There Is No Blue

The three protagonists in this memoir are dead, a bookish and artistic family living in a beautiful old house in a pleasant part of Toronto, and two girls growing up in the 60s and 70s. One of them begins to manifest signs of distress, leading to a diagnosis of schizophrenia. This is a close observation of a family's experience of a mental illness and a layered story of grief.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 18 January 2024
Publisher: Granta Publications Ltd

The three protagonists in this memoir are dead: a mother, a father, and a sister. A bookish and artistic family living in a beautiful old house in a pleasant part of Toronto. Two girls growing up in the 60s and 70s. All seems well until one of them begins to manifest signs of distress, leading, eventually, to a diagnosis of schizophrenia.

In this triptych of beautifully written memoir-essays, Canadian author Martha Baillie reflects on the complex entangled lives of her mother, father, and sister. There Is No Blue is both a close observation of a family's experience of a diagnosis of mental illness and a layered story of grief.

The mother, a talented musician, is plagued by a sense of loss and longing for her lost youth. She struggles to connect with her children and finds solace in her music, but her mental health deteriorates, and she eventually commits suicide.

The father, a successful businessman, is distant and cold, unable to express his love for his family. He is consumed by his work and his own demons, and he eventually suffers a heart attack.

The sister, a talented artist, is the glue that holds the family together. She is fiercely protective of her siblings and struggles to cope with the loss of their mother and father. She eventually develops schizophrenia and is institutionalized for many years.

Despite the tragedy that unfolds, There Is No Blue is a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit. Baillie's writing is exquisite, and she brings her characters to life with a depth of emotion and empathy that is truly remarkable. This is a book that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

In conclusion, There Is No Blue is a powerful and moving memoir-essay that explores the complexities of family relationships, mental illness, and grief. Martha Baillie's writing is exquisite, and she brings her characters to life with a depth of emotion and empathy that is truly remarkable. This is a book that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

Weight: 304g
Dimension: 225 x 143 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781803511030