All In the Mind

by Alastair Campbell

Alastair Campbell’s powerful first novel is a gripping portrait of the strange dependency between patient and doctor.

Martin Sturrock desperately needs a psychiatrist. The problem? He is one.

Emily is a traumatized burn victim; Arta a Kosovan refugee recovering from a rape. David Temple is a long term depressive, while the Rt. Hon. Ralph Hall MP lives in terror of his drinking problem being exposed. Very different Londoners, but they share one every week they spend an hour at the Prince Regent Hospital, revealing the secrets of their psyche to Professor Martin Sturrock. Little do they know that Sturrock’s own mind is not the reassuring place they believe it to be. For years he has hidden in his work, ignoring his demons. But now his life is falling apart, and as his ghosts come back to haunt him, the only person he can turn to is a patient.

Set over a life-changing weekend, Alastair Campbell’s astonishing first novel is both a comedy and tragedy of ordinary lives. It is rich in compassion for those whose days are spent on the edge of the abyss.

Genres: Fiction, Mental Health, Romance, Contemporary, Unfinished, Book Club, Drama

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Alastair John Campbell is a British journalist, author, strategist, broadcaster, and activist, who is known for his political roles during Tony Blair's leadership of the Labour Party. Campbell worked as Blair's spokesman and campaign director in opposition (1994–1997), then as Downing Street Press Secretary, and as the Prime Minister's Official Spokesperson (1997–2000). He then became Downing Street's director of communications and spokesman for the Labour Party (2000–2003).

Since his work for Blair, Campbell has continued to act as a freelance advisor to a number of governments and political parties, including Edi Rama, the Prime Minister of Albania. He was an adviser to the People's Vote campaign, campaigning for a public vote on the final Brexit deal. He is the editor-at-large of The New European and chief interviewer for GQ. He acts as a consultant strategist and as an ambassador for Time to Change and other mental health charities. Throughout his time in Downing Street, Campbell kept a diary which reportedly totalled some two million words. Selected extracts, titled The Blair Years, were published in 2007. He expressed an intention to publish the diaries in fuller form, which he did from 2010 to 2018. In 2019, Campbell was expelled from the Labour Party after voting for the Liberal Democrats in that month's European elections. In 2022, Campbell launched the podcast The Rest Is Politics with Rory Stewart, which has been the top politics podcast in the UK in the Apple rankings since its launch.

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredibly powerful and addictive read. This is the second of Alastair Campbell’s books I have read and I enjoyed it just as much. Each chapter is written from a different perspective and I think this works really well. We learn about the human psyche in different ways and learn that everyone is fighting some sort of battle. It’s a really well written and made me feel very emotional. Highly recommended.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whatever you think of Alastair Campbell (I'm from Wales where most of us are slightly left of centre) this novel is compassionate, engrossing and really beautifully written. One reviewer said that he shouldn't have tackled this subject as he is not an expert. I beg to disagree - someone who has been on the receiving end of a breakdown, alcoholism and severe depression must be more than qualified to write on the subject of mental health.

The book takes place over one weekend with an eminent psychiatrist as the key player. He has several patients, a depressive, a disfigured burns victim, an MP with a serious alcohol problem, a rape victim and an illegal immigrant forced into prostitution. He surprised me with his depth of understanding of women's issues and I will look at Mr Campbell in a new light from now on. Recommended.

[Eleanor Greenwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book 6 stars I would, because it is unbelievably good. It's almost impossible to describe, but it touched me in a way that made me want to read more.

