Jennie Dodd

The Grim Reaper: The Dark Side of Depression Jennie Dodd

Description

The 'Grim Reaper' is a story based partly on true events. However, all the characters and all the institutions mentioned are entirely imaginary and any resemblance to persons living or dead or actual events are purely coincidental. The reader will enter an unfolding tragedy about a loving couple who will experience the misery mental health problems can bring to a relationship and to families.

This is a chilling tale about the awful experiences of a middle-aged woman called Ruth and her husband, Robert. The 'Grim Reaper' of the title is the demonic and malevolent being who torments Ruth and tries to take her for his own by getting her to kill herself. Robert - her life-long love- and to a lesser extent, her son, Sean, try to help her overcome her problems.

The story poses many as yet unanswered questions. Can external forces of evil beyond our control affect and impact on our lives? Is it right that in the present day under the UK's mental health act, patients can lose all their legal rights and all their human rights? Is it right that the forced administering of psychotropic drugs (known as the 'chemical cosh) is still going on in the UK's mental hospitals and that this remains a closely guarded and very dark secret?

About the Author

Jennie Dodd was born in 1950 in the picturesque market town of Shrewsbury in Shropshire. Educated at the Wakeman Grammar Technical School she developed a love of art and English literature and excelled in sport. In 1968 she entered Glamorgan College of Education where she studied advanced main physical education and subsidiary art and English for three years. She began her teaching career at the Bryntirion Comprehensive School in Bridgend, Glamorgan in 1971. She retired from teaching in 2010 and now devotes her time to writing. Jennie currently lives in Shropshire with her husband, Russell, and son, Alexander.