Hello Dear Readers, it’s been a long time since I’ve written and even longer since I’ve written a book review. I actually have two book reviews due from earlier in the year. I’m going to post this one first since it’s a short book, and will post the late book review entitled, Santander by David Ellison.
For now, on with the book review of Night Shift by Debi Gliori!
So, I happened upon this book in Dollar Tree of all places. I immediately recognized the author’s name since I’ve been reading her books for years. Without a second thought, I put it in my basket and decided to read as I waited to check out. I was pleasantly surprised as I read the tiny book. I was equally as shocked as I am used to Gliori writing children’s books, not books dealing with this heavy subject matter.
Upon opening the book, it’s not immediately apparent that this is not a children’s book. Firstly, it’s small (7.36 x 6.1) and secondly, it has charcoal illustrations that are reminiscent of Peter Reynolds’ work (one of my favorite children’s book authors, mostly known for Ish & The Dot).
I had my first clue that this book was, perhaps, not a children’s book when I read the opening line:
“I don’t know when it began. Perhaps it drifted in at night like fog.” Tears came to my eyes as I read that line as it dawned on me that this book was possibly about depression that I’m all too familiar with since I’ve been dealing with it since elementary school.
I understood that line all too well. The message was brought home by the illustrations which shows how perfectly awful depression has been for me. It comes in like a fog; you know how fog rolls in, slowly at first, then it’s all around you- all encompassing. As I read more and looked closely at the illustrations, I began to take in the complete picture. Gliori gives subtle hints throughout the book as she eases the reader into the subject matter. I was quite taken with the illustrations once I realized what the book was about. After that, I looked for clues in everything. It’s funny what you can see when you open your eyes; almost everything takes on a totally different meaning. That’s when I noticed that the drawing had shadows. I then went back to look at the book cover to see if I could find other clues that authors give in the cover of the book. I also saw something I hadn’t seen before- the dragon, the dragon’s tail, and a feather (It’s significant).
The writing is brilliant. I especially liked the book because a child can read this book and not read anything too deep into it. It can literally be a book about fog or dragons or to older readers, what it’s really about.
Gliori has many quotables in the book. Here are some I found particularly moving:
“But I had lost my compass and without it any map was pointless.”
“It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”
This saying goes with the picture below. She then lists night skills: I loved this one- “Night skills: holding fast to nothing in the knowledge that nothing will last forever.” I can tell you that I’ve definitely felt this way too many times in my life. This was particularly relevant to me because I have this saying, “Nothing too good or too bad lasts for long.” When I saw that, I felt that Gliori & I were kindred spirits. She speaks my words.
Bottom line: I identified so strongly with this book. Tears involuntarily came to my eyes as I read it. I feel like I want to take the book apart and frame the book page by page. I highly recommend it for all ages. Gliori’s transparency as she painfully bares her soul in this book is so heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. She gives a true picture of how depression really feels. Even if her words didn’t capture it perfectly enough, the illustrations definitley did. That leads me to my next point regarding the illustrations. Because of the illustrations, the book can be given as a gift for a school age child, a teenager, or an adult because it can be interpreted in so many ways. For those who can identify with the subject matter, I’m sorry. However, there is comfort knowing that you’re not alone.
On a scale of Meh to Buy It, I’d rate it Buy It. You won’t be disappointed!
Here’s a video of Debi Gliori discussing the book @ https://vimeo.com/260210791 (14:52)
Article by Debi Gliori about the book: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/health-fitness/night-shift-symbolises-battles-depression-9626567
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