[Filipe Dias · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sinceramente, não sei bem o que escrever deste livro. Talvez tenha sido a sinopse, que em determinada altura me suscitou curiosidade. Mas de que se trata? Basicamente de um conceituado Psiquiatra, e seus pacientes.
Martin Sturrock é um Psiquiatra de elevado prestígio, que facil e rapidamente chegou a cargos superiores, ganhando uma invejável carreira. Tem vários pacientes, sendo neste livro apresentado o "drama" de 5 deles.
Emily sofre o drama de uma grave queimadura que lhe modificou a vida. Vítima de um incêndio ao qual não conseguiu fugir, vê-se desfigurada numa das faces, tornando a sua aparência difícil de apresentar a outras pessoas, mas ainda mais difícil de tolerar pela própria Emily.
Arta foi vítima de violação, e desde então tem sonhos recorrentes com os seus violadores, e a mágoa da situação. Além do mais, reflectiu-se bastante na relação com Lirim, seu marido, não havendo desde então muita intimidade entre o casal. Lirim além de preocupado com Tara está também empenhado na expansão do seu negócio, havendo assim muita preocupação no foro do casal.
David Temple, sofre de depressão. Tem um trabalho normal, mas a própria vivência é uma vivência de "perdido". Não há alegrias nem distracções, apenas trabalho e uma vida de dependência mútua com a sua mãe, cheia de tormentos e preocupações, várias reais e outras do próprio David.
Ralph é um ministro. Sofre de um problema de alcoolismo e teme que seja descoberto e arruíne a sua carreira, por um escândalo político. Mas não é só. A esposa de Ralph passa mais tempo fora de casa devido à sua profissão, do que propriamente com Ralph, levando-o a procurar companhia na bebida...
Matthew e Celia têm em mão um problema de infidelidade por parte de Matthew. Matthew traiu Celia, duas vezes, mas de alguma maneira Celia viu nessas traições um padrão de dependência sexual. Para Celia o Matthew é um dependente sexual, e procuram ajuda pelo bem do casamento.
Mas Martin não é só um Psiquiatra, não é só o Psiquiatra Sturrock a quem todos contam os problemas e pedem ajuda. Martin é também um marido, um pai, uma pessoa com vida própria. Vida essa que não é das melhores, entre a rotina fria que se apoderou da relação com a sua esposa, e a falta de ligação com os filhos, distantes. Alem de tudo, tem os problemas dos seus pacientes, que lhe invadem o pensamento e se interiorizam sobre a forma de seus próprios problemas. Tudo recai em cima de Martin, os seus problemas, os problemas dos outros. Descura a sua própria vida e a dos seus. Mantém-se forte para ajudar os seus pacientes, enquanto ele próprio se vai prejudicando e consumindo aos poucos.
E é neste drama que se desenvolve a estória neste livro, um psiquiatra que dá mais de si ao outros, do que ele próprio recebe.
Se eu gostei? Sim, gostei. A certo ponto só conseguia pensar que era um livro que só falava de problemas, quando eu próprio também já tenho os meus e me revejo em alguns aspectos de algumas das personagens. Mas a pouco e pouco surgiu a ténue esperança que no final haveria uma resolução para cada caso, suscitando assim mais curiosidade para acabar. E, muito importante, se há aquelas estórias em que se tira uma moral, esta é uma delas. Aconselho a leitura, nem que seja para ter várias perspectivas diferentes de vários tipos de problemas e suas vivências...
Boas leituras...

[Rachel Pan Resnekov · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book on the way to work, as part of my daily morning read when I stop for a coffee. Let me say that it is not a good idea to do so as I was bawling my eyes out over my coffee and got to work with red and puffy eyes.

Now to get on with the review...

In this book, we get a glimpse into the minds of five patients with various psychiatric needs, all of whom are seeking therapy and treatment from a well-renowned psychiatrist who has issues of his own. It is raw, honest, insightful and confrontational.

I really love this book. Coming from a psychology background, it intrigues me to dive deep into the human mind. Alastair has captured this really well and every time he describes the inner thoughts of one of his patients, I marvel at his ability to empathise and describe even the smallest of details. Remarkably insightful, this book really sheds light into the hearts and minds of those with mental illnesses, PTSD, rape victims, burns victims and how the people in their lives are affected. It is also a reminder for us to never take for granted the people that are providing help and support to us as their vocation. The psychiatrists, the therapists, doctors, nurses, teachers, counsellors etc of this world. I encourage anyone to pick this book up because we could all benefit from gaining insight and awareness into the hidden struggles of people we never knew may be struggling . Hopefully it gives us perception and enable us to offer love, support and patience.

[Louise Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable pacy read, which is pretty remarkable considering it's all about mental illness and psychiatric treatment, written by the bastard son of Jilly Cooper and Ian McEwan.

Covering topics Campbell knows well - politics, alcoholism, mental illness and treatment - serves us well with particularly moving and - as far as I know - accurate passages describing various states of mental distress.

Campbell gives us an an interesting array of very "London" characters (immigrants, sex workers, politicians) and situations explored from the psychiatrist's couch (well, chair in this case) but they do sometimes border on a little too virtuous and simplistic to feel fully three dimensonial. His two central characters, Sturrock, a psychiatrist, and one of his patients David, as well as their supporting cast of family and coworkers are drawn with more than sufficient complexity and a really engaging sensitivity, however.

It feels like he may have got some of his demons out with this book, I look forward to his next.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book, because I was curious to read a novel by Alistair Campbell. I have to admit that, secretly, I was hoping to be able to criticise and pick holes in it, as it is clearly not fair that someone with such a history of success in the political arena could decide to write a novel, and be good at it.

