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Boys Don't Cry: Why I Hid My Depression and Why Men Need to Talk about Their Mental Health
Boys Don't Cry is a book that will make sense of depression and anxiety for people who might not recognise those feelings in themselves or others.
Suicide is the single biggest killer of men aged 20-45 in the UK. Depression and undiagnosed mental illness are huge contributors to these deaths as they're often more difficult to diagnose in men. And those men don't tend to talk about the typical symptoms or visit their doctor.
Meet Tim.
For nearly a decade he kept his depression secret, it made him feel so weak and shameful he thought it would destroy his whole life if anyone found out.
And Tim is not alone.
After finally opening up he realised that mental illness was affecting many men around the globe - and he knew that wasn't ok.
A brutally honest, wickedly warming and heart-breaking tale about what it really takes to be a 'real man', written by one who decided that he wanted to change the world by no longer being silent.
This is Tim's story, but it could be yours too.
Suicide is the single biggest killer of men aged 20-45 in the UK. Depression and undiagnosed mental illness are huge contributors to these deaths as they're often more difficult to diagnose in men. And those men don't tend to talk about the typical symptoms or visit their doctor.
Meet Tim.
For nearly a decade he kept his depression secret, it made him feel so weak and shameful he thought it would destroy his whole life if anyone found out.
And Tim is not alone.
After finally opening up he realised that mental illness was affecting many men around the globe - and he knew that wasn't ok.
A brutally honest, wickedly warming and heart-breaking tale about what it really takes to be a 'real man', written by one who decided that he wanted to change the world by no longer being silent.
This is Tim's story, but it could be yours too.
228 pages, Hardcover
First published May 4, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 14, 2024
Very powerful, readable, practical and always human. In Tim Grayburn I’ve met a real man!
An invaluable manual for dealing with the modern world and all the junk that goes with it.
One of the most inspirational reads for me of 2024.
An invaluable manual for dealing with the modern world and all the junk that goes with it.
One of the most inspirational reads for me of 2024.
May 6, 2017
Boys Don't Cry is a poignant, honest and incredibly heartbreaking account of living with clinical depression and acute anxiety. Tim Grayburn writes with honesty, rawness and humour. I read the book with tears in my eyes, some tears were due to laughter, others because of what Tim lived though in isolation and silence, as he was ashamed to tell others about how he felt. This book well and truly breaks down all walls.
Before I write the rest of my review, I just want to state that this book is a must read for everyone. It really is such an important book about mental health and the fact that there is no shame, or stigma, in seeking help and support.
When I first saw the blurb for Boys Don't Cry I knew that I needed to read this book. My knowledge about clinical depression is very limited, information that was barely covered while doing my general nurse training many years ago. I have slightly more knowledge about anxiety, as my youngest son is autistic, and a huge part of his life is controlled by his anxiety. But, I wanted to know more about 'young men and depression' as I have two boys, plus the fact that autistic individuals are statistically more likely to suffer from depression. I need to be more aware, and I know that reading personal accounts is the best way for me to gain useful and credible knowledge, much more useful than reading a textbook on the subject.
Tim's personal account is powerful and poignant. The book deals with his life before diagnosis, during diagnosis and his life now. I was so happy to read that he is now in a good place, that he has a wonderful, caring wife and a gorgeous little boy.
This is an incredibly raw account of life with depression. On paper you might think that this kind of book wouldn't contain many laughs, but you would be wrong to assume so. This is a funny book, and an incredibly uplifting one, that pulls no punches, but is funny at the sane time. Tim writes with humour, detailing his many escapades as a young man, which help to shed light on what life it is like for young people living with depression.
It's an incredibly engaging book, one that I found hard to put down. Tim writes so well, the words flow, and I really felt that I got to know the real him. Ultimately though, I felt that I got a clear insight into what it must be like to live with depression and anxiety. I will never fully understand, but I now feel more aware of what signs to look out for, and what help and support I can offer.
