A very courageous and honest account. The telling through poem and pictures allows the reader to be deeply immersed in the darkness, followed by the light that emerged following these terrible experiences. The process of accepting, forgiving, loving and nurturing one’s shadow side is apparent in each page.
—Jacki Gautam, Naturopath, Reiki practitioner and Lucia Light attendant, Central Victoria
********************
Annabel Harz takes her readers, using poetry and artwork, into the depths of her broken heart, fractured mind and painful past and then brings them back out the other side with hope, strength, bravery and a feeling of healing and the self-acceptance she deserves. This book is real and painful, yet also insightful and fearless.
—Martina Eaton, Community Development Worker, Victoria
********************
Raw and confronting. A must-read for anyone who loves, cares about or works with people who suffer from depression.
As a fellow sufferer it resonates on the darkest levels of the soul, tortured by one’s own mind. A rare, genuine glimpse into the pain, chaos and suffering that can be experienced, with a positive light at the end: giving hope to those still stuck in the earlier phases of shadow, survival and space, that with hard work and determination, recovery in the sunshine is possible.
—Hayley Amber, Melbourne
********************
Annabel Harz is very talented … as someone who has travelled the road of severe and debilitating depression several times in my life’s journey (so far) I find her work relatable.
—female Aboriginal Elder, Melbourne
********************
Annabel’s deeply personal collection of poems and visual art places the reader alongside her, as she struggles from the depths of despair toward joy and fulfilment. It really does take the reader on a journey.
May her courage in sharing such vulnerability help those that are suffering most to feel less alone and find a glimmer of hope.
—Darren Rapsey, Melbourne
********************
The reader cannot help but be in awe of the strength of this extraordinary woman. Her beguiling artwork is at once innocent yet also layered with meaning and intent. It is a pleasure to be invited into Annabel’s world.
—Christine Ruff, Melbourne
********************
When words so incisively and uniquely capture the experiences of pain, misery, shame and heartache, it gives the mind and soul a new way of understanding these events. And perhaps, these words then help to heal. Annabel’s words reflect the experiences of so many who span the wide spectrums of gender, age and neurodiversity. As painful as these words might be for some of us to read, these words also give hope — a pathway out of a dark place.
—Sonia Street, Senior Psychologist, private practice; Psychology Board-approved psychology supervisor; teaching associate, Monash University
********************
It would be difficult not to feel moved by Annabel’s raw and personal work. The beauty of this book is the transition from emotions of her feeling hopeless and powerless to understanding that to enable healing, strength and love always needs to come from within. Thank you, Annabel, for openly sharing your emotional journey, I’m sure it will give hope to many.
—Christa Green, Intuitive Guidance and BodyTalk Practitioner, Sydney
********************
Thank you for a courageous book. Telling this story gives others the confidence and empowerment to face unimaginable trauma and despair. It shows us a healing pathway.
– Irene Bouzo, Temple Society Australia
********************
I felt a bit churned up after reading it – understanding perhaps a little, just a little, of what must have been a traumatic journey for you.
My favourite poem is Oval Moon, particularly line 3 and 4 which resonated with me as I think about what it means to be hitting 50 in the next month. A lot of the earlier poems were also really effective but I couldn’t ‘like’ them because behind them was so much pain for you.
So thank you very much again – I will treasure your book.
– Michele Kennedy, Secondary School Assistant Principal, Regional Victoria
********************
Annabel is a beautiful person who has captured her darkest moments through heartfelt poems and provoking art. By opening doors to mindfulness through self-expression, she has been able to develop trusted relationships and share her stories. A wonderful book and opportunity for any reader to delve into their own connections with the subject matter and/or explore as a conversation with others.
– Jacqui Rapsey, Primary School Teacher, Melbourne
********************
Her poems and naïve artworks graphically and very bravely illustrate her development over that time. The book is divided into three parts titled: Dark, Alchemy and Light. The illustrations and poems capture the gradual transition from deep depression to a more enlightened time in her life. It is a brave book, in which Annabel bares her soul to the world, and which one hopes was cathartic. She describes the light at the end of a very dark tunnel.
– Nancy Whittaker, Arts About, Tarrangower Times, Maldon; former Art Education Lecturer at Melbourne University (formerly Melbourne College of Advanced Education), and Victorian Education Department Policy Officer for the Arts
********************
I found your book was pretty and articulated, in a beautiful way, a journey that is challenging, and ongoing. As a professional in human services I am aware of the challenging nature of your journey you went through, to create this attractive book.
– Neil Boyack, Team Leader – Kinship Team, Child & Family Services Ballarat Inc. (CAFS)
********************
Paperback and beautifully illustrated. Hard hitting. Hopeful. Like nothing I’ve ever read before.
– Christine Morris, Adult Educator in English as an Additional Language, Melbourne
********************
A raw and honest reflection of a life throughout the sad, angry and difficult times, emerging into a much happier, stronger and fulfilled person. A very brave collection of poetry that is inspiring. The simple drawings work really well with the flavour of the book. A very unique book.
– Robyn Canning, Whittlesea U3A Creative Writing Group
********************
Seeing how lovely your book has given me more permission to combine my poetry and my art/photography into a book.
– Paul Hollander, Whittlesea U3A Creative Writing Group
********************
Annabel Harz: Author and Artist 