Unstable

In Unstable, Garrick Carson presents an unedited, intimate, unconscious collection of poems that takes the readers into the head of a man who has a problem with bipolar disorder and suicide. The book, even at the very beginning, proves to be more than a poetic expression: it is an emotional digging or searching of a mental health process that is typically shielded by stigma. Carson doesn't sugarcoat it. He reveals it in unadulterated candour, such as in 'Down and Out,' where he describes how being depressed is like a ton of bricks pounding your chest. These poems do not merely describe feelings but they make you experience the confusion and fatigue that comes with neurodivergence.

The book is interesting because it is neither too hopeless nor too strong. It explores the complexities of mental-health challenges but still provides the glimmer of hope. The preface elaborates that the poems were composed as catharsis to every person who feels lonely. Carson's words are based on experience and offer readers a hand of solidarity, who have undergone these trials or who are attempting to comprehend them. The book is readable and very accessible to the reader, and they can absorb the feelings without being confused by the language. It avoids pompous metaphors in favour of crude reality. In my opinion, the book is aimed at a certain group of readers such as people who are experiencing sadness, illness, or even suicidal ideation. It throws some light on their position and, although it may not be true for all readers, it is beyond reproach.

To any person who found themselves in the loop of mental illness, Unstable reminds us that we are not the only ones. It is a book of poems that people ought to read, because it is about the real human experience. Although the themes are serious and even disturbing, the book achieves its mission: shedding light on the darkness and demonstrating that there is a glimpse of hope even in the chaos. It is daring, it is warranted, and it is worth 4 stars.