I really do think that it takes much courage for anyone to write about their mental health so candidly. I really do feel that Boys Don't Cry will help those individuals who feel alone, who feel that they cannot talk about their mental health. I hope now that they can do so.
Boys Don't Cry is an important book, an honest book and one that I feel everyone should read, so as to end the stigma that is associated with mental health issues. The strong message from this book is that we all need to talk about metal health...let's end the silence.
Boys Don't Cry is published by Hodder & Stoughton on May 4, 2017.
With thanks to the publisher and Bookbridgr for the proof copy.
Before I write the rest of my review, I just want to state that this book is a must read for everyone. It really is such an important book about mental health and the fact that there is no shame, or stigma, in seeking help and support.
When I first saw the blurb for Boys Don't Cry I knew that I needed to read this book. My knowledge about clinical depression is very limited, information that was barely covered while doing my general nurse training many years ago. I have slightly more knowledge about anxiety, as my youngest son is autistic, and a huge part of his life is controlled by his anxiety. But, I wanted to know more about 'young men and depression' as I have two boys, plus the fact that autistic individuals are statistically more likely to suffer from depression. I need to be more aware, and I know that reading personal accounts is the best way for me to gain useful and credible knowledge, much more useful than reading a textbook on the subject.
Tim's personal account is powerful and poignant. The book deals with his life before diagnosis, during diagnosis and his life now. I was so happy to read that he is now in a good place, that he has a wonderful, caring wife and a gorgeous little boy.
This is an incredibly raw account of life with depression. On paper you might think that this kind of book wouldn't contain many laughs, but you would be wrong to assume so. This is a funny book, and an incredibly uplifting one, that pulls no punches, but is funny at the sane time. Tim writes with humour, detailing his many escapades as a young man, which help to shed light on what life it is like for young people living with depression.
It's an incredibly engaging book, one that I found hard to put down. Tim writes so well, the words flow, and I really felt that I got to know the real him. Ultimately though, I felt that I got a clear insight into what it must be like to live with depression and anxiety. I will never fully understand, but I now feel more aware of what signs to look out for, and what help and support I can offer.
I really do think that it takes much courage for anyone to write about their mental health so candidly. I really do feel that Boys Don't Cry will help those individuals who feel alone, who feel that they cannot talk about their mental health. I hope now that they can do so.
Boys Don't Cry is an important book, an honest book and one that I feel everyone should read, so as to end the stigma that is associated with mental health issues. The strong message from this book is that we all need to talk about metal health...let's end the silence.
Boys Don't Cry is published by Hodder & Stoughton on May 4, 2017.
With thanks to the publisher and Bookbridgr for the proof copy.
May 19, 2018
A man describes his experience of depression
Mental health is a big issue, but unfortunately I couldn’t warm to the author or his writing style. The comments on avoiding alcohol and junk food plus taking some exercise rang true.
Mental health is a big issue, but unfortunately I couldn’t warm to the author or his writing style. The comments on avoiding alcohol and junk food plus taking some exercise rang true.
April 4, 2018
(228 pages actually.) A worthwhile read for anyone who knows anyone who is going through/had depression. It's brilliant that we live in a time whereby there is support networks for those that need it. Tim's book is raw, relatable and funny at times. It gives hope for people who are stuck doing thing's they don't enjoy. Highly reccomend.
August 18, 2021
A book about men and the elephant in the room, depression. Tim openly and frankly shares his thoughts and experiences of this debilitating condition. With the unconditional love and constant support of his girlfriend come wife and his family, Tim has been able to put the worst behind him. He was also able to quit working and tour Australia, England and Scotland as a part of the Fringe Festival and share his experiences. The last few pages in this relatively short memoir contains excerpts of letters and emails from people who saw his shows, thanking him for his candor and, in some cases, for saving their lives. I simply, cannot recommend this book highly enough.
November 9, 2017
Excellent read!
