Book Review: Secrets for the Mad by Dodie Clark

Secrets for the Mad by Dodie Clark
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A therapy session for about 20 EUR: that's not a deal, that's a steal.

Dodie's book Secrets for the Mad is probably one of the most stunning books I've ever held in my hands (by a slight margin surpassing even A Velocity of Being: Letters to A Young Reader, a lovely gift from Katka, which is always on top of my bookshelf). I started to read the Kindle version, but just a few pages in, I knew this wouldn't work. I scrambled out of my bed where I was safely tucked in, ready for a reading session, and I threw on some clothes, jumped on the tram, and went straight to the nearest bookstore to buy the physical copy. Trust me, it's not easy to get me out of bed during a reading session, especially when there's a lovely steaming cup of tea next to me -- that's how gorgeous the book was.

I didn't know much about Dodie before. I think (?) I saw Kamča read this book, and that's how it got on my radar. Maybe the cover caught my eye. I mean, it does have a girl with a ukulele on it. Plus, I think I'll reach for anything that says it's "for the mad" (no reason!). I'm not even sure I knew what kind of book it was at first. If you don't know either, it's primarily diary entries and reflections on different times and events of Dodie's life, interlaced with her song lyrics. The topics span... well, everything really. Her growing up, mental health, social awkwardness, friendships, sexuality, experience with abusive relationships, thoughts on fame, family and family issues, being a woman in this world, wanting to fit in, her hopes, fears, anxieties -- there are even a few recipes there... so really, lots of ground gets covered.

The vulnerable honesty and mindful reflections are where the book shines the most. Dodie shies away neither from topics so painful that they constrict your chest and make your breathing all shallow nor from sharing with the reader times when she wasn't behaving her best, which creates a very precious, raw atmosphere. There were times when I felt myself being cut open (particularly in the chapters on intimate relationships). But somehow, it all healed by the end of the book. It felt like reading my own diary entries, except that someone kind wrote the ending for me, suggesting that it was all worth it in the end. Thank you, Dodie.

If you want a little peak into Dodie's artwork, I suggest you start with her song that gave the book its title: Secret for the Mad. I think it's a perfect introduction and a theme song for the book.

I recommend the book to all of my hyper-sensitive buddies out there. It was so beautiful to read about experiences so close to mine, and it made me feel less alone and more like I possess a secret superpower.

Finally, a story stuck in my mind about Dodie feeling horrible at some point when a fan approached her on the street. She took a picture with them, and as they were walking away, she pondered whether to try to reach out to them or if it would be too awkward. She recalls saying something about feeling bad, and they just laughed awkwardly and left. I know how hard it can be to be present enough to react in a way you would like to, but, boy, do I keep imagining being there instead of that person and giving Dodie a big, bear-like hug and taking her for a walk with a warm cup of coffee in our hands and talking and talking. And now that I re-read this paragraph, this is the ultimate feeling the book gave me and what it was about for me: a shared humanity.

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