Your Voice in My Head

A Memoir

By: Emma Forrest

Narrated by: Emma Forrest

Emma Forrest, a British journalist, was just 22 and living the fast life in New York City when she realized that her quirks had gone beyond eccentricity. In a cycle of loneliness, damaging relationships, and destructive behavior, she found herself in the chair of a slim, balding, and effortlessly optimistic psychiatrist--a man whose wisdom and humanity would wrench her from the dangerous tide after she tried to end her life. She was on the brink of drowning, but she was still working, still exploring, still writing, and she had also fallen deeply in love. One day, when Emma called to make an appointment with her psychiatrist, she found no one there. He had died, shockingly, at the age of 53, leaving behind a young family. Reeling from the premature death of a man who had become her anchor after she turned up on his doorstep, she was adrift. And when her all-consuming romantic relationship also fell apart, Emma was forced to cling to the page for survival and regain her footing on her own terms.

A modern-day fairy tale, Your Voice in My Head is a stunning memoir, clear-eyed and shot through with wit. In her unique voice, Emma Forrest explores the highs and lows of love and the heartbreak of loss.

©2011 Emma Forrest (P)2011 AudioGO

Great, quick read

This book was surprisingly amazing! Only surprising because I stumbled into it having heard nothing about it, read the cover blurb, and thought I’d check it out. I absolutely loved it start to finish.

Different read

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the book overall and it made me want to find out more about Dr. R.

so relatable

I was drawn into this book in such a visceral and emotional way. it was tremendously relatable.

Mesmerizing

Story line
Presentation
So much to marinate on
Thought provoking
Fascinating
Emma: a captivating story teller.

Really enjoyed this

My wife recommended this to me, it was very well done. I normally read history and sci-fi so this was a big departure for me but kept me listening.

A must finish!

I almost stopped listening to this book but I’m so glad I didn’t. Such a well rounded story and relatable, even if you do t share the exact same issues. Everyone could benefit from a Dr. R in their lives. 😊

Adored!

I adored this sweet story all the way around! I hope there’s more from this author.

An entertaining (if triggering and at times indulgent) love letter to a remarkable psychiatrist.

I would first and foremost need to caution anyone about to read this book that it’s full of graphic description surrounding suicide, mental illness, and self harm.

While the merit of this kind of writing is up for debate, I will say that Forrest’s storytelling is honest, entertaining, and at times profound and even touching.

This book is a real love letter to who I can only conclude was a remarkably special person and doctor. I was surprised at how moved I was, especially towards the end, by her tribute.

Heartbreaking and Honest

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Who wouldn't be completely and utterly devastated if Collin Farrell was madly in love with you for a year, wanted to have a child with you and even named her Pearl, expressed that he could not wait to be married to you and then just like that stop the love affair without explanation? But, that heartbreak is not what made Ms. Forrest almost take her life and cause her to cut her body with objects and her soul with an unknown to her and her loving family hatred of herself. She never blames her family and in facts loves them to pieces as they do her. That is what I found so admirable about her memoir. There was no blame. Her story helped show that deep dark depression can be a mind boggling mystery. For her to begin her climb out of the abyss it seemed to take strength, good fortune, money and medicine, good doctors and great parents, love and understanding, a wing and a prayer and the most important of them all a continued desire to get well at all costs.

If you could take any character from Your Voice in My Head out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Ms. Forrest's parents. They seemed to be pleasantly eccentric, delight in life and believe the best in their daughter despite sometimes witnessing the worst a parent can imagine.

stunning

What an extraordinary, engaging book. I listened straight through, and was sad when it ended. Such beautiful writing, but the honesty and humor is what made it feel like sitting up all night with a dear friend. Highly recommend.