspiring journey back to health and happiness. Drawing on her detailed medical files and on her own recollections, she has created a day-by-day account of what it is like to lose touch with reality while dealing with grief and living in the dreadful knowledge that everything you care about in life is under threat. And The Episode tells the inspiring story of how Mary Ann recovered from her illness, came to terms with her trauma, and spoke truth to the health service about the limitations of medical psychiatry. It reminds us that anyone could end up in Mary Ann’s situation, while also showing that recovery and happiness are possible even after severe mental illness.
Written with the pace of a thriller and the insight of a great psychological novel, The Episode is a brilliant act of personal reclamation and an essential read for anyone who is interested in the workings of the mind.
'A it hits you right in the heart' Katriona O'Sullivan, author of Poor
'A deeply moving, often terrifying account of grief, illness, and recovery, this vivid memoir carries the reader so close to its unfolding events that it quickens the breath.' Doireann Ní Ghríofa, author of A Ghost in the Throat
''The Episode is a deeply insightful, clear-sighted and immersive account of grief and psychosis. It would be harrowing if not so beautifully written. I've never read anything quite like it.' Patrick Freyne, author of OK, Let's Do Your Stupid Idea
Mary Ann Kenny 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025
It could happen to anyone.
One fine April day, Mary Ann Kenny’s husband died suddenly while jogging near their family home. In the months that followed, Mary Ann – who had no history of mental illness – began suffering from depression, and then from a terrifying succession of physical and psychological symptoms, including the delusion that her young children had been harmed by her medications.
In this gripping memoir, Mary Ann details her descent into psychosis, her hopitalization, and her inspiring journey back to health and happiness. Drawing on her detailed medical files and on her own recollections, she has created a day-by-day account of what it is like to lose touch with reality while dealing with grief and living in the dreadful knowledge that everything you care about in life is under threat. And The Episode tells the inspiring story of how Mary Ann recovered from her illness, came to terms with her trauma, and spoke truth to the health service about the limitations of medical psychiatry. It reminds us that anyone could end up in Mary Ann’s situation, while also showing that recovery and happiness are possible even after severe mental illness.
Written with the pace of a thriller and the insight of a great psychological novel, The Episode is a brilliant act of personal reclamation and an essential read for anyone who is interested in the workings of the mind.
'A it hits you right in the heart' Katriona O'Sullivan, author of Poor
'A deeply moving, often terrifying account of grief, illness, and recovery, this vivid memoir carries the reader so close to its unfolding events that it quickens the breath.' Doireann Ní Ghríofa, author of A Ghost in the Throat
''The Episode is a deeply insightful, clear-sighted and immersive account of grief and psychosis. It would be harrowing if not so beautifully written. I've never read anything quite like it.' Patrick Freyne, author of OK, Let's Do Your Stupid Idea
Mary Ann Kenny 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025
Audible Audio
Published May 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 31, 2025
I received this book as a gift from Penguin Snug Ireland and boy was I glad. Thank you, Penguin. I have never read anything like The Episode by Mary Ann Kenny. It’s dark, sad, and at times terrifying-because it’s all true. Unbelievably nonfiction, this book documents Mary Ann’s descent into, and recovery from psychosis after her husband died suddenly in 2015. She details her experience with stark, unflinching honesty and I was enthralled. A truly gripping memoir.
Mary Ann understandably can't remember much of the time so she pieces her story together using quotes taken from her own medical records and the hazy memories she does have. A haunting and powerful choice that highlights the deep disconnect between the clinical language of medical psychiatry and the real human experience. Her writing is frank, raw, and shame-free, because there should never be shame in talking about metal health.
I’m so sorry this happened to you, Mary Ann. I’m so sorry our health service couldn’t do better. Listen to women when they tell you they are experiencing pain. For the love of God, listen to us. Something in me tells me this is a very important book. And I’m so glad it exists. It's a game changer. Thank you, Mary Ann for sharing your amazing story. For being a shining light of a voice in the dark when so many have no voice at all. 🫂 ✨
This one will stay with you. 🩵
Mary Ann understandably can't remember much of the time so she pieces her story together using quotes taken from her own medical records and the hazy memories she does have. A haunting and powerful choice that highlights the deep disconnect between the clinical language of medical psychiatry and the real human experience. Her writing is frank, raw, and shame-free, because there should never be shame in talking about metal health.
I’m so sorry this happened to you, Mary Ann. I’m so sorry our health service couldn’t do better. Listen to women when they tell you they are experiencing pain. For the love of God, listen to us. Something in me tells me this is a very important book. And I’m so glad it exists. It's a game changer. Thank you, Mary Ann for sharing your amazing story. For being a shining light of a voice in the dark when so many have no voice at all. 🫂 ✨
This one will stay with you. 🩵
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2025
Listened via audio and Mary read this herself. Very well written and a good insight into how poor our mental health services are in Ireland.
June 5, 2025
A brave and highly relatable account (to those of us who have experienced inpatient psychiatric care in Ireland) of severe mental illness and recovery.
September 23, 2025
Good read
July 5, 2025
As a psychotherapist, this was a maddening read at times. Her story is one of bravery and resilience. The mental health services that treated her need to learn from this.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews