A Note Of Madness - Book Review

A Note Of Madness tells the story of Flynn, a talented young pianist who is reading for a degree at the Royal College of Music. One of his lecturers recommends him for a prestigious concert, which for Flynn would be the opportunity of a lifetime. He is eventually chosen but this means that there are hectic weeks ahead of him. Together with his mentor, Flynn opts for Rachmaninoff's 3rd concerto, one of the most difficult pieces ever written for piano. Therefore he has to cope with strenuous rehearsals, besides his coursework.

At first he is doing just fine, but before long, pressure starts mounting and Flynn finds it increasingly difficult to manage. He becomes hyperactive, moving from one thing to the next without ever pausing. These manic moments are intercut by episodes of extreme depression where he starts feeling that he is not good enough and will not be able to play properly. Flynn's mood swings drive Harry, his flatmate, nuts, and even his friend Jennah starts worrying about Flynn's lifestyle.

Tabitha Suzuma's book deals with manic depression. This is a condition where a person would be feeling on top of the world one moment, and very depressed the other. It is a good book that despite being derivative, tackles the issue of mental health in a very sensitive and humane manner. Recommended for readers 14+