Well worth a read, particularly for boys and men that haven't a clue where they're going, if they'll ever fit in or be successful they way society expercts you to. Very raw, eye-opening and occasionally hilarious. Read it.
Well worth a read, particularly for boys and men that haven't a clue where they're going, if they'll ever fit in or be successful they way society expercts you to. Very raw, eye-opening and occasionally hilarious. Read it.
December 16, 2018
So, I actually started this book like.. probably a month ago. I started it on a ride to the train and swapped it out for something else about a half an hour into reading it. It came off like some UK frat boys story about all of his macho bullshit in his life. I was sure that by the end of it, I was going to be furious at having read this nonsense, being fooled by a title yet again (yes, I'm talking to you authors of theoretical physics books). So, I'm in my room, high (a state persistent as of this writing), and I feel like reading something. I'm about 21% through Michelle Obama's Becoming and while I intend to finish it, it definitely was not on my mind as something to listen to when trying to relax (what with all of the things so much like my own life and childhood there). So, I decide to give this book a try. Clean up my 'currently reading' list. Jokes on me though because I had never even marked that I was reading this book.
Anyway, I was wrong. Well, I mean, I was right that it was a bunch of macho bullshit... until it wasn't. Until it got super real and started sounding like things that I had felt before or seen in people that I've loved. I cried. I cringed. I had mildly depressive thoughts of my own.. and I took Tim very, very seriously. I don't know that I dig the memoir format, though i've partially written this very review in suit and though I recognize that often the only story people can tell and be authentic in telling is their own. However, I do support the message. Mental health is important and it's important to have examples of what that really looks like, even in memoir form, so that people can be hit with that stunning revelation (one I'm certainly no stranger to) that "Holy shit, that's my life. I guess I have [insert condition]." I hope that his message spreads far and wide, though I am equally interested, if not more interested, in seeing his wife's perspective on this story and her own.
Do recommend to men who have experienced deep ponderous sadness, a questioning of meaning that deflates and desaturates everyday life, or feels the need to fill their lives with substances, sex, or wild experiences all the time. This book is for you. It's also for people who may have loved ones at risk for falling into those categories.
Anyway, I was wrong. Well, I mean, I was right that it was a bunch of macho bullshit... until it wasn't. Until it got super real and started sounding like things that I had felt before or seen in people that I've loved. I cried. I cringed. I had mildly depressive thoughts of my own.. and I took Tim very, very seriously. I don't know that I dig the memoir format, though i've partially written this very review in suit and though I recognize that often the only story people can tell and be authentic in telling is their own. However, I do support the message. Mental health is important and it's important to have examples of what that really looks like, even in memoir form, so that people can be hit with that stunning revelation (one I'm certainly no stranger to) that "Holy shit, that's my life. I guess I have [insert condition]." I hope that his message spreads far and wide, though I am equally interested, if not more interested, in seeing his wife's perspective on this story and her own.
Do recommend to men who have experienced deep ponderous sadness, a questioning of meaning that deflates and desaturates everyday life, or feels the need to fill their lives with substances, sex, or wild experiences all the time. This book is for you. It's also for people who may have loved ones at risk for falling into those categories.
May 2, 2017
Boys Don't Cry: A Story of Love, Depression and Men
Blurb
I have chronic depression and acute anxiety.
This means that sometimes without medication I can sink very deep and think about killing myself.
But it also means that most of the time I cam perfectly happy and I forgot it even exists.
I have recently begun to become proud of it.
Review
I haven't read much non-fiction books I'm always stuck in a fiction world. But when I saw this book I thought I want to read more about Mental Health with Mental Health Awareness Week coming up next week I thought why not.
This book is about Tim Grayburn a 'real man' who opens up and publish this book it about love, being diagnose with depression and acute anxiety. I feel this man is brave for sharing is struggles with mental illness.
It shows through hes life how he kept the secret for 8 years because he felt ashamed that he didn't feel like a man, so it got so worst that when he was aged 23 he had a nervous breakdown.He hide all this from hes work mates, family and friends for so long he put on a happy face to show people he was coping okay. But he kept having thoughts of his existence like who am I? Why am I here? What is life for? they kept repeating and playing over and over.
