The Boy Between, Josiah Hartley
The Boy Between, Josiah Hartley
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The Boy Between
A Mother and Son’s Journey From a World Gone Grey

Author: Josiah Hartley, Amanda Prowse

Narrator: Amanda Prowse, Josiah Hartley

Unabridged: 8 hr 57 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 11/01/2020


Synopsis

Bestselling novelist Amanda Prowse knew how to resolve a fictional family crisis. But then her son came to her with a real one…Josiah was nineteen with the world at his feet when things changed. Without warning, the new university student’s mental health deteriorated to the point that he planned his own death. His mother, bestselling author Amanda Prowse, found herself grappling for ways to help him, with no clear sense of where that could be found. This is the book they wish had been there for them during those dark times.Josiah’s situation is not unusual: the statistics on student mental health are terrifying. And he was not the only one suffering; his family was also hijacked by his illness, watching him struggle and fearing the day he might succeed in taking his life.In this book, Josiah and Amanda hope to give a voice to those who suffer, and to show them that help can be found. It is Josiah’s raw, at times bleak, sometimes humorous, but always honest account of what it is like to live with depression. It is Amanda’s heart-rending account of her pain at watching him suffer, speaking from the heart about a mother’s love for her child.For anyone with depression and anyone who loves someone with depression, Amanda and Josiah have a clear message—you are not alone, and there is hope.

About Josiah Hartley

Josiah (Josh) Hartley lives in an isolated farmhouse in the West Country, but close enough to Bristol to enjoy its music scene. He is an animal lover and servant to two French Bulldogs. Equally happy at a music festival or watching rugby with his mates, he likes the outdoor life and with Devon only a short drive away often heads to the sea to surf and sit on the beach watching the sun go down. After a stint at the University of Southampton and another at the University of Bristol and one unsuccessful suicide attempt, Josh decided to write about his descent into mental illness and the depression that has held him in its grip for the past few years. The Boy Between carries the overriding message that things can and often do get better. It’s a book of reflection, raw, honest and full of hope: the proof being that Josh is still here and now excited about what comes next. He is ready to catch any opportunities that life throws his way, quite a thing for someone who only three years ago was living in a world gone grey, ready to disappear from the face of the earth…

About Amanda Prowse

Amanda Prowse likens her own life story to those she writes about in her books. After self-publishing her debut novel, Poppy Day, in 2011, she has gone on to author twenty-five novels and six novellas. Her books have been translated into a dozen languages and she regularly tops bestseller charts all over the world. Remaining true to her ethos, Amanda writes stories of ordinary women and their families who find their strength, courage and love tested in ways they never imagined. The most prolific female contemporary fiction writer in the UK, with a legion of loyal readers, she goes from strength to strength. Being crowned ‘queen of domestic drama’ by the Daily Mail was one of her finest moments. Amanda is a regular contributor on TV and radio but her first love is, and will always be, writing. This is her first work of non-fiction.You can find her online at www.amandaprowse.com, on Twitter or Instagram @MrsAmandaProwse, and on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/amandaprowsenogreaterlove.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Maddy

This is the true story of a mother and son, and the evil illness which is depression. What happens when your lovely, sunny boy, in whom you have so much hope, love and expectation invested becomes so low with depression that their world turns grey, and they feel the only way out is suicide? How can......more

Goodreads review by Joanne

Last year I went to the Wrexham Festival of Words and the highlight for me was listening to author Amanda Prowse talk about her life and how her writing journey began. I’ve long been a fan of her books and so I loved hearing the background story behind how she came to be a bestselling author. During......more

Goodreads review by Anita

While this book didn't quite meet my bar for 5 stars, I am giving them anyway because a) it's a very important topic and b) the structure is genius. Josh, one of the two authors, experienced severe depression in his late teens, and this memoir takes the reader through what that felt like for him. Bu......more

What a disappointment. I had never heard of Amanda Prowse, though she never missed an opportunity to tell the reader how she was/is a successful novelist appearing on tv around the world for reviews of her writing and other ' celebrity 'engagements. Whilst the prose was indigestible I persevered beca......more


Quotes

“A brave and insightful book that shimmers with warmth and hope.” The Lady“A courageous and open book that will offer practical help to everyone touched by depression. Startling and important.” Platinum“I truly believe this book will help so many individuals struggling with their mental health as well as help their families…A candid, moving and inspirational book, I am blown away.” —Johnny Benjamin, bestselling author of The Stranger on the Bridge