In his final year at the Royal College of Music, star pianist Flynn Laukonen has the world at his feet. He has moved in with his girlfriend Jennah and is already getting concert bookings for what promises to be a glittering career. Yet he knows he is skating on thin ice - only two small pills a day keep him from plunging back into the whirlpool of manic depression that once threatened to destroy him. Unexpectedly his friends seem to be getting annoyed with him for no apparent reason, he needs less and less sleep, he is filled with unbridled energy. Events begin to spiral out of control and Flynn suddenly finds himself in hospital, heavily sedated, carnage left behind him. The medication isn't working any more, the dose needs to be increased, and depression strikes again, this time with horrific consequences. His freedom is snatched away and the medicine's side-effects threaten to jeopardize his chances in one of the biggest piano competitions of his life. It seems like he has to make a choice between the medication and his career. But in all this he has forgotten the one person he would give his life for, and Flynn suddenly finds himself facing the biggest sacrifice of all.
A Voice in the Distance (Definitions)
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"With studies showing one in 10 children have a mental health disorder, this is a topical book with an emotional range that aids a breadth of understanding" (The Bookseller Jake Hope )
"Suzuma's novel effectively demonstrates that real love, sometimes, will involve setting the loved one free" (Irish Times 20080712)
"This is the kind of sequel that every excellent book deserves" (Inis 20080901)
"Suzuma is a master storyteller, dealing with her characters in a very realistic and uncompromising way" (Bookfest 20080925)
"A love story that tackles the reality of young adult depression in a thoughtful and sensitive way" (Irish Independent 20081208)
"Suzuma's novel effectively demonstrates that real love, sometimes, will involve setting the loved one free" (Irish Times 20080712)
"This is the kind of sequel that every excellent book deserves" (Inis 20080901)
"Suzuma is a master storyteller, dealing with her characters in a very realistic and uncompromising way" (Bookfest 20080925)
"A love story that tackles the reality of young adult depression in a thoughtful and sensitive way" (Irish Independent 20081208)
Book Description
A hard-hitting novel which shows how difficult it can be to love someone suffering from manic depression.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read 'A Voice in the Distance' in 2.25 hours exactly - that's how fab it was. I've read all 3 of Tabitha's books and I can definitely say it is one of the best I've ever read.
Flynn is such an immense character. I actually feel as if I can really relate to him. My problems havent been as bad as his, but I have had a mild version of what he goes through. I felt so sorry for Jennah as it must be so tough having to deal with a boyfriend who's completely different and alien to what you really love about them.
I have to say, this book did make me cry a bit at the end. I know not all books have a happy ending, this certainly wasn't, then I guess it sort of was at the same time, but I just couldn't stand Flynn being in such pain because when he went to the concert at the end of the story and saw Jennah so happy with people crowding around her and telling her how brilliant she was, it just felt like he'd lost a part of him.
This is why there definitely must be a next book to continue the story. I'm so eager to know what happens with Flynn and Jennah.....or at least I hope something happens between Flynn and Jennah.
I might only be thirteen, but I do know that this is one of the best books I've ever read and also, just to show off a bit, I've actually read the book three times, seriously. It might be strange, but I really did love that book so much.
So, I think I've pretty much said everything that needed to be said. 'A Voice in the Distance' is the deepest and best-written book about depression ever. I definitely reccommend this to anyone. I mean, maybe not to little kids, but teenagers and adults should definitely read this book because its truthful and really makes you think and want to read more!
Flynn is such an immense character. I actually feel as if I can really relate to him. My problems havent been as bad as his, but I have had a mild version of what he goes through. I felt so sorry for Jennah as it must be so tough having to deal with a boyfriend who's completely different and alien to what you really love about them.
I have to say, this book did make me cry a bit at the end. I know not all books have a happy ending, this certainly wasn't, then I guess it sort of was at the same time, but I just couldn't stand Flynn being in such pain because when he went to the concert at the end of the story and saw Jennah so happy with people crowding around her and telling her how brilliant she was, it just felt like he'd lost a part of him.
This is why there definitely must be a next book to continue the story. I'm so eager to know what happens with Flynn and Jennah.....or at least I hope something happens between Flynn and Jennah.
I might only be thirteen, but I do know that this is one of the best books I've ever read and also, just to show off a bit, I've actually read the book three times, seriously. It might be strange, but I really did love that book so much.
So, I think I've pretty much said everything that needed to be said. 'A Voice in the Distance' is the deepest and best-written book about depression ever. I definitely reccommend this to anyone. I mean, maybe not to little kids, but teenagers and adults should definitely read this book because its truthful and really makes you think and want to read more!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By rokan
Format:Paperback
I found this book at a second-hand shop yesterday, thought it looked interesting (having never read anything by this author before). I suffer from some of the same things as Flynn and during an unpleasant bout of insomnia last night I picked it up at around half past two in the morning, I read the whole thing, straight through in a couple of hours. It really is definitely one of the best books I have ever read (and I've read a lot). Somehow I felt so connected to it, just because the characters were so believable, and real. When it was over I felt dazed, and ended up picking it up and reading it through again within an hour of having put it down.
It truely is an amazing book, I'm already thinking about reading it again. It definitely is that good.
It truely is an amazing book, I'm already thinking about reading it again. It definitely is that good.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By A. Lovett
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
After being infatuated by a note of madness I could not wait to read the sequel! Right from the beginning I was gripped and with both Jennahs and Flynns take on the situation a much broader picture of living with Bipolar disorder is created.
Continuing on from Flynns struggle with Bipolar disorder in A note of madness we can now see more clearly the effect it has on other people. I really feel I can connect with Jennah, not only because of the vivid crystal clear descriptions but because to some extent I can also understand the struggle she must face living with someone with Bipolar disorder.
My lifelong freind was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder last year and reading A note of madness and A voice in the distance have helped both of us no end. I can understand the way he feels and thinks more and I find A voice in the distance much more informative and helpful than a non-fiction text about Bipolar disorder as you really feel you are in the book, standing in for one of the characters.
The book is full of ups and downs reflecting the mood swings; the manias and depressions of someone with Bipolar. I felt myself being lifted when Flynn was acting 'normally' and then dropped back down when things between Jennah and Flynn went bad in their relationship.
I got really into it, the way a book should make you feel. I can recommend this book to anyone, the beautiful writing of Suzuma can make anyone understand the pain of having to either live with or live with someone with Bipolar disorder.
Continuing on from Flynns struggle with Bipolar disorder in A note of madness we can now see more clearly the effect it has on other people. I really feel I can connect with Jennah, not only because of the vivid crystal clear descriptions but because to some extent I can also understand the struggle she must face living with someone with Bipolar disorder.
My lifelong freind was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder last year and reading A note of madness and A voice in the distance have helped both of us no end. I can understand the way he feels and thinks more and I find A voice in the distance much more informative and helpful than a non-fiction text about Bipolar disorder as you really feel you are in the book, standing in for one of the characters.
The book is full of ups and downs reflecting the mood swings; the manias and depressions of someone with Bipolar. I felt myself being lifted when Flynn was acting 'normally' and then dropped back down when things between Jennah and Flynn went bad in their relationship.
I got really into it, the way a book should make you feel. I can recommend this book to anyone, the beautiful writing of Suzuma can make anyone understand the pain of having to either live with or live with someone with Bipolar disorder.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
This was my third book by Tabitha Suzuma, and following on from A Note of Madness, when I couldn't help but fall a little bit in love with Flynn, I was excited to see where his... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Kat from The Aussie Zombie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Writing
It wasn't until I went back to read the reviews of A Voice In The Distance that I realised that is actually the sequel to her 2006 novel A Note of Madness. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Lincs Reader
4.0 out of 5 stars
Packs a punch
I enjoyed reading this book as it was quite effective and very realistic. Flynn has bipolar disorder and this is what the book is based around - showing Flynn's actions, decisions... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Stepping Out of the Page
5.0 out of 5 stars
BRILLIANT! BRILLIANT! BRILLIANT!
I came across A Note of Madness a few years ago and read it in a few hours. I thought it was such an amazingly constructed story. But the characters are what made me love the book. Read more
Published on 24 Sep 2009 by Mr. B. D. J. Bradshaw
1.0 out of 5 stars
I must be in the minority then...
I read both this book and it's prequel for a book club, and I confess, if I'd been reading it out of choice rather than obligation, I wouldn't have bothered. Read more
Published on 14 Sep 2008 by M. Davies
5.0 out of 5 stars
Totally Brilliant!!!
Read this book in a few hours and it was just Fab. It managed to invoke emotions that i don't normally have for characters when i read. Read more
Published on 24 Aug 2008 by amanda
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a compulsive book!
I've read all Tabitha Suzuma's books and I find this one particularly excellent, I couldn't stop reading it. The narrative is superb. Read more
Published on 30 Jun 2008 by Alarcon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb
An absorbing and thought-provoking sequel that grips you until the very last page, and stays with you long after. Beautifully written and completely 'unputdownable'. Read more
Published on 11 Jun 2008 by konnolibi
5.0 out of 5 stars
impressive sequel
I eagerly anticipated this book after being ethralled by a note of madness. I feel Tabitha Suzuma portrays the agony of depression particularly well and I appreciate the balance... Read more
Published on 25 May 2008 by Ms. J. Kaysen
5.0 out of 5 stars
A writer who has become a friend...
I was already a huge fan of Flynn after I read A Note of Madness, and was delighted to see him begin a new journey. Read more
Published on 11 May 2008 by A buyer
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