But I was happy that he found someone to settle down with and understand what he his going through and not run away. Now Tim is a father to his son Frank.
I love that he and Bryony made hes life into a award-winning show Fake it 'Til You Make It after he quit working in advertising what he was doing for 10 years.
Thank Tim for showing people who suffer with depression and anxiety that you can achieve amazing things like this show and your book.
*Thanks Hodder & Stoughton for sending me out this ARC copy of Boy's Don't Cry.
Blurb
I have chronic depression and acute anxiety.
This means that sometimes without medication I can sink very deep and think about killing myself.
But it also means that most of the time I cam perfectly happy and I forgot it even exists.
I have recently begun to become proud of it.
Review
I haven't read much non-fiction books I'm always stuck in a fiction world. But when I saw this book I thought I want to read more about Mental Health with Mental Health Awareness Week coming up next week I thought why not.
This book is about Tim Grayburn a 'real man' who opens up and publish this book it about love, being diagnose with depression and acute anxiety. I feel this man is brave for sharing is struggles with mental illness.
It shows through hes life how he kept the secret for 8 years because he felt ashamed that he didn't feel like a man, so it got so worst that when he was aged 23 he had a nervous breakdown.He hide all this from hes work mates, family and friends for so long he put on a happy face to show people he was coping okay. But he kept having thoughts of his existence like who am I? Why am I here? What is life for? they kept repeating and playing over and over.
But I was happy that he found someone to settle down with and understand what he his going through and not run away. Now Tim is a father to his son Frank.
I love that he and Bryony made hes life into a award-winning show Fake it 'Til You Make It after he quit working in advertising what he was doing for 10 years.
Thank Tim for showing people who suffer with depression and anxiety that you can achieve amazing things like this show and your book.
*Thanks Hodder & Stoughton for sending me out this ARC copy of Boy's Don't Cry.
May 4, 2017
Boys Don't Cry is an important book. I'm really not usually one for non-fiction but reading this book was amazing. I am very passionate about mental health and the stigma around it, and as you may have been able to tell - this book mainly deals with mental health in men.
This is about a man called Tim Grayburn and how learns and lives with his diagnosis of chronic depression and anxiety. It's completely told in the first person, from the perspective of the author of course. (Although, you do get a few lines from another person in his life). The fact that this is essentially a biography really gives you a different and much more personal insight to his life.
It was extremely insightful to see how Tim viewed his mental health, to begin with, and how that developed as he aged. You're able to see how having a mental illness as a male affected him and all of the struggles that stemmed out from that.
As well as his mental health I really enjoyed seeing how his general life was affected as well. His relationships, his job, his personality - mental health is different for everyone.
I loved him and Bryony's romance it was really cute and honestly pretty amazing. It was also very interesting to see how having a child affected his outlook on life and helped spur on his recovery.
This is a comedic, yet somewhat serious book telling the world how hard it can sometimes be to be male and have a mental illness. With all the pressure from society and the people around you to be on top of everything all the time - sometimes it gets a little too much and that was something that was tackled really well in this book. I really enjoyed reading this and think I'll probably start delving into the world of non-fiction a little more now!
This is about a man called Tim Grayburn and how learns and lives with his diagnosis of chronic depression and anxiety. It's completely told in the first person, from the perspective of the author of course. (Although, you do get a few lines from another person in his life). The fact that this is essentially a biography really gives you a different and much more personal insight to his life.
It was extremely insightful to see how Tim viewed his mental health, to begin with, and how that developed as he aged. You're able to see how having a mental illness as a male affected him and all of the struggles that stemmed out from that.
As well as his mental health I really enjoyed seeing how his general life was affected as well. His relationships, his job, his personality - mental health is different for everyone.
I loved him and Bryony's romance it was really cute and honestly pretty amazing. It was also very interesting to see how having a child affected his outlook on life and helped spur on his recovery.
This is a comedic, yet somewhat serious book telling the world how hard it can sometimes be to be male and have a mental illness. With all the pressure from society and the people around you to be on top of everything all the time - sometimes it gets a little too much and that was something that was tackled really well in this book. I really enjoyed reading this and think I'll probably start delving into the world of non-fiction a little more now!
January 28, 2018
I hired this from my local library and read it within a couple of hours. It was a great book and I knew all of the feelings and symptoms all too well, I’m not sure what it was missing though. Perhaps the writing. I wanted to give it a 3, because it’s such an important topic and no doubt it will help someone. I’m giving it a 2/5 because if I rate my books a 3, I consider purchasing them and I don’t want to purchase this book.
December 4, 2020
This book was so raw and honest about mental health that I couldn't put it down and constantly had tears in my eyes from both the humor he included as well as his story (Tim) story. I think that this book is extremely powerful and teaches us (especially boys) that we should not be ashamed of telling people how we feel. I think that mental health is a big issue that we shouldn't be afraid to open up about and this book expressed that beautifully. I would highly recommend reading this book.
June 6, 2026
An honest account of one man’s life dealing with depression and anxiety. It shows vulnerability and how he came to terms with what life had dealt him. He has learnt to process life by helping others and through educating anyone interested in listening, either through his shows or this book. An absolutely beautiful book that is full of emotion, guidance and hope.
June 1, 2017
A very important book highlighting mental illness and suicide, specifically in men, and how society has stigmatised it. A must read for all, whether they be female, male, old or young, mental illness can hit anyone and is something everyone should be aware of!
May 27, 2017
Not the most polished writing ever but it works because it's real. This needs talking about!
May 14, 2019
Great read understand more about depression. It a lot bigger this book just help you to understand what it like .
Read
August 23, 2020I want to read the book but I don't know how
February 18, 2021
Had a break down today, sat in a park from 10am and read this wonderfully inspiring book. Medication sucks and everything always gets better.
Thankyou Tim
Thankyou Tim
March 6, 2021
This is an important subject matter and a story that is worth telling. Unfortunately I really struggled with the way it was written, the writing style is clumsy and inexperienced.
December 20, 2021
True story
Read
November 19, 2018I went to see Fake It 'Til You Make It so was interesting to read Tim's side of that story.
May 7, 2017
First off: I love the title. It pretty much sums up the entire book and my thoughts on why men struggle so much more with the stigma of mental illness. Boys don't cry. Boys don't don't say they're struggling. Boys kill themselves.
This is a tough book to review, as memoirs always are but especially so because this is about such a tricky subject matter. If you don’t 100% enjoy/approve of a memoir, you feel like you’re casting judgement on the author’s life which is something that I just can't do.
So let’s put this as delicately as possible…
The purpose of this book means so much to me, it’s about reaching out to younger men and telling them that it’s time to speak out about depression.
The first three quarters of this book is Grayburn explaining how depression affected him – from before his diagnosis, to his problems with medication and finally being ‘outed’ when his girlfriend found his pills in his bag. This part is so necessary - a regular bloke talking about his regular life and how he felt knowing that depression was controlling his life, but not knowing that he could discuss it with people.
The last part of the book got a bit more philosophical and had ideas that I didn’t totally agree with, or rather, had elements missing. I personally believe that the author puts too much emphasis on communication and therapy as the cure for depression, I’m in the camp that sometimes depression really is just an imbalance of chemicals in the brain which leads to the mood problems and unwanted thoughts, which would explain the hereditary element.
Baaaaack to the book though, the writing style has a debut novel feel to it which I think is perfect in this case. The rawness of the writing is what makes you feel like you’re sat in the pub with a mate who’s telling you the story of his life and how he finally reached a happy point in his life. 'Brutally honest' is something I think we'll be hearing a lot of when it comes to this book, Grayburn bears his soul - warts an' all.
