SWING LOW: A LIFE

 Miriam Toews. SWING LOW: A Life. Stoddart, 2000. 

A beautiful book written from inside "manic depression" by the ill man, Mel Toews, with his daughter as amanuensis. 

Knowing the outcome made it less traumatizing for this reader. My take-away is the criminal way the family members of someone with a mental illness are held responsible for their care, with no help, professional or otherwise. Caretaker burnout and lack of appropriate treatment in a secure setting. 

The daughter's description is heart-warming, stressing Mel's success as a beloved teacher, and showcasing his love of words, writing, and word-play. For example, designing his own "Do Not Disturb" sign for his hospital door. He says it should say: "Come on in. The patient is already disturbed." Great, dare I say, typically Mennonite sense of humour. It struck me later that his bi-polar presented as mania at school/work and depression at home.