Prozac Nation: Young and Depressed in America: A Memoir

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Summary: Could this prove therapy in itself?
Review: What makes this one of the most brilliant pieces of prose ever publisher, is not its linguistic beauty, nor the seduction of the narrative - it is quite simply one the most uplifting books I have ever read. This may sound odd, but as a sufferer from severe depression, this book did for me what Prozac could not. It provided a wholly rational account of my irrational situation. The feeling of empathy moved this young man to tears. Quite stunning!

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Summary: This is my favorite book in the world.
Review: I don't read much but I finished this book in a few hours because it was SOOO great. It kept me reading the whole time. I could really identify, which is a little scary, but GREAT at the same time.

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Summary: eye-opening, packed full of insight into depression
Review: This book hit home for me as I have a loved one who has gone through a terrible ordeal with depression which was brought on by the recently diagnosed, but long-term problem of Social Phobia. For anyone who is dealing with a friend or loved one who would like to gain insight into the thoughts and feelings of the person going through this pain, I highly recommend this book. Depression and other similar problems are so hard to understand when you are not the person going through it. It is hard to fathom that the things going through the persons head exist when you cannot feel or understand them yourself. I can relate and empathize so much more concerning the feelings and pain my loved one has been through from reading this book. Thank you Elizabeth, first of all for having the guts to write this book, and for the help you have given me (and I know a lot of other people as well).

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Summary: A brave piece of work
Review: I just got around to reading "Prozac Nation," four years after it came out. I had no idea it would be so good. Initially, I was annoyed by all the talk surrounding it: Harvard girl gone mad. Elizabeth Wurtzel is a bold, brave, fine writer. She tells her story in compelling prose, paints a distinct picture of her surroundings outside and inside her brain. Her travels through depression are told in a clear manner, allowing insight into a disease I knew nothing about, except that it existed. Sometimes the details are a little too relentless, but on the whole, this is a riveting read, a fascinating story told by an excellent writer.

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Summary: The cult of whine
Review: Well Lizzie: Wonder what you would have done just a mere 60 years ago, when the nation had not been saved by WWII. What would you have done before the transcontinal RR was built, and if you wanted to get to San Francisco, one walked or if rich, rode on a horse or mule? The problem with today's younger generations is that they have no concept of history and what it took to stay alive, just a few years ago. This not the Age of Aqurius, but rather, The Age of Whine. The cult of someone did to me and it is not my fault, is in accendance. Don't waste time on this one!

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Summary: It made me deal with the unpleasant things in mylife.
Review: This book is a great one to read if you have ever felt isolated, confused about your feelings, and even just depressed. Wurtzel paints an accurate picture of what it is like to be in the darkness of depression and is very truthful to her audience.

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Summary: self-centered but right
Review: Wurtzel writes beautifully and has a lot of sharp opinions, but she seemed to use her depression as a crutch to get her through her life. Everything was depression this, depression that, never anyone else but herself. As one who has had similar episodes, I can tell you she is right about her portrayal of depression; however, she remains very self-centered and purposely isolated throughout her struggle. Depression is not something to be taken lightly, but, as she points out, it has become something of a fad, and those true sufferers are left in the dark, literally, when the others treat it like an insignificant "phase" of life. Definitely read it, even if you disagree with her ideas.

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Summary: if you are or think you are suffering from depression...
Review: A must-read for anyone with a friend or family member struggling with depression, a must-read for anyone suffering from depression themselves. A clear, honest look at the actual experience of depression in the late 20th century - for those who have not experienced depression themselves, Prozac Nation lays depression's cards out on the table, not just the causes, but also the effects. For those suffering from the disease, it's comforting (at some level) to know that you are not alone, and that it doesn't have to last forever..

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Summary: Author goes on tangents, and into self pity
Review: Prozac Nation, while often an accurate depiction of the torment of depressed individuals, is incredibly repetitive, and Wurtzel often falls into self-pity. As a former depressive, it is true that depression is more than a strong case of the blues, but to lament on the experience for 350 pages is enough for the reader to fall into a depression of their own. Right in the middle of this book, the author stands on her soap-box and proceeds to preach to the reader about the virtues of abortion, and how she herself "would not have thought about [getting an abortion]" had she found out before her miscarriage. My sympathies were lost for her at this point, and it was apparent the author was on a completely irrelevant topic. Meanwhile, issue of Prozac as quite secondary to this book, but I do find it extreme hypocrisy for Wurtzel or anyone else to dismiss any antidepressant as a "happy-pill." I remind Wurtzel and her readers that Prozac is not the problem, but the countless psychologists who misdiagnose depression are. It is puzzling that Wurtzel, who rants endlessly about her perpetual sadness, has the guts to even breathe a negative thought about a drug that apparently saved her from suicide. Her commentary was beyond the scope of the book, and she would have done well to sing Prozac's praises.

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Summary: A true MUST-READER for all!!
Review: By far THE best book i've ever read in my entire 15 years of existance!! This book is so extremely true to life, and such a wonderful representation of how i feel every day! EVERYONE should read this book!!