Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
Published by Harper
Publication date: February 9, 2021
Genres: Contemporary, Debut, Fiction
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Sorrow and Bliss opens after Martha and her husband Patrick have returned from a party he threw for her 40th birthday. It did not go well and two days later Patrick says he’s leaving. It’s both an ending and a beginning for Martha as she grapples with what to do next in a life that often feels like too much to bear.
When she’s 17 Martha is suddenly under such physical, emotional, and mental distress that she shuts down, unable to leave her bedroom. This first episode is followed by others, and by doctors with prescriptions and limited success. On the surface she lives a facsimile of a normal life—job, place to live, and even marriage, but underneath she’s grappling with a level of misdiagnosed mental illness that makes life a torment for her and difficult for everyone who’s close to her. Patrick’s leaving is final confirmation that every bad thing Martha believes about herself and life is true.
This may sound like a psychological dirge of a novel, but Sorrow and Bliss shape shifts between genres, refusing to land squarely in any one place. Martha is sharp, creative, and intelligent, her humor like a dry martini—bracingly refreshing. This humor resonates throughout the novel, especially in her relationship with her younger sister, Ingrid. The snark, the inside jokes, the intimacy is a pleasure to read, even when the two are in the midst of fighting.
Ingrid says she always had bitch-like tendencies but it was me who really brought them out.
Author Meg Mason rounds out a varied cast with an annoying aunt, a gentle father, an artist-slash-mother, and the almost saintly Patrick. All there for Martha whether she wants them or not and each with their own quirks and failings. I loved the way they were all brought together and appreciated the fact that Mason could address a serious topic with such wit and grace. Sorrow and Bliss is exactly what the reader gets from this gem.
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I like the sound of this one!
It’s a pretty amazing blend of serious with humor, which is always a win with me.
This looks fascinating! I just placed a hold on a library copy! Thanks!
I think you’ll love it. I appreciate that the author doesn’t try and make it about a specific mental illness. She stays ambiguous which highlights how important the overall issues is. Plus, the writign is so sharp!
I felt like this book came out of nowhere. I hadn’t even heard of it until it started popping up on Instagram. I’m so glad you loved it!
I never heard anything about it when it came so didn’t request an ARC! Then I thought it was going to be pure humor when I started it, but saw your review. Kind of glad I didn’t know what to expect because I might have turned away from the premise of depressed woman as well.
In my top three books of last year – it had everything I want in a novel (because I laughed and cried and it made me think).
Yes! Those are my top 3 attributes as well.
I’m glad there is humor in this one. It sounds worth it. Her family seems to help her affliction …
They do. I was so ready for a wonderful sisterly relationship! I’m tired of wicked sisters.