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Hello, Old Friend
Eve looked out the window. She wondered, why did she continue to come here? All the while her doctor drolled on and on about her goals for the week. Her depression lingered over her entire life, like a swarm of flies. Constantly ticking and buzzing in her ears, crawling over her skin, biting her where she couldn’t reach. She thought once she stopped taking chemical medication and moved on to talk therapy things would improve, so far they remained about the same. She just had more homework assignments...
Plagued by irrational fears, anxiety, and depression; Eve, a mentally ill eccentric, turns to Dr. Eustace Gish, in hopes of navigating her inner wounds and reuniting her fractured self. She follows his program, a series of six esoteric self-help discs that are designed to help those struggling to ascend to their higher selves.
Plagued by irrational fears, anxiety, and depression; Eve, a mentally ill eccentric, turns to Dr. Eustace Gish, in hopes of navigating her inner wounds and reuniting her fractured self. She follows his program, a series of six esoteric self-help discs that are designed to help those struggling to ascend to their higher selves.
73 pages, Paperback
Published August 27, 2020
12 people are currently reading
951 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Bedlam
92 books245 followersElizabeth Bedlam is a writer of satire, dark humor, and low-brow literary fiction. She has been featured in anthologies and zines that you've probably never heard of including Anti-This/Anti-That, Low Life, Horror Sleaze Trash, and Soiled Purity.
Her most-read works include Rabbit Skin Glue and Lucy the Satanist. She has been praised for her realistic depictions of neurotic females.
Elizabeth is a Michigan native. She currently lives and writes from Melbourne, AU.
Correspond!
Instagram: @elizabeth.bedlam or @swann.bedlam
Email: elizabethbedlam@gmail.com
Website: swannbedlam.com
Her most-read works include Rabbit Skin Glue and Lucy the Satanist. She has been praised for her realistic depictions of neurotic females.
Elizabeth is a Michigan native. She currently lives and writes from Melbourne, AU.
Correspond!
Instagram: @elizabeth.bedlam or @swann.bedlam
Email: elizabethbedlam@gmail.com
Website: swannbedlam.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
December 28, 2020
⭐4. 5 So bleak! Stars⭐
Poor Eve. She's suffering from some pretty debilitating depression and anxiety.
She wants to improve, she's regularly going to therapy and following her doctor's advice but it's just not working.
Until she's given a set of six self-help disks that seem life changing.
But are the disks helpful or cursed?
I don't actually know because Eve is a VERY unreliable narrator and it's not clear what's real and what isn't.
Excellently written short story from a convincingly disturbed point of view.
Thanks for recommending it to me Ian!!
Walk on!
Poor Eve. She's suffering from some pretty debilitating depression and anxiety.
She wants to improve, she's regularly going to therapy and following her doctor's advice but it's just not working.
Until she's given a set of six self-help disks that seem life changing.
But are the disks helpful or cursed?
I don't actually know because Eve is a VERY unreliable narrator and it's not clear what's real and what isn't.
Excellently written short story from a convincingly disturbed point of view.
Thanks for recommending it to me Ian!!
Walk on!
March 15, 2021
This is a very true to life portrait of depression, anxiety and mania. The main character, Liz, suffers from all of the above. Not even Liz's psychiatrist can help her escape her feelings of mental oppression and mood swings. A very unstable friend introduces Liz to a six disc program to "wellness." Enter the serpent. Liz's actions as she watches the CDs and follows the instructions are increasingly erratic, and we just know that things are not going to end well. Bedlam does a wonderful job of portraying a life in distress, but not without a bold dose of dark humor. Her books are always a treat to read, and this is one of my favorites.
June 16, 2021
Hello, Old Friend is a devastatingly dark and entertaining psychological horror.
Eve suffers from Borderline Personality Disorder with bouts of depression, anxiety and mania. So when an acquittance offers an alternate therapy in the form of video disks, Eve takes it.
