TU Dublin Lecturer Dr Mary Ann Kenny Launches Powerful Memoir
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Dr Mary Ann Kenny, a Lecturer in German at TU Dublin, has released her debut memoir, The Episode: A True Story of Loss, Madness and Healing. Published by Sandycove, an Irish-focused imprint of Penguin Random House, the book offers an unflinching and insightful account of grief, psychosis, and recovery following the sudden death of her husband.
In the aftermath of her husband's passing, Mary Ann experienced severe depression and a descent into psychosis, leading to a 12-week hospitalisation in a Dublin psychiatric facility. Drawing from her medical records and personal recollections, she offers a detailed, day-by-day account of her experiences, shedding light on the complexities of mental illness and the limitations of traditional psychiatric care.
The memoir has received widespread critical acclaim for its honest portrayal of mental health struggles. The Irish Times described it as "a story of tenacity and bravery… visceral," while the Sunday Independent called it "a brave, necessary book" that critiques a system conflating medication with healing.
The Episode is available in hardback, ebook, and audiobook formats.