I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Trigger Warning: Storylines of mental health, suicide, and self-harm are part of this novel. Reader’s Discretion is Advised.
A woman with dreams of being a writer, struggling with her own mental health, finds solace in helping children with similar struggles. However, her world is turned upside down by the reappearance of a long-lost acquaintance whose motivations may be darker than she realizes, as depicted in the novel “Splenditude” by Ellen T. Lynch.
The Synopsis
A book bearing her name on the spine is Deirdre Collins’ driving passion. A book that a reader will remove from a library shelf to take home on a rainy afternoon. A book she can dedicate to her late father. Her dream is to join the Chicago school of writers led by Saul Bellow, Nelson Algren, and Stuart Dybek.
When she is unable to publish her first novel, depression lands her on suicide watch in an Albuquerque behavioral hospital. There she meets Max Fletcher, a handsome young man with drive and genius who is battling demons of his own.
After discharge, they move to different parts of the country and lose track of each other. Max becomes a successful entertainment producer for a late night talk show.
As her father’s health fails, Deirdre leaves the artistic community in New Mexico to lead a quiet life in a rural Illinois town. She writes and tends her great aunt’s garden. One morning she finds a teenager on her property with a gun. After reporting the incident to her local high school, she lands a job supervising a room for at-risk kids. A healthy life style and a commitment to her writing enables her to conquer mood swings that derailed her as a young woman. Working with kids who struggle with depression and anxiety, mood disorders, and other behavioral problems opens her mind and then her heart to the wide range of sorrow and joy on the human spectrum.
A call from Max Fletcher upends Deirdre’s peaceful existence. Max promises publishing connections which have eluded Deirdre. She is flattered by Max’s attention and his desire to help her achieve her dreams. Then she discovers his true intentions. A confrontation in New York reveals Max’s deteriorating health which he believes is untreatable by medication or therapy. When Deirdre discovers that Max has plagiarized her work, she must decide whether to take legal action against him.
The Review
This was a profoundly moving read. The author did an incredible job of creating a heartfelt drama that was character-driven in every aspect. The narrative was very introspective, allowing the reader to feel the inner workings of the protagonist’s mind and their struggles through a slow-burn style of storytelling.
The heart of the story was in the theme and the authenticity the author brought to the story and characters. The importance of focusing on mental health and the artistic process, as well as the nuance that comes with discovering our passions and drives in life, was well-developed in the narrative. The balance of the dark moments the characters faced, combined with the hopeful notes the future brought to their lives, made this story so emotionally heartwarming in its delivery.
The Verdict
Thought-provoking, engaging, and heartfelt, author Eileen T. Lynch’s “Splenditude” is a must-read genre fiction drama. The emotional and vulnerable themes the author explores, along with the wealth of character development and hopeful undertones, create a well-balanced narrative that readers can relate to and identify with. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Eileen Lynch is a writer, editor, and teacher who has lived in Chicago, IL and New Mexico. The city of Chicago and surrounding suburbs are a backdrop for her work.