Snakes in the belly, eating you up. A God in your head, now you're dead. Dead. DEAD!
The author take us on a terrifying descent into madness in this twisted short story. It's atmospheric, claustrophobic, and disturbingly wrong. I enjoyed every word! Elizabeth Bedlam, where have you been all my life?!
Eve suffers from Borderline Personality Disorder with bouts of depression, anxiety and mania. So when an acquittance offers an alternate therapy in the form of video disks, Eve takes it.
Snakes in the belly, eating you up. A God in your head, now you're dead. Dead. DEAD!
The author take us on a terrifying descent into madness in this twisted short story. It's atmospheric, claustrophobic, and disturbingly wrong. I enjoyed every word! Elizabeth Bedlam, where have you been all my life?!
July 30, 2021
Very impressed and very moved.
That’s the best way to describe my reaction to Hello, Old Friend. This novella, I implore you, is best read right before, While the Plants Were Dying. And read them together, this one then While the Plants Were Dying. That’s what I did and I found the reading experience that much more captivating, disturbing, and enjoyable for doing so. This story is enormously creative.
Okay, so I will just make a quick comment to get it out of the way before I gush. Yes, this story probably could have benefited from another read-through to pick up some writing snags. That, however, to me, did not substantively detract from what I got out of this.
Hello, Old Friend introduces us to three primary characters—the main character, Eve, Dr. Rutt, and finally, Dr. Gish. Eve is a very sympathetic character. One you can’t help but pity, want to help, and on some level respect for the resilience she has shown up until the time the story starts. Dr. Rutt is her psychiatrist, a pretty compelling character in this volume.
And then there’s Dr. Gish. Boy I really hope Bedlam continues with this sort of series. I will totally read that. Dr. Gish is part enigma, part charlatan, part creepy-ass villain. And I do mean creepy. Holy crap!
Hello, Old Friend is structured according to some self-help discs that Eve comes across and then starts. I like that the book starts with “Chapter 0” to signify what Eve is like and what she goes through prior to discovering the discs. Each chapter follows Eve as she listens to discs and Dr. Gish’s successive levels of “advice.” The discs. The discs are the medium that Dr. Gish conveys his self-help messages. Only, There are six in all and with each disc Eve seems like she is doing well, but … well, you probably guessed it. The story pulls you along, at times confused, scared, pissed off, and hopeless.
As other reviewers have noted, Bedlam has a keen keen, keen mind and insight into psychological conditions, thought processes. Good grief that made this powerful. She does a masterful job of portraying Eve’s inner dialogue in such a way that her mania and issues seem so normal to her. And at the same time, I as a reader, felt connected to her thoughts yet somehow outside of her, like I was a parrot perched on Eve’s shoulder with a WI FI connection to Eve’s brain. That creative gift she possesses will serve her well in the future, I suspect.
Totally recommend this and While the Plants Were Dying.
That’s the best way to describe my reaction to Hello, Old Friend. This novella, I implore you, is best read right before, While the Plants Were Dying. And read them together, this one then While the Plants Were Dying. That’s what I did and I found the reading experience that much more captivating, disturbing, and enjoyable for doing so. This story is enormously creative.
Okay, so I will just make a quick comment to get it out of the way before I gush. Yes, this story probably could have benefited from another read-through to pick up some writing snags. That, however, to me, did not substantively detract from what I got out of this.
Hello, Old Friend introduces us to three primary characters—the main character, Eve, Dr. Rutt, and finally, Dr. Gish. Eve is a very sympathetic character. One you can’t help but pity, want to help, and on some level respect for the resilience she has shown up until the time the story starts. Dr. Rutt is her psychiatrist, a pretty compelling character in this volume.
And then there’s Dr. Gish. Boy I really hope Bedlam continues with this sort of series. I will totally read that. Dr. Gish is part enigma, part charlatan, part creepy-ass villain. And I do mean creepy. Holy crap!
