Mariner Prozac Nation: Young and Depressed in America

An overly long self-centred splurge of a narration chronicling the clinical depression of ‘Ellie’ / ‘Lizzie’ Wurtzel as she passes through childhood, adolescence and early adulthood. It is basically autobiographical and pretty entertaining to read but is also overly detailed, frivolous and sensationalist in places. This of course reflects her illness though – she is eventually diagnosed with atypical depression.The one big issue I have is that despite all this apparent depression Wurtzel maintains her studies at Harvard University, writes articles in her spare time and holds down a summer job as a journalist in Texas. Simply put: she can’t ever have been that messed up or else she would never have been able to do these things. The activities she was doing would surely have required huge amounts of energy (?)The thing that saves this book – obviously – is Prozac. When the drug is finally prescribed and eventually kicks in after a few weeks Wurtzel’s depression and anxieties disappear, her prose style reflecting this by shedding its erratic quality and becoming more level-headed and informative. She ends by meditating upon her current ‘Prozac Nation’, that is, the apparent apathetic 1990s – encapsulated by the film Slacker and the rise and death of the band Nirvana.

I read this book when it was first published ,how times have changed in mental health for the better.The book when it appeared caused an enormous reaction but today in 2022 not so.There have been many thousands of books on the authors journey through mental illness and recovery I feel if Prozac nation appeared today no-one would notice.

I have just finished reading this book, it took me a few days to read.As a person struggling with depression I wanted to read something by someone whom had battled a similiar ailment so after searching I chose Prozac nation.Its an ok read, nothing spectacular, the author is obviously well educated and articulate by the way she writes. Towards the middle of the book I started to get fed up and frustrated at the author but I soon got back into it by the end just as I did at the begining.I wouldnt read this book again as it is quite draining but I would recommend this book to others.

Had some good parts. But there were long sections of rambling and self pity that just went on and on. Could have scrapped a lot of it. Was skimming the pages to finish it.

Wurtzel writes about depression better than anyone else I know apart from William Styron in "Darkness Visible". Time and again she comes up with a phrase or expression that stopped me reading and made me think - yes, that's just what it's like to be depressed. Her narrative is easy to read and she makes her life interesting even for someone who has no experience of depression. Ultimately, though, I found the book ended too abruptly. I am pleased for her sake that Prozac saved her from further depressive episodes - or so it seems - but my own experience of depression has left me with no confidence in the redeeming power of drugs. So, a good read, some interesting insights into a depressed mind, but not a definitive guide to how depression can end.