A couple of chapters in, I realised it was not a book by Alistair Campbell, that wasn't what defines it... it was, in fact, a really compelling and emotionally astute novel, by a promising new author, with humble (as David Temple might say) and truthful characters, and thought provoking streams of consciousness. I found the insights into depression very moving, I thought this was handled sensitively and with integrity, and I really warmed to and enjoyed the variety of creative characters, whose lives you get a glimpse of...

I really do hope Mr Campbell will turn his pen to another novel, as I feel he has a lot more to come.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book and probably would have given it 3.5 stars. I didn't realise until I started it that Alastair Campbell was THE Alastair Campbell of the Blair government. That aside, I thought this was a very touching story, one which dealt with sensitive subjects. The main character Martin Sturrock was a man while although treating his patients for their problems also had his own problems which ultimately he found difficult to deal with.

The author wrote him as an intelligent man who without meaning to repeated the mistakes that his father made with his own children and family. He also was a flawed character who didn't seek any treatment for his own problems. At one point he felt that he wasn't treating his patients properly but at the end this was proved not to be the case.

The book was insightful and very well written.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stayed in bed to finish reading this book this morning. I ended up shedding a few tears at the end the same as Becky, very touching.

Essentially this is a book about depression and the psyciatric profession. The characters lives and pasts are all very different but are all linked to Dr Martin Sturrock who is the psyciatrist who sees them all each week. Its obvious that Campbell has been to hell & back like the characters in this book from the way he describes it. Only one who has experienced such all consuming darkness could explain the very depths of such a debilitating disease. A really interesting read, especially if you have been touched by this subject in some way.

Well worth a read, recommended.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving, intense, and sad, with compelling and complex character arcs, and an inexorable momentum and pacing. Also quite well-written. I will be thinking about this book for some time to come. [The first in what will be a series of novels I plan to read this summer about therapists and therapy.]

[Stephanie Christodoulou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal and heart wrenching. He is able to encapsulate the feelings of mental illness in the style of writing as well as in the words that he is saying. Such a beautiful beautiful read.

[Bethany Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has revealed the fallibility of professionals and highlighted that even the most intelligent are only human.

[Mina Pappa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoiler alert!

The whole book was good, but there was a part at the funeral that left me numb... As they were all putting flowers on top of the coffin, "Len Appleton, who never fully recovered after seeing his son killed right in front of him, had a camelia and he took it to Mrs Sturrock at the front.
-Give this to his mother, will you? I know what it's like to lose a child."

Nothing to say after that. ..

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a truly excellent book. It was a bit slow starting but then really drew you in to the lives of the characters. Very dark in places but thoroughly thought provoking. Surprisingly compelling and insightful into a variety of mental health difficulties.

The book follows a day of appointments in the life of a psychiatrist who also offers psychotherapy (a rare breed in itself). His patients are from all walks of life and experience a whole range of problems. Unbeknownst to them, however, he is experiencing problems of his own.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to explore the light and shade of the human mind. Don't read it if you're in a fragile state yourself though. You may never recover.

[Sian Taylor]

I read this book following a recommendation, having been told 'this is the best book I've ever read'. I wouldn't go that far, certainly isn't as mind-blowing as I'd expected it to be. However it is very well written, and his previous role in Government certainly influences the way he writes. It does make you wonder what personal experiences he's had with depression; himself or someone close to him, as well as wondering an amalgam of which Ministers he bases the Health Minister on. A good read, but prepare not to be uplifted. It certainly isn't a 'jolly' read, but insightful on how people think when suffering with depression.

[Isobel · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my Cheltenham purchases after I had listened to him reading from it and discussing it. This did have the disadvantage of me only being able to picture him as the main character!

An amazing journey into the psychotic mind and well researched, believable examples of how 'normal' people can be rendered abnormal by their random life experiences. From reading an earlier review I knew how it ended but that did not stop it from being totally compelling. Having read 'The Blair Years' - purely factual and totally egotistical - I didn't think his fiction would be this colourful. I look forward to the next offering.

[Liz Coady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Campbell examines four days over a weekend in the life of Martin, a psychiatrist, and a number of his clients. The writing is sensitive, poignant, knowledgeable, and informative. Martin doubts whether his suggestions to the people who come to him for help are useful. But one message of the book is that we can never tell what effect we have on others; another that self–healing can have great rewards.

[Bernadette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A difficult topic extremely well handled. An English psychiatrist who suffers from depression struggles to continue to treat his patients as his own disease spirals downward. The author gets inside the hearts and minds of the doctor and his patients in a viseral way. I learned about some of the treatment techniques psychiatrists use.

