As I had previously encountered author Sharon Garlough Brown via her Sensible Shoes series, when I had the opportunity to review her newest book Shades of Light, I jumped at the opportunity. Shades of Light is a multi-layered story which focuses on a young woman, Wren, and her life-long friend, Casey, who both are mentally ill particularly depression but also anxiety and suicidal ideation. Their experiences and choices throughout the book such as being in a psychiatric hospital, receiving counseling and spiritual direction, and simply trying to continue living end in drastically different ways. Several other characters throughout the book have also had experiences with mental illness and share their experiences and healing with the main characters. This use of older, wiser individuals who pour into her helps to make Wren feel not so alone and to know that others also belong to the "community of suffering."
As a Christian book published by InterVarsity Press, Shades of Light addresses Christian responses to mental illness. Brown includes the wide variety of perspectives Christians have concerning mental illness. These range from full acknowledgement that mental illness is real and caused by a chemical imbalance to those who feel like mental illness is due to unconfessed sin or simply the need to pray harder. Brown's very real depictions of the cruel statements made by individuals who misunderstand these issues may make you angry. I know I was. Readers will be reminded that Christians who experience mental illness are not less godly because of their illness and that many individuals with whom they interact on a regular basis may be experiencing or have experienced mental illness.
Throughout the book, Wren uses art and especially painting as a way of processing and coping with her illness. She is particularly entranced with the art work of Vincent Van Gogh who is frequently referred to as simply "Vincent." Sharon Garlough Brown very carefully and deftly weaves in the story of Van Gogh who also struggled with mental illness and his Christian faith. Reading Shades of Light may cause readers to seek out Van Gogh's paintings, letters, and additional information about his life. Anticipating this, Brown includes a list of several books about Van Gogh for further reading and the paintings mentioned throughout the book.
While Shades of Light is not a sequel to the Sensible Shoes series, there are a few cross-over characters, particularly Kit, and the story also is set in the fictional town of Kingsbury, MI and largely at the New Hope Retreat Center. Like the previous series, spiritual formation plays a central role in the story. The characters participate in a wide variety of spiritual formation activities which demonstrate that there are multiple avenues to interact with Christ and grow your spiritual life. Different people and different times frequently require different paths. Brown does an excellent job of reminding readers that spiritual formation is not a "one-size-fits-all" solution. Many readers will be intrigued by some of the various options mentioned. Specifically, while many readers may be familiar with lectio divina, Shades of Light introduces the concept of visio divina or using art in prayer. Additional practices mentioned include lighting a Christ candle and the prayer of examen, specifically consolation and desolation. In addition a study guide is available for this wonderful book. The study guide combines reading the book, interacting with scripture, reflection questions, and other spiritual disciplines. The study guide would be best utilized in a group setting although individuals would find it useful as well.
This book is highly recommended for individuals who have experienced or know someone who has experienced mental illness. Counselors and others who work in the mental health field will also benefit from reading Shades of Light.
Disclosure: I received an early copy of this book as a member of the launch team. As such I purchased the book and was not under any obligation to provide a positive review.
