SANE Book of the Year 2004 (audio CD)
by Richard McLean

Edinburgh, 1994: 'I am crouching in an alleyway. They can't see me here, so for the moment I am safe. There must be hundreds of loudspeakers projecting secret messages at me, and umpteen video cameras tracking every move I make. They will tie me up, soak my feet in water and have goats lick my feet down to the bone.'

Melbourne, 2003: 'Nowadays I say that I am recovered, not cured. I have a job, I have my band, I have my friends and my family. I pay my taxes and do the dishes; I'm independent. A couple of pills a day keep me slightly lethargic yet 'sane'. I can live with that.'

Mental illness is common, and often devastating. In this day and age it is a treatable condition, yet many are left untreated, misunderstood. Richard McLean is one of the lucky ones. His words and pictures give us a unique and poignant insight into a hidden, internal world. 'This is a powerful, quirky and important book. Powerful because it goes straight to the heart of battling a psychotic illness. Quirky because of the author's abundant creativity - and the delight of his illustrations. Important because it outstrips anything else I have read about schizophrenia for its insight into the nature of psychotic thinking and behaviour. McLean writes with a bold simplicity and deftly avoids melodrama and bathos.' Anne Deveson

About the Author: Richard McLean is a graphic artist/illustrator currently working for the Age newspaper in Melbourne. This is his first book.'" (Source: Allen & Unwin) Prizes: - Highly Commended 2003: Human Rights Award; Arts Non-fiction category. - 2004 SANE Book of the Year

To hear a free excerpt from the book visit www.recoverednotcured.com