Hello, Old Friend is structured according to some self-help discs that Eve comes across and then starts. I like that the book starts with “Chapter 0” to signify what Eve is like and what she goes through prior to discovering the discs. Each chapter follows Eve as she listens to discs and Dr. Gish’s successive levels of “advice.” The discs. The discs are the medium that Dr. Gish conveys his self-help messages. Only, There are six in all and with each disc Eve seems like she is doing well, but … well, you probably guessed it. The story pulls you along, at times confused, scared, pissed off, and hopeless.
As other reviewers have noted, Bedlam has a keen keen, keen mind and insight into psychological conditions, thought processes. Good grief that made this powerful. She does a masterful job of portraying Eve’s inner dialogue in such a way that her mania and issues seem so normal to her. And at the same time, I as a reader, felt connected to her thoughts yet somehow outside of her, like I was a parrot perched on Eve’s shoulder with a WI FI connection to Eve’s brain. That creative gift she possesses will serve her well in the future, I suspect.
Totally recommend this and While the Plants Were Dying.
November 30, 2020
*
She picked up the folder to take home with her. She sighed, she couldn’t help them all. She wondered what the murders and suicide would do to the house value.
She picked up the folder to take home with her. She sighed, she couldn’t help them all. She wondered what the murders and suicide would do to the house value.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2020
TAKE YOUR CAMERAS OUT OF MY HOUSE, BEDLAM!!!
December 18, 2020
‘Eve’s dropping right off the radar!’
A simply quite stunning unique, little dark tale recording one young lady’s alternative approach on coming to terms with the deep rooted issues of anxiety and depression.
Eve has issues that need to be addressed - no problem. Enter the mysterious 6 CD course of alternative self-help.
Great characters, wonderful story, gory action and also a touch of the supernaturals, all wrapped up together in a warm blanket of highly impressive imaginative creativity that makes the reader just wanting for more. Gobsmacked - I just didn’t see the final very clever twist and reveal coming - excellent!
Yep, just loved it and planning to read much more from this very talented, unorthodox, young writer.
Simply brilliant - thank you, Elizabeth B!
Rating: 5 fully bright and glowing, big, big stars.
A simply quite stunning unique, little dark tale recording one young lady’s alternative approach on coming to terms with the deep rooted issues of anxiety and depression.
Eve has issues that need to be addressed - no problem. Enter the mysterious 6 CD course of alternative self-help.
Great characters, wonderful story, gory action and also a touch of the supernaturals, all wrapped up together in a warm blanket of highly impressive imaginative creativity that makes the reader just wanting for more. Gobsmacked - I just didn’t see the final very clever twist and reveal coming - excellent!
Yep, just loved it and planning to read much more from this very talented, unorthodox, young writer.
Simply brilliant - thank you, Elizabeth B!
Rating: 5 fully bright and glowing, big, big stars.
July 7, 2021
My first from indie horror author Elizabeth Bedlam, but definitely not my last. Short but certainly not sweet story of Eve’s attempt to escape her crippling psychiatric problems using a set of six self help discs. Not everything goes to plan, or does it? I do get why some people complain about the grammar and editing. I have friends who are really affected by those things. Luckily, it’s something that doesn’t bother me if the story is engrossing, and this one is.
February 27, 2022
"Snakes in the belly eating you up a God in your head now you're dead". Elizabeth Bedlam is a fucking insanely smart intellectual writer and is one of the best when it comes to psychological horror. This was a bleak dark sad and horrific descent into psychological madness..... I really don't know what to say except read more Elizabeth Bedlam she writes with a slow burn that draws you in that makes you feel uncomfortable but safe and then all the sudden it just explodes like someone put gas over a bonfire. Just Fuckin POOOF and then it's over ...just awesome Bedlam never disappoints 5 dark stars for me.