This book is probably the most important one I'll read this year, I can't recommend it enough for those lads out there who are pretending that they're not struggling with depression or any kind of mental illness. You might be able to connect with this book in a way that you can't with people you know, so please give it a go.
This is a tough book to review, as memoirs always are but especially so because this is about such a tricky subject matter. If you don’t 100% enjoy/approve of a memoir, you feel like you’re casting judgement on the author’s life which is something that I just can't do.
So let’s put this as delicately as possible…
The purpose of this book means so much to me, it’s about reaching out to younger men and telling them that it’s time to speak out about depression.
The first three quarters of this book is Grayburn explaining how depression affected him – from before his diagnosis, to his problems with medication and finally being ‘outed’ when his girlfriend found his pills in his bag. This part is so necessary - a regular bloke talking about his regular life and how he felt knowing that depression was controlling his life, but not knowing that he could discuss it with people.
The last part of the book got a bit more philosophical and had ideas that I didn’t totally agree with, or rather, had elements missing. I personally believe that the author puts too much emphasis on communication and therapy as the cure for depression, I’m in the camp that sometimes depression really is just an imbalance of chemicals in the brain which leads to the mood problems and unwanted thoughts, which would explain the hereditary element.
Baaaaack to the book though, the writing style has a debut novel feel to it which I think is perfect in this case. The rawness of the writing is what makes you feel like you’re sat in the pub with a mate who’s telling you the story of his life and how he finally reached a happy point in his life. 'Brutally honest' is something I think we'll be hearing a lot of when it comes to this book, Grayburn bears his soul - warts an' all.
This book is probably the most important one I'll read this year, I can't recommend it enough for those lads out there who are pretending that they're not struggling with depression or any kind of mental illness. You might be able to connect with this book in a way that you can't with people you know, so please give it a go.
May 10, 2021
I really liked the idea and concept of this book however it was difficult to warm to the author due to his writing style. I found it didn’t flow quite as nicely as others on this topic, making it more difficult to feel the raw emotion.
April 23, 2017
Boys don’t cry tells the inspirational story of Tim Grayburn’s battle with depression and anxiety, how it took hold of his world, effecting his daily life and those around him. I read this book in just over 2 hours, and it has resonated in my mind in the two days since I put it down. It is that good.
Set out in three parts, Tim’s story is raw, honest, and captivating from start to finish.
I love and admire how, throughout the book, Tim has put the stigma of men suffering silently with depression under a microscope, dissecting the silent killer piece by piece, until your left with the true facts of what it does to the human body and mind, especially being a man and how it left him feeling emasculated. He uses no airs and graces when discussing the topic, which I feel adds in his favour at packing a punch and getting his story and message across.
At time’s it’s difficult to read some of the darker experiences he has endured due to this crippling mental illness, but in a way it’s the hard hitting reality we all, men and women, need to hear and read about if we are to recognize the signs and tackle this disease.
I found his honesty and bravery to be endearing. His words flow perfectly from page to page, each chapter as fascinating as the previous one.
I realised quite early on hat nothing was off limits when it came to Tim writing this book. He cover’s every aspect imaginable, from the bursts of uncalled aggression he sometimes felt, to the dips in moods he would have, which he would mask with a smile around friends and loved ones, not wanting them to see he was suffering. His self-hate and embarrassment is laid bare on the pages for us all to see, you can’t help but have empathy for him.
His discussion around medication and how easily it is prescribed to patients is of value to this whole book. His attention to detail of the effects of taking anti-depressant’s, and the pro’s and con’s surrounding them are sincerely fascinating, and at time’s harrowing to read.
