The Depression

by Mathias Svalina, Jon Pack (Photographer)

A dream-like collaboration of fables and photographs, and a surreal and shifting deep-dive into clinical depression, THE DEPRESSION absurdly expresses the mind and life as we both know it and don’t.

Genres: Poetry

124 pages, Paperback

Published February 17, 2020

Reviews

[Benjamin Niespodziany · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A kindly couple adopted a ruin."

"There was a man with gardens for feet."

"Two bison came into the bar."

Lovely (and often heartbreaking) fables in magical lands. Worlds where anything can happen. This is melancholic absurdism swimming in a pool of octopus ink and tears. The accompanying photographs enhance the isolation and loneliness, tossing the surreal down familiar streets. A wondrous winter read.

[Dave Madden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because looking at and being amid lonely places and feelings of loneliness makes the lonely somehow feel less lonely, five stars. I feel like maternity wards should issue this book to new parents.

[Matt McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Svalina's poetry because the poems always have a parable-like quality. This collection continues and hones that quality. The photographs compliment the poems well, not illlustrating them, but rather making them more expansive.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how weird and tender these surreal vignettes are. Each one, a window into a weird little soul.