This book represents the beginning of Hannah Higgins’ story, as well as the rebirth of my authorship – we’d love to have you along for the ride. Available as E-book and paperback print-on-demand.
Synopsis
This is the story of Hannah Higgins, a 40-year-old woman who after decades of forcing herself to work her life away is faced with the devastating effects of a normal work-life balance.
We follow her journey over the course of a year, during which she suffers a mental breakdown and is forced to go on sick leave to sort herself out. You will see her dealing with her inner makings through different forms of therapy, whilst trying to balance cultivating interpersonal relationships with her inability to set boundaries. You’ll see her resorting to self-harm with alcohol, food, sex, sharp objects and putting herself in awkward situations to avoid dealing with any real emotional pain, whilst trying to face the challenges of everyday life – interspersed with her dark sense of humour and laugh-out-loud inducing commentary, offering a slightly lighter tinted lens for us observe it all.
Whether you’re struggling with mental illness yourself, you’re close to someone who does, or you’re just interested in the field of psychology or how the diagnostics process works (or doesn’t), you’ll find something here that’s just for you. The more you get to know Hannah, the more you’ll want to shake some sense into her, hug her or even slap her – but you won’t be able to put her down.
She’s ugly, abrasive, difficult to love – as is her story. But for some reason, there’s still some life left in her. Sometimes you’ve got to hit rock bottom before you can find your way, but – as Hannah is about to find out – rock bottom has many layers.
The spawning of the Hannah-verse
The author is a journalist in her 40s, who through a difficult childhood adopted increasingly detrimental ways of dealing with everyday life in order to protect herself. Creating Hannah’s fictional universe and sometimes channelling her own pain through Hannah became a way of gaining perspective and creating a narrative that allowed her to explore an alternate reality whilst putting her psychology studies and interest in mental health research to good use. In real life, she tries and fails – and sometimes succeeds – at navigating life through the her newfound perspective of actually wanting to live after having tried for so many years to end her own life, much like Hannah.
She’s currently working on the follow-up to Hannah’s story…
Hannah’s Life in Reverse is set to hit shelves in 2026. Until then, you can follow the blog.
Hannah is on an excursion to find reasons and ways to make her foundation more solid, sustainable and resilient. The next part of the story is just around the corner, so keep your peepers peeled!
Whether you’re struggling with mental illness yourself, you’re close to someone who does, or you’re just interested in the field of psychology or how the diagnostics process works (or doesn’t), you’ll find something here that’s just for you. The more you get to know Hannah, the more you’ll want to shake some sense into her, hug her or even slap her – but you won’t be able to put her down.
You shouldn’t take my word for it, of course, but you can check out some of the reviews the book has received on the Review’s page. Or simply read it yourself and make up your own mind about it.
Reviewers can get in touch with Books on Demand for a free E-copy – just remember to mention the title in your email.
Gonzo With the Wind 