Adventures in Depression with the CRAB of HATE

Susan Calman is a well known comedian and writer who has appeared on countless radio and television programmes. Her solo stand up show, Susan Calman is Convicted, was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and dealt with subjects like the death penalty, appearance and depression.

The reaction to the show she wrote about mental health was so positive that she wanted to expand on the show and write a more detailed account of surviving when you’re the world’s most negative person.

The Crab of Hate is the personification of Calman’s depression and her version of the notorious Black Dog. A constant companion in her life, the Crab has provided her with the best, and very worst of times.This is a very personal memoir of how, after many years and with a lot of help and talking, she has embraced her dark side and realised that she can be the most joyous sad person you’ll ever meet.

MOMOBOOKDIARY REVIEW

I purchased this paperback a while ago then purchased the audio version after reading that Susan Calman had recorded the audio version herself. The book is a great read but listening to Susan reading it made it so much more real.  I could really think about the words she was saying.

This has to be one of the funniest books I have read/listened to.  I already loved Susan Calman, the brilliant Scottish comedian, and now I can also say I believe her to be an excellent author.  Through her writing she describes her ongoing battle with depression.

There were so many parts of this book that rang true with my life.  As someone who has suffered depression and anxiety for many years I could really relate to this book.  There were points in the book where I stopped and actually thought “WOW, So it is really possible to feel like that” and “I feel like that but I thought I was making it all up in my head”.   Thank you Susan Calman for showing me (and many many others) that it really is okay to not be okay.

I feel this is a good book for anyone who feels they may be depressed, or friends of someone who talks of depression… there are so many situations described that could be the secret to helping those we know who are not ready to talk about their feelings.  It is not a medical book – its a comedians view of her life with depression – but it certainly rings more true than some books I’ve read by medical professionals on the subject.

• TITLE: Cheer Up Love
• AUTHOR: Susan Calman
• PUBLISHER: Two Roads
• VERSION: Paperback and Audio

 

REVIEW PUBLISHED

GoodReads and Amazon

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (taken from https://www.susancalman.com/about-me/)

Susan Calman used to be a corporate lawyer and in her time has worked on Death Row in America, at the United Nations in Geneva and been in charge of Vacuum Cleaners and Microwaves at an electrical superstore.

In 2006 she decided to give up her promising career in the Law to be a comedian. She reached the semi-finals of the BBC New Comedy Awards and ‘So You Think You’re Funny’, was a finalist in the prestigious ‘Funny Women’ competition in 2006 and she hasn’t stopped since.

In 2007 Susan was cast in ‘Ugly Kid’, a sketch show which was a sell-out at the Edinburgh Festival and following critical acclaim, was commissioned as a pilot for Channel 4. The show was renamed ‘Blowout’ and the cast went on to be awarded a Scottish BAFTA that same year.

On Radio 4 Susan has appeared on The News Quiz, The Unbelievable Truth, Now Show, Dilemma, So Wrong it’s Right and presented Woman’s Hour. She’s recorded two series of her own sitcom for Radio 4 and four solo series for the station.

Sometimes Susan is allowed on television and has been on QI, HIGNFY and Mock the Week.  She’ll soon be seen acting in the new BBC One sitcom Home from Home starring Johnny Vegas.  She’s hosted daytime shows like The Boss and Armchair Detectives as well as the CBBC show Top Class.  In 2017 she made it to week ten of Strictly Come Dancing, which was quite unexpected.

Susan is currently writing the follow up to her hugely successful first book “Cheer Up Love” and also contributed to the Penguin published Doctor Who collection of stories “The Day She Saved The Doctor”.

Susan lives in Glasgow and is lucky enough to be married with five cats.

You can interact with Susan Calman on website, Twitter and Facebook,