Customer Reviews

Willow Weep for Me: A Black Woman's Journey Through Depression

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(7)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

I read a review of this book in a magazine about two years ago and kept in stored in the back of my mind to read, mainly because it is titled after one of my favorite Billie Holliday songs, but also because it was the first book dealing with Black women and depression that I'd every seen. After a recent bout of depression, my therapist loaned me the book from the counseling center's library. Too depressed to do the hundred other things that were begging to be done after that session, I started reading the book, finishing it in about a day because I just couldn't believe that there was someone else out there who was hurting the way I was for as long as I had been. I had to know how it all turned out for her.

The book gave me hope. Meri's story is very similar to mine (save the alcoholism and single parenthood). Her story gave me hope, answered my questions about the effectiveness of drug therapy, and showed me that while depression can be a chronic illness, it is not untreatable if one has courage and faith. I have been working a lot with some of the suggestions that she made in the book and have had a marked improvement in many areas of my life. I feel truly blessed to have read that book and I am grateful that Meri was humble enough to share her story with all of us sisters who have suffered in shame and silence. God bless her; God bless us.

I have been suffering from depression for longer than I care to admit. I grew up with a depressed mother who never sought help. I am about the same age as the author and have experienced many of the same things she has been through. I am still struggling with therapy, medications and trying to adjust to being a newly divorced single mom of a very sick little girl. I love to read and this is the first book I have read in a long time that I can truly relate to and find some hope for my future. I am so happy to know that I am not alone. I will try not to feel so guilty that I am not the strong black women that society has told me I need to be. This book has taught me that I am strong; strong enough to deal with this condition and keep moving forward.

Upon reading the first pages, I wanted to know where was the person who was mirroring my life. Our struggles have ran so parallel that if Meri were to hear my story, I am sure she would feel as if I had been living her life. I can't begin to share with anyone the horror of living with this dreadful disease, however Meri said it like I haven't heard or read anywhere before. The strength that she found to write this memoir is very characteristic of us, individuals who suffer with depression. We can often go deep inside and find the resources to rise to any occasion and muster up the will to live. We, then, are able to do things that others, who don't live day to day with this debilitating illness, can't or won't do. Yet they do not live with such a disease that robs you of your self esteem and movitation that others take for granted. I have often been envious of those who appear so**normal**. Meri, my sister, you have done us "proud". You have my humblest admiration and prayers that your life will be more than we can imagine.

As I thought about the title for my customer review, I tried to capture the essence of what this book meant to me.I just finished reading at about 6:00am and realized that I needed to find a way to pay homage to an incredibly brave, but even more compelling act of nurturing love that Meri Danguah unleashed to the world in her book debut. The book's cover photo is a precursing introduction to the love enveloped between the pages. Ms. Danquah's eyes peer out from a loving place of stability, forgivness, hope, strength, selflove, honor, humilty and a nurturing spirit of uncompromising depth and offering. Like the account she gives between the pages, her image confers to the beholder the assurance that the spirit within you can always rise up in an healing and sweet triumph. Meri Danquah's story is a precious gift for all who recognize the powerful human will to survive but yet simultaneously reach out to honor that same powerful will in others. I read her account of childhood abuse and constant painful struggle sometimes with tearful acknowledgement and reflection and at other times I read with a admiring respect for the person she is and continues to become. As a first effort, there are many parts of the book which could have transitioned more smoothly and other elements of the story which deserved more development and attention. However, her writing talent is clearly evident and the ability to pierce the place where the written word causes something to happen within is deftly at her command. Like many do now and will in years to come, I thank Meri Danquah for loving and giving of herself so that others too may find peace and comfort in their ability to receive it. We have met at AGAPE, A Religious Center of Truth, and there I first glimpsed Meri Danquah's power to love and confer healing. I encourage her and I look forward to the good this first book will bring to her and many,many others to come.

As I read through Danquah's story of her journey through depression, it was as if she was telling my story, and the story of my friends and sisters that suffer with depression. Finally, I felt that my daily struggle with dispair was not unique. If other Black Women have suffered from depression, experienced a variety of health care treatments, and survived to experience something better . . . than maybe so can I. Maybe I won't loose my job, my husband, my home, and my friends as I slide into my world of emptiness. There is hope. - A lawyer in Richmond, Virginia.

WILLOW WEEP FOR ME is a powerful book that really touched me. I felt like I was going through the ups and downs along with the author. It was a totally personal journey and Ms. Danquah was extremely brave to write such a a personal account of her life. WILLOW WEEP FOR ME was long overdue, because it focuses on how depression affects Black women and how it reveals itself in our lives. It opened my mind to reflect on my own life and some of the behaviors I have witnessed not only in myself, but in family, friends and associates. People in the Black community still seem to attach a stigma to mental illness in general, while so many in the Black community -- particulary "depressed" i.e., poor communities -- are suffering; and we don't even know it until finally suffering a nervous breakdown or some other "dysfunction". It was a real eye, heart and soul opener. I highly recommend it to all.

I found this book in my college bookstore and couldn't put it down! I have been in therapy and on medication for many years and was able to relate to a lot of what Meri wrote about. It was refreshing to hear about depression in this format. I recommend this book for friends and family members of loved ones with depression, for all genders, races, nationalities, etc. who are or may be suffering from depression, and the professionals who work with them. Ms. Danquah does an excellent job describing a journey of pain, denial, discovery, acceptance, and empowerment.

I am a sophmore in college and I could never imagine before I read this book that there were others out there like me who have suffered through depression for a good part of their lives. I felt Meri's story as if it were me because I have felt all of the same emotions many times at some point or another. Willow Weep for Me is helping me to see that although I am at the place Meri was in the depth of her depression, I too will survive and get out of it. Thank you Meri, for giving a little of the courage I need to beat this.

As an African American woman who suffers from a mental disorder, I picked up this book with a great many expectations, but was disappointed. Although it starts off strongly, the author rambles on and on, repeating the same things over and over again. None of the characters are particularly appealing or engaging. This could have been article, not a book. If you're still interested in reading it, save you money and get it from the library.

Ms. Danquah's book was eye-opening and somewhat scary because I could see a lot of myself in her struggle with depression. Fortunately for Ms. Danquah, she had friends that she could turn to who were also suffering from the same disease. She was not alone. Due to her personal experiences, I believe Ms. Danquah encourages those who suffer from depression to seek help, via, psychotherapy and medication. Do whatever you have to do to get healthy and stay alive. The financial pressure to get help can be outstanding, but it's worth it. Thank you, Ms. Danquah for your courage to share your life and your personal struggle with depression. You have given me hope. God bless you.