It’s incredibly beautiful to hear him write so highly of his family and friends, not wanting to give too much away, but there is a particular moment with his mother that tugs at the readers heart, and I defy anyone not to well up picturing that revelation taking place. The monumental turning point is the day he meet’s the love of his life, Bryony. It’s a love that seeps through the words on the page, as you realize love at first sight is a real thing and can happen when you least expect it. Bryony opens his eyes to the world of playwriting and theatre, giving him a reason to branch out in to something completely new, exciting, and at times scary, triggering an array of emotions. I won’t delve any further in to what happens from there on, as I don’t want to steal the experience from the reader, who I believe will find it as fascinating as I did.
Boys that don’t cry is a truly inspirational and well crafted piece of work. It's hard to fathom this is his first book.
This is a book that needs to be read by all, especially males of any age. It is honest depictions such as these by Tim Grayburn, that can save a person’s life.
This is a story of depression and anxiety, yes. But it is also a book on self-reflection, self-awareness, and love. I hope Tim realises how important this book is right now, in this day and age, when the only time we hear about mental illness in men is when a male celebrity takes their own life or a man hurts another human being and it makes the news. I only wish we had people like him in our schools, educating young adults on the topic. I hope this book will be the first of many to come from Tim Grayburn. I encourage you all to pre-order/buy your copy now.
I would like to give a massive thanks to Hodder and stoughton for sending me a proof of this book, it's been greatly appreciated.
RATING: 5/5
Set out in three parts, Tim’s story is raw, honest, and captivating from start to finish.
I love and admire how, throughout the book, Tim has put the stigma of men suffering silently with depression under a microscope, dissecting the silent killer piece by piece, until your left with the true facts of what it does to the human body and mind, especially being a man and how it left him feeling emasculated. He uses no airs and graces when discussing the topic, which I feel adds in his favour at packing a punch and getting his story and message across.
At time’s it’s difficult to read some of the darker experiences he has endured due to this crippling mental illness, but in a way it’s the hard hitting reality we all, men and women, need to hear and read about if we are to recognize the signs and tackle this disease.
I found his honesty and bravery to be endearing. His words flow perfectly from page to page, each chapter as fascinating as the previous one.
I realised quite early on hat nothing was off limits when it came to Tim writing this book. He cover’s every aspect imaginable, from the bursts of uncalled aggression he sometimes felt, to the dips in moods he would have, which he would mask with a smile around friends and loved ones, not wanting them to see he was suffering. His self-hate and embarrassment is laid bare on the pages for us all to see, you can’t help but have empathy for him.
His discussion around medication and how easily it is prescribed to patients is of value to this whole book. His attention to detail of the effects of taking anti-depressant’s, and the pro’s and con’s surrounding them are sincerely fascinating, and at time’s harrowing to read.
It’s incredibly beautiful to hear him write so highly of his family and friends, not wanting to give too much away, but there is a particular moment with his mother that tugs at the readers heart, and I defy anyone not to well up picturing that revelation taking place. The monumental turning point is the day he meet’s the love of his life, Bryony. It’s a love that seeps through the words on the page, as you realize love at first sight is a real thing and can happen when you least expect it. Bryony opens his eyes to the world of playwriting and theatre, giving him a reason to branch out in to something completely new, exciting, and at times scary, triggering an array of emotions. I won’t delve any further in to what happens from there on, as I don’t want to steal the experience from the reader, who I believe will find it as fascinating as I did.
Boys that don’t cry is a truly inspirational and well crafted piece of work. It's hard to fathom this is his first book.
This is a book that needs to be read by all, especially males of any age. It is honest depictions such as these by Tim Grayburn, that can save a person’s life.
This is a story of depression and anxiety, yes. But it is also a book on self-reflection, self-awareness, and love. I hope Tim realises how important this book is right now, in this day and age, when the only time we hear about mental illness in men is when a male celebrity takes their own life or a man hurts another human being and it makes the news. I only wish we had people like him in our schools, educating young adults on the topic. I hope this book will be the first of many to come from Tim Grayburn. I encourage you all to pre-order/buy your copy now.
I would like to give a massive thanks to Hodder and stoughton for sending me a proof of this book, it's been greatly appreciated.
RATING: 5/5
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews