November 1, 2013 / Leslie

Spotlight & Giveaway: Songs of Three Islands by Millicent Monks

Thanks to the publicist, I have a copy of the memoir Songs of Three Islands by Millicent Monks to give away to one of my readers with a US mailing address. I haven’t had a chance to read my copy yet but I am looking forward to diving into it soon.

Following is a little information about the book and the author.

Songs of Three Islands
A Story of Mental Illness in an Iconic American Family
by Millicent Monks

Genre: Memoir
Publisher: Prospecta Press
Publish Date: October 8, 2013
Format: Paperback | 264 pages

About the Book

Songs of Three Islands is a stunning memoir about the wealthy Carnegie family’s struggle with mental illness, combined with a beautifully evoked meditation on motherhood.

In describing five generations of mental instability in the female line of her family Millicent Monks attempts to bring mental illness out of the shadows and comfort those who are suffering from thoughts and feelings they don’t always understand.

In her own words “People, they say, are divided into two kinds: those who have known inescapable sorrow and those who have not. Because sorrow cannot be changed, one’s lifestyle and feelings must be changed to accommodate it.”

This heartfelt account highlights the struggle and frustration felt as you watch those you love being destroyed by mental illness. It’s easy to presume that having riches beyond your wildest dreams automatically means you have it all, but being blighted by mental illness is something many families, rich and poor alike, struggle to come to terms with. This memoir will not only leave the reader feeling positive and enlightened, but filled with enormous admiration for and gratitude towards Millicent Monks for sharing this unique story about her legendary family. This frank account highlights her own personal struggle and determination to survive against many odds.

About the Author

Millicent Monks was born into the legendary Carnegie family, in which serious mental illness has affected four generations of women. Mental illness has played a prominent and overwhelming part in her life. Her search for answers led her to Jungian analysis, meditation and sutras, which have helped her to find a delicate peace amid the devastating mental illness in her family. She shares her story in the hopes that it will help other families.

“If I can do something worthwhile to help people with children who are mentally ill,” says Monks, “I would think that was something worth accomplishing in my life.”

Giveaway Information

Giveaway is open to those 18 years or older with a US mailing address. To enter, leave a comment on or before November 13, 2013. For an extra entry tweet or blog the giveaway and leave the link in your comment. I will draw a random winner who will be contacted by email and have 48 hours to respond with a mailing address.