[Ana Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book!
Martin Sturtock treats people when he needs treatment as well.
This book is very well written and I indentified myself with some of the characters. I should add that some of the tips that Dr. Sturrock gives to her patients are worth to put on practice in real life.
Recommended!

[Andrew James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was moved by the ending which was unexpected but particularly well done. The first half of the book is assured but I found the pace a little slow; I was more engaged as I got to know the characters better and the last third of the book is compelling. The characters are well drawn and I cared about their storylines. I will definitely read his next novel which I've heard is equally good.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if you dislike Alastair Campbell, this book is incredibly well written and it's easy to empathize with the characters. It's also clear that Campbell's own depression helped him write good chunks of the book. I was moved.

[Carol Lindley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't even remember how or where this book came from but was curious how a former UK press secretary would fare at writing a book. He passed with flying colours. It's an amazing story with depth in the characters and storyline. It has left me wanting to read more of his work.

[Rob Tapper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting spin in psychiatrist territory, plenty of character variety in informing of the depressive mind with story line interesting in sidelines of philosophical departures; humour, wit and sex enough to titilate and keep read moving.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The idea of a psychiatrist seeing patients while having issues himself intrigued me. This book did not disappoint.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is evident that, although Campbell is a mental health activist, he is not a mental health professional (or a talented novelist). We are supposed to understand from this novel that anyone, including mental health professionals, is susceptible to crisis. Each patient is different, and are written quite sympathetically; especially David who struggles with severe depression. This same sympathy is not afforded to the psychiatrist, nor his work, which I think demonstrates that Campbell understands experiences of mental illness but not necessarily psychological/psychiatric process. The doctor is not quite written in the same way - he is unlikeable and insufferable, where the other characters seem humanly flawed. I think the doctor isn’t afforded the same building and development as the others. There also seems to be a greater focus on David, showing that Campbell is perhaps out of his depth describing the experiences of the more complex characters and their issues. The sessions with the patients are short and vapid, yet at the end of the novel we are shown a great display of all the people grateful for the doctor’s infinite wisdom that irrevocably changed their lives. Yet, as the reader, we hardly see this wisdom, so it seems disconnected and contrived. This novel is quite old now, which could account for some of its flaws. Overall, though, I think this book as an important message and drew on interesting perspectives, but it was badly executed.

[Jon Kenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that gets better and better as it goes on as if the author is getting into it, loosening up as he goes. By the final few chapters, he's loosened up nicely and really let's himself go and it's here that the book is at its best. The description of the central character 'cracking up' is vivid enough to be drawn from real life experience. The final chapters and genuinely moving and beautifully written. If I had to make a criticism I'd say that there were perhaps a few too many characters than were necessary to make the point, all of whom sounded a bit alike in their voices. All of these were drawn together at the end though to make the book an enjoyable and emotional cautionary tale about how none of us is without weakness and how we should listen for people, sometimes those if whom we least expect it, who may be crying out for help.

[Meonwanderer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the audio version. One of the best narrations I’ve experienced so far. A story of a few days in the life of a top psychiatrist told though the prism of a few of his troubled clients and his family. Deeply disturbing on many levels and draws you in to the stories of the patients and the doctor himself. Intriguing and informative detail of the effects of trauma on mental and emotional state of both his patients and cumulatively upon himself. This is a very enjoyable book despite the subject matter, well written and researched and brought to life by a dynamic and highly interesting narration. Highly recommended.

[Miss Terry Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable book, a page turner, with interesting characters who really do come alive and are memorable. However, it's easy to tell that this a first time book. There are some flaws with internal consistency, some areas are unbelievable, and some beliefs and opinions are espoused which may be offensive. Reviews by feminist see this book as wonderful, which is part of it's problem. Hard to ignore author's voice. Due to Campbell's "infamy" you spend a lot of time looking for him everywhere.

[Kiran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really really enjoyed this book, I loved reading about all the different characters and about their struggles, their daily lives, their journeys. This book spans a long weekend and so much happens in such a short amount of time, I wasn't expecting certain revelations but found it very thought provoking and interesting from start to finish. Highly recommend. I will be looking at Campbell's other work as well. Great read.

[Ashli Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

so this book took a while for me to get into, it was a slow burner at first and I didn't know if I would enjoy it- but after I started to learn the characters, get deeper knowledge into their lives and their relationships, it turned out to be a great book.
Sturrock was an interesting main character and he had a lot of depths to who he was, the tragic end really did surprise me and it was unexpected.