The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression

Andrew Solomon

May 19, 2015

The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression by Andrew Solomon is an illuminating and intimate look into the effects of depression on individuals and society as a whole. Through an exploration of his own experience with depression, Solomon shows how the illness transcends demographics, affecting people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. He illuminates how depression has affected his relationships and examine how it affects everyone around him.Using his own testimony, Solomon examines depression from a variety of angles, including its biological, psychological, cultural, and economic effects. He also takes a transnational approach, looking at how depression manifests across different parts of the world. On each topic, he masterfully draws from research and a breadth of interviews with psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, historians, artists, writers, and philosophers.The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression is an emotionally charged and politically urgent work. It is rooted in personal insight and research but is ultimately an attempt at creating empathy for those suffering from the illness. Solomon approaches depression with a unique perspective, offering a hopeful view rather than a bleak outlook. Through his lens, readers can better understand the nuances of depression and its devastating effects on individuals and society.