February 1, 2021
A walk along a dark path
This story starts out depressing, but what you don't know is the beginning is the brightest part. Bedlam creates such a vast, sucking hole of depression the reader feels like they can step right into it. She captures the mental health aspect wonderfully and uses every word in this novella to build amazing character depth. The violence is fast, abrupt and brutal, sprinkled in perfectly. Definitely a must read for psychological horror fans.
This story starts out depressing, but what you don't know is the beginning is the brightest part. Bedlam creates such a vast, sucking hole of depression the reader feels like they can step right into it. She captures the mental health aspect wonderfully and uses every word in this novella to build amazing character depth. The violence is fast, abrupt and brutal, sprinkled in perfectly. Definitely a must read for psychological horror fans.
October 17, 2020
Another disquieting masterpiece from Elizabeth Bedlam who disturbingly portrays life's broken souls with startling accuracy. She's fast becoming one of my favorite writers.
March 3, 2021
This is odd but in a good way. Only a short book which flows along at a decent pace and the outcome although not obvious at the very start does fall into place as you go along so no great twist at the end, but a good solid ending nonetheless.
Eve our protagonist and narrator is a great character, an eccentric person, sad but I found her really likeable, amusing even - she reminded me a bit of Eleanor from Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine, but this much more hardcore and odd (did I say odd already?). The writing, and indeed Eve’s narration was very matter of fact and down to earth and also endearing.
This is a wacky mix with some depressing themes but written in an oddly light hearted and amusing way. Very enjoyable. Evil lurks here but don’t be afraid!
In summary odd but very good. (Odd is the word!)
4.5, rounded up to 5*/5
Eve our protagonist and narrator is a great character, an eccentric person, sad but I found her really likeable, amusing even - she reminded me a bit of Eleanor from Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine, but this much more hardcore and odd (did I say odd already?). The writing, and indeed Eve’s narration was very matter of fact and down to earth and also endearing.
This is a wacky mix with some depressing themes but written in an oddly light hearted and amusing way. Very enjoyable. Evil lurks here but don’t be afraid!
In summary odd but very good. (Odd is the word!)
4.5, rounded up to 5*/5
January 4, 2021
A darkly humorous self-help horror story.
Eve thinks she’s found a means of escape from her mental illness purgatory when a suicidal maniac hands her a series of bootleg DVDs featuring the mysterious self-help guru Dr. Eustace Gish. But just what sort of ‘help’ do the tapes have to offer?
Hello, Old Friend is a unique psychological horror story oozing deliciously bitter black comedy. The prose is concise, with sprinkles of detail so vivid it’s like they’re being beamed into your visual cortex. The story itself is intriguing and compulsively readable, with no fat on it whatsoever. An absolute treat for lovers of the bleak and macabre. Did I mention it’s also quite funny?
Eve thinks she’s found a means of escape from her mental illness purgatory when a suicidal maniac hands her a series of bootleg DVDs featuring the mysterious self-help guru Dr. Eustace Gish. But just what sort of ‘help’ do the tapes have to offer?
Hello, Old Friend is a unique psychological horror story oozing deliciously bitter black comedy. The prose is concise, with sprinkles of detail so vivid it’s like they’re being beamed into your visual cortex. The story itself is intriguing and compulsively readable, with no fat on it whatsoever. An absolute treat for lovers of the bleak and macabre. Did I mention it’s also quite funny?
May 23, 2025
That was... distressing...
Whoever has never seen or experienced mania cannot possibly know what it is. This novella is a full-blown manic episode lashed on your face. You descend the through the stages with Eve, step by step.
Add a doctor who may not really want to help her and... Read it yourself to find out ^^
Whoever has never seen or experienced mania cannot possibly know what it is. This novella is a full-blown manic episode lashed on your face. You descend the through the stages with Eve, step by step.
