If You Feel Too Much: Thoughts on Things Found and Lost and Hoped For by Jamie Tworkowski
It’s hard to claim this book as anything but intense, but I think that is it’s intention. It is meant to make you think and more importantly it wants you to feel – something, which I think in my case it succeeded on that front.
For those who aren’t aware Jamie Tworkowski is the writer most well known for his story To Write Love on Her Arms, which gave way for a non-profit organization of the same name. It’s message is simple, yet profound. We are here, Hope is real, Help is real, Your Story is important. They help with the difficulties of depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide. And If You Feel Too Much is Tworkowski’s fist full length book.
I tried to have a clear mind going into this book. I didn’t want to go in expecting anything. I didn’t want to go in on a down or necessarily an up. I wanted to go in being level and trusting whatever this, Tworkowski’s story, had to offer.
I hadn’t read To Write Love On Her Arms before getting into this book and I didn’t make a point to try because I felt it was important to come at this brand new. I have since read the story that created the non-profit and I realize that most of it he does recount in this book. It’s in chopped up pieces, but it’s still there, like it was sprinkled throughout the book to be a reminder of why this story exists in the first place.
Tworkowski does an amazing job in bringing us into a world that thankfully most don’t visit on a regular basis. He invited us in with hope and love and at first I was uncertain. You see, I have dealt with my own demons and miraculously found somewhat of a path through them. The trouble is, I did it alone. It’s possible, but extremely difficult and it was nice to have a soft voice telling me and others that you don’t have to do it alone, because you truly aren’t alone. I’m thankful that I managed, but after reading this book I realize that I could probably do with some more help and I am contemplating contacting this organization. They seem amazing.
GOOD POINT: This book has a way of taking your hand gently and exposing you to this underbelly of emotions that people suffer with every day. I wish more people would be exposed to this; maybe the stigma that surrounds mental health wouldn’t be as demeaning as it is. Lack of responsibility for strangers and indifference could give way for compassion and understanding even if you have never experienced depression in your life before.
There are Christian undertones as it is pretty clear that is what the author believes in. It is a nice contrast to the evangelicals we see plastered across media these days. It’s good to see that not all of them rage and hate and in fact there are those who still empathize and love. That is how I view the person who recommended this book. I see why she chose it, why it would be important to her and in reading this book I feel like I understand her that much more. I am actually very happy she chose it.
GOOD POINT: Tworkowski is an incredible writer and it shines through the pages of this book. I know many of his fans know this already as what drove him into the spot light was this very ability to weave words into something beautiful. Still, it was nice to experience. The stories had a special flow to them, that even though it jumped in time and circumstance the overarching theme remained true and this was due in large part to the writing. I hope he writes another book.
I am happy this book exists and I am happy I got to read it, but more than that I am happy this person and the organization he created exists and that they are helping people. It brings a hope in humanity that seems to be slowly dwindling as the years pass and people become more narcissistic and turn a blind eye to the suffering of others. We need more people like Tworkowski in this world.
RESOURCES:
5 Out of 5 Stars
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