Treading Our Own Paths: A book of writings by people from the Canberra region who have experienced psychiatric illness
Edited by Robin Davidson
Footsteps Press, 1997.
92 pp., $10 (includes postage)
ACT Writers Centre, PO Box 23, Griffith, ACT 2603
Also available at Canberra City bookshops.
Review by Afrodity Giannakis
The collection of writings in Treading Our Own Paths include poetry, short stories, autobiography, diary entries, dialogues, prose poetry and essays, all written by people who have experienced psychiatric illness.
The great richness of moods, styles and themes expressed by the 25 contributors is a prominent aspect of the collection. Despite the variety, however, there is also an underlying unifying mood, as well as literary succinctness and expressive clarity running through the book.
The writings are deeply personal, whether written in the first person or not. They range from drama to comedy, to nightmare, even to seemingly matter-of-factness. Most of them deal with the experience of living in an intense, sharp and imaginative way. The first words of Chris Foster's short story "Mr Stroop's Senses", are a good example:
"Mr Stroop's senses were astounding. He could see music and hear paintings. He could taste a pear or a piece of steak simply by touching it. He could smell a fire while watching it on television, or a lady's perfume while talking to her over the telephone."
The subjects covered include the experience of mental illness, relationships with lovers or friends, nature in connection with emotions, and a few less personal topics like smoking and cats.
The pieces dealing specifically with mental illness are absorbing and enlightening. They are particularly eye-opening where they expose the shortcomings of the mental health care system. P.C.'s prose piece "Untitled" is quite explicit in this respect: "Doctor Nightingale told me this is the best place in Australia. If that is so, I'd hate to see the worst."
In the poem "The God of Lunacy", Jones skilfully employs nature metaphors for mental states: "As a whole man, I stand upon the shores of sanity, the blue sea inside of me at its deepest, covering up the untamed sands of insanity."
Treading Our Own Paths is an enjoyable and engaging book. Its honesty, richness and forcefulness makes for a special reading experience.