Add a doctor who may not really want to help her and... Read it yourself to find out ^^
April 13, 2021
I finished Hello, Old Friend by Elizabeth Bedlam. A very interesting take on depression and mental illness. It’s very much a “hello darkness, my old friend”, type book. I think if mental illness can be described as anything, a serpent is a good representation. It tells the story of a mentally ill woman, who is coping using taught skills from her therapist. She is introduced to a new type of “therapy”. Guaranteed to make her reach the utmost goal of happiness. A mentally ill person, who is no longer taking their meds, no longer going to therapy, and no longer using their coping skills....what else can happen? But a trek into madness. It was horrifying in a much different way. Not in the blood and guts way (even though there’s some of that), it’s watching the breakdown of a person already teetering on the edge. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be reading more from this author. 5 bloody hearts 🫀🫀🫀🫀🫀
March 19, 2022
Eve is an eccentric author plagued by crippling depression, anxiety and bouts of mania. Interacting with her neighbors and community service isn't helping. Talking with her satanist neighbors and a bizarre internet penpal doesn't help. Not even her regular therapy checkups are working out for her anymore. She's growing worse and worse everyday, struggling to find a reason to keep living. Things take a turn for the best when her friend tells her about the self-help cds she's been watching from a mysterious man known as Dr. Eustace Gish. With no other options, Eve allows the miracle teachings of Dr. Gish to take control of her in hopes of finding the missing pieces of her broken soul.
A good psychological thriller novella with lots of nihilistic humor to keep it from getting too depressing. While Eve's behavior is often inexcusable, her breakdowns and frustration towards tedious interactions with people and the world are relatable. It's hard not to sympathize with her. The story also introduces some crazy spiritual surrealism involving a snake that feeds on negative energy.
What made me drop my rating a bit is the numerous grammar issues and lack of paragraph breaks. I can look past a few spelling errors no problem, but there were times when the misspells led to incorrect information being presented like the cd number Eve was watching or accidentally referring to a speaker as a him when a woman was speaking or a her when a man was talking. Then the complete lack of paragraph breaks led to a lot of scene changes, perspective changes and time skips without any hint that they were happening which often threw me off or took me out of my immersion.
Pretty good overall, but could've definitely used an editor.
A good psychological thriller novella with lots of nihilistic humor to keep it from getting too depressing. While Eve's behavior is often inexcusable, her breakdowns and frustration towards tedious interactions with people and the world are relatable. It's hard not to sympathize with her. The story also introduces some crazy spiritual surrealism involving a snake that feeds on negative energy.
What made me drop my rating a bit is the numerous grammar issues and lack of paragraph breaks. I can look past a few spelling errors no problem, but there were times when the misspells led to incorrect information being presented like the cd number Eve was watching or accidentally referring to a speaker as a him when a woman was speaking or a her when a man was talking. Then the complete lack of paragraph breaks led to a lot of scene changes, perspective changes and time skips without any hint that they were happening which often threw me off or took me out of my immersion.
Pretty good overall, but could've definitely used an editor.
March 5, 2021
This is my first book by this author, and I really enjoyed it. I feel like there are many ways the reader can interpret this story.
So.. it’s a horror book. Mental illness is the monster. Depression, anxiety, and possibly schizophrenia? Supernatural is possible, because it’s a book, right? But I can’t be positive because of the mental illness. Does anyone really know since it’s from Eves point of view (till the end) anyways)? Was it all in her head the whole time? Or am I just thinking way to much into it. Read it and let me know your thoughts.
So.. it’s a horror book. Mental illness is the monster. Depression, anxiety, and possibly schizophrenia? Supernatural is possible, because it’s a book, right? But I can’t be positive because of the mental illness. Does anyone really know since it’s from Eves point of view (till the end) anyways)? Was it all in her head the whole time? Or am I just thinking way to much into it. Read it and let me know your thoughts.
March 28, 2021
This was a cool mind bending little short read. Elizabeth does a great job with creating anxiety/mania and ocd type main character. Definitely want to check out some of her other work!
December 29, 2024
THIS IS MY KIND OF WEIRD!!! 👏👏👏 Shes spiraling. Off her fucking rocker, slipping out of reality and being happy and free to be on the edge about to jump into headline worthy madness. Cult like batshit crazy self-help DVDs on the sacrifices you must make to rid yourself of this world and move on to the next plane of existence.
June 6, 2021
"Hello, old friend. I'm so pleased to be seeing you again. How have you been feeling?"
If you ever go on a lunch date with a friend of yours and she slides this plain looking envelope across the table. Just slide it right back over to her. Get up and exit the building as fast as you can. No lolly gagging around, exit stage right in a hurry!!
This little gem starts out one way and ends in a totally different direction. This is my second read by Bedlam and I will continue to gobble her stuff up. I don't know how she isn't more popular of a author or has more reviews on here. I am diggin her writing style!
Happy Reading and Splatter On.....
If you ever go on a lunch date with a friend of yours and she slides this plain looking envelope across the table. Just slide it right back over to her. Get up and exit the building as fast as you can. No lolly gagging around, exit stage right in a hurry!!
This little gem starts out one way and ends in a totally different direction. This is my second read by Bedlam and I will continue to gobble her stuff up. I don't know how she isn't more popular of a author or has more reviews on here. I am diggin her writing style!
Happy Reading and Splatter On.....
January 30, 2021
Hello, Old Friend is courageous, outrageous, inflammatory and it's totally insane. A manic depressive agoraphobe inherits a five-disc DVD set of "self help" lectures, with each disc progressively sending her into a maelstrom of self mutilation, madness, paranoia, and ultimately murder.
I'm getting a little bit of a "fuck you" to Dr. Phil and Dr. Drew, well done. A little bit of The Ring, a little bit of Polanski's Repulsion, but mostly off the charts insanity. Damn. Succumb to the sickness that is Elizabeth Bedlam.
I'm getting a little bit of a "fuck you" to Dr. Phil and Dr. Drew, well done. A little bit of The Ring, a little bit of Polanski's Repulsion, but mostly off the charts insanity. Damn. Succumb to the sickness that is Elizabeth Bedlam.
May 31, 2021
After hearing about Elizabeth Bedlam on the Written in red podcast I knew I had to read her books. I bought the double feature with 2 novellas. I struggle with depression so I could totally relate to Eve. You never know where this story is going. Plus I really liked the relationship with her doctor. Eve finds some self help. This story was so original. The ending was great. Such great writing.
October 29, 2020
This is the first work from the author that I have read, and I really enjoyed it. Hooked me in early, and drug me through the gravel for the entire ride. I will definitely be checking out more from this author.
March 5, 2021
Easily the best book I've read all year!
I love horror. Ghosts, zombies, witches, chainsaw wielding madmen..all of it. What TRULY disturbs me though is losing touch with reality. Having a father diagnosed with Schizophrenia, it should come as no surprise. Growing up was...interesting. Because I am genetically predisposed, there is a real possibility I could get it or pass it on. I'm a few years older than he was when diagnosed but taking a breath of relief feels premature.. am I truly in the clear? What if I'm not here writing this now. It's all a figment of my imagination as my body lays in the hospital bed...too creepy to think about for long..not exactly how Schizophrenia works but mental illness is mental illness so..am I really here? Are you?
Eve's slow descent into madness is truly chilling. The story shows how easily that can happen. Big flashing red signs are not necessarily there. I dare you to find a better story. This one was amazing!
I love horror. Ghosts, zombies, witches, chainsaw wielding madmen..all of it. What TRULY disturbs me though is losing touch with reality. Having a father diagnosed with Schizophrenia, it should come as no surprise. Growing up was...interesting. Because I am genetically predisposed, there is a real possibility I could get it or pass it on. I'm a few years older than he was when diagnosed but taking a breath of relief feels premature.. am I truly in the clear? What if I'm not here writing this now. It's all a figment of my imagination as my body lays in the hospital bed...too creepy to think about for long..not exactly how Schizophrenia works but mental illness is mental illness so..am I really here? Are you?
Eve's slow descent into madness is truly chilling. The story shows how easily that can happen. Big flashing red signs are not necessarily there. I dare you to find a better story. This one was amazing!
November 29, 2020
Loved this book
A very different, yet brilliant, take on the monster that is depression. Thrown in with some supernatural thrills and quite a story. I am so glad I came a cross this author. Will definitely go read more by her.
A very different, yet brilliant, take on the monster that is depression. Thrown in with some supernatural thrills and quite a story. I am so glad I came a cross this author. Will definitely go read more by her.
March 14, 2021
Full Review
3.5 Stars
Despite my problems with the book, I enjoyed it overall and I finished the novella in one sitting. I think this is worth reading and I'll be picking more of Bedlam's works.
3.5 Stars
Despite my problems with the book, I enjoyed it overall and I finished the novella in one sitting. I think this is worth reading and I'll be picking more of Bedlam's works.
March 10, 2021
Writers writing about writers. This is one of the good ones, though. As I'm sure many others could, I saw a lot of myself in this story, in the protag, Eve, and the way she thought about storytelling. No story is original, even our own.
I enjoyed the creativity shown in this story. What starts off as relatively indulgent and desolate moods quickly grow to very well written, snarky meta humour, that takes a pop at the cult of 'think yourself better'. It's thoroughly entertaining and littered with wtf moments throughout.
I enjoyed the creativity shown in this story. What starts off as relatively indulgent and desolate moods quickly grow to very well written, snarky meta humour, that takes a pop at the cult of 'think yourself better'. It's thoroughly entertaining and littered with wtf moments throughout.
March 14, 2022
Well written horror, with a believably disjointed and unreliable narrator. I have no idea what was actually going on but it was great.
The irony was not lost on me that the narrator mocks people who don't proof-read their work, yet there were multiple spelling and grammatical mistakes in this book.
The irony was not lost on me that the narrator mocks people who don't proof-read their work, yet there were multiple spelling and grammatical mistakes in this book.
August 14, 2021
I enjoyed this quick read! It was a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a mentally ill woman.
July 21, 2024
Though she hasn't had a success in years, Eve is an author living comfortably on royalties from books she was able to publish some time ago. However, as she struggles to craft a new bestseller, she's also coping with her own mental health challenges and with just getting along with other people in general. She's wrestling with the internal conflict of writing a quality work of fiction or writing what she knows will sell, and she doesn't believe the two can be the same. An acquaintance she met at her therapist's office seems to have solved her own mental illness through a program on DVDs, and she's eager to share her success with Eve. She hands off the discs to Eve just before she takes her own life. Now, Eve is curious to see what the discs contain and find out what put her acquaintance in such a state of bliss right before her death.
This was a quick, fun read. The pacing was perfect because it felt like it was moving at the speed of Eve's manic thoughts. I was laughing out loud because she reminded me too much of myself in some of her quirks - ordering grocery delivery, being eternally flaky and cynical, and I could totally see myself emailing someone like Helvetius and then having the same reaction to his response that Eve did. It's funny, but it's also frightening because it highlights how easy it could be for a moderately stable person, just searching for a "fix" to their perceived inadequacies and desperate to accept whatever guidance is thrown their way (read: self-help industry) could be persuaded into psychotic homicidal spree.
This was a quick, fun read. The pacing was perfect because it felt like it was moving at the speed of Eve's manic thoughts. I was laughing out loud because she reminded me too much of myself in some of her quirks - ordering grocery delivery, being eternally flaky and cynical, and I could totally see myself emailing someone like Helvetius and then having the same reaction to his response that Eve did. It's funny, but it's also frightening because it highlights how easy it could be for a moderately stable person, just searching for a "fix" to their perceived inadequacies and desperate to accept whatever guidance is thrown their way (read: self-help industry) could be persuaded into psychotic homicidal spree.
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