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Grey
A collection of poems paired with photos expressing how we sometimes doubt ourselves, question our own existence, and even create fantasy worlds to escape from the depressive states we find ourselves in.
114 pages, Paperback
Published June 11, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 29, 2022
Depression is a serious matter that happens to any of us at some point in our lives. Oftentimes, though, the sufferer does not display external symptoms. He rather puts up a strong and happy front. For some reason, he prefers to suffer in silence instead of reaching out for help. In his book, Grey, the poet articulates the pain of someone suffering from a major depressive disorder. He expresses his ordeal in poetry and prose.
Grey is a collection of poems and prose written by Samuel Alexander. Whether he talks from experience or from someone else’s, the author presents the struggles brought about by depression.
A major depressive disorder is not something to take for granted. It’s a serious condition that needs to be addressed immediately. Oftentimes, however, it’s difficult to determine a person suffering from the illness. For some reason, they prefer to suffer in silence instead of seeking help. Or, they remain staying in denial. Thankfully, some people are courageous enough to channel their ordeal into certain outlets like writing. Just like what the poet does in Grey. Each poem in the book describes the suffering of the depressed person. The poet paints pictures of how his illness eats up at him.
Samuel Alexander begins his book with a section he labeled ‘Life’. All the poems in it reveal how the character develops the depressive disorder. Lost love and failures are major contributors to his suffering. Apart from these factors, the character reveals other situations that aggravated his depression, such as discrimination and indifference from others. The character in the poems even comes to the point of ending his life. His struggles are relatable to people suffering from mental illness.
Grey: The Book and the Author
The poems and prose presented in Grey depict real-life situations. According to the World Health Organization, around 280 million people worldwide suffer from a major depressive disorder.
I’m glad Samuel Alexander produced these poems. This helps raise awareness of the issues of depression and other mental problems. Readers can learn from the struggles of the victims of depressive disorder.
Hopefully, this book opens doors for the victims and support groups to come together. Although medical and psychological treatments help alleviate the sufferers’ condition, moral support is equally important to make them feel better. The healing process takes considerable time, and victims need all support as they go through it.
Personally, I see the book title as a symbol. Grey is the situation that the character in the verses is thrust into at the moment. He is neither on the bright side of life nor he’s in total darkness. The good thing about the character is that he keeps his faith, albeit he goes in and out of it. He also clings to hope no matter how obscure it seems to him. His situation is difficult as he’s going through the ordeal alone.
Moreover, I appreciate the author’s writing style. It’s free-flowing. The emotions he puts into each poem are intense. That’s why I suspect he writes from his own experience. I admit that his narrative somehow leaves my heart heavy with pity for those suffering from depression. On a positive note, I begin to understand these people better now.
The Book’s Rating
Meanwhile, on the technical side, I notice a handful of typographical errors in the book. Although these errors don’t affect the content much, the author needs to know where to improve his work. Apart from this minor flaw, I see Grey is worth reading.
Therefore, I give the book a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, and I highly recommend it to readers 18 years old and above. I don’t suggest it to younger readers due to some sensitive content.
Grey presents some lessons to learn from. For one, readers get to understand better the issue of mental illness, especially major depressive disorder. On the other hand, victims of depression who get to read Grey might feel relieved. Knowing they’re not suffering alone might encourage them to reach out and seek help.
NOTE: The above review is also found in The Catalyst.
Grey is a collection of poems and prose written by Samuel Alexander. Whether he talks from experience or from someone else’s, the author presents the struggles brought about by depression.
A major depressive disorder is not something to take for granted. It’s a serious condition that needs to be addressed immediately. Oftentimes, however, it’s difficult to determine a person suffering from the illness. For some reason, they prefer to suffer in silence instead of seeking help. Or, they remain staying in denial. Thankfully, some people are courageous enough to channel their ordeal into certain outlets like writing. Just like what the poet does in Grey. Each poem in the book describes the suffering of the depressed person. The poet paints pictures of how his illness eats up at him.
Samuel Alexander begins his book with a section he labeled ‘Life’. All the poems in it reveal how the character develops the depressive disorder. Lost love and failures are major contributors to his suffering. Apart from these factors, the character reveals other situations that aggravated his depression, such as discrimination and indifference from others. The character in the poems even comes to the point of ending his life. His struggles are relatable to people suffering from mental illness.
Grey: The Book and the Author
The poems and prose presented in Grey depict real-life situations. According to the World Health Organization, around 280 million people worldwide suffer from a major depressive disorder.
I’m glad Samuel Alexander produced these poems. This helps raise awareness of the issues of depression and other mental problems. Readers can learn from the struggles of the victims of depressive disorder.
Hopefully, this book opens doors for the victims and support groups to come together. Although medical and psychological treatments help alleviate the sufferers’ condition, moral support is equally important to make them feel better. The healing process takes considerable time, and victims need all support as they go through it.
Personally, I see the book title as a symbol. Grey is the situation that the character in the verses is thrust into at the moment. He is neither on the bright side of life nor he’s in total darkness. The good thing about the character is that he keeps his faith, albeit he goes in and out of it. He also clings to hope no matter how obscure it seems to him. His situation is difficult as he’s going through the ordeal alone.
Moreover, I appreciate the author’s writing style. It’s free-flowing. The emotions he puts into each poem are intense. That’s why I suspect he writes from his own experience. I admit that his narrative somehow leaves my heart heavy with pity for those suffering from depression. On a positive note, I begin to understand these people better now.
The Book’s Rating
Meanwhile, on the technical side, I notice a handful of typographical errors in the book. Although these errors don’t affect the content much, the author needs to know where to improve his work. Apart from this minor flaw, I see Grey is worth reading.
Therefore, I give the book a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, and I highly recommend it to readers 18 years old and above. I don’t suggest it to younger readers due to some sensitive content.
Grey presents some lessons to learn from. For one, readers get to understand better the issue of mental illness, especially major depressive disorder. On the other hand, victims of depression who get to read Grey might feel relieved. Knowing they’re not suffering alone might encourage them to reach out and seek help.
NOTE: The above review is also found in The Catalyst.
March 3, 2023
If you have ever suffered from depression or the dark side of life, you should read this book of poems. Samuel Alexander brings words that are dark and beautiful to the emotions and thoughts of the darkness, we as imperfect humans sometimes have. These poems were very relatable to seasons in my own life and I appreciate knowing that someone understands. Very talented poet. Reading these put me in mind of a modern day Edgar Allan Poe.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews