A season in hell

by Percy Knauth

A Season in Hell by Percy Knauth - 1975 Harper & Row

111 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1975

Reviews

[Faye Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author shares a window into the days leading up to his decision to commit suicide, and the simple act which stopped him from carrying it out. A very dated, but powerful look into the author’s battle with depression. Although we know so much more today than we did then, depression continues to be a true “season in hell” for those who suffer from it.

[Allen Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fascinated by the author's description of his life with depression. Many still relate "the blues" to the term "depression," however, after reading Mr. Knauth's account of his life held in the vice grip of clinical depression one will never again blur the two. Outstanding recounting of a life lived in hell before modern medicine provided effective antidepressants.

[Riley Holmes · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Season In Hell is a biography written by Percy Knauth about a man's personal life struggling with depression, published in 1975. Percy was a very successful writer and reporter. There was nothing in particular that made his life difficult other than his battle with depression. He had a wife and children. Percy's depression became so bad that he decided to take his own life, but fortunately lived through the suicide attempt. He lives on to express to the world what true emotion is and how you can deal with it.
I find this book very interesting because it could really help someone and if we're talking about saving a life, it can be vital to someone who is going through some of the same things that he is. However, definitely for someone wise and mature enough to understand it. In other words, usually someone older. I personally found it difficult to read and it didn't keep my attention throughout the whole book. I also could not relate to it.I caught myself "skimming" over the text a lot and not catching all the details which is why I strongly recommend that someone older and more mature to read it so that they can read it and be able to understand the true meaning of it. Also, this book doesn't specifically have to be for someone that is struggling with depression. Really, it could be for anyone. I say this because almost everyone knows or is going to know someone in their future that is struggling with depression. These people cannot be left alone. They must seek help even if they think that they don't need it, that they can work it out themselves. I think the information from this book should definitely be passed on from one individual to another to prevent traumatic events of people taking their own lives because they can't stand it anymore. That's really sad and could be very devastating to the person's family and friends which is indeed why books such as A Season In Hell are important and could change a life.