I Never Said I Loved You by Rhik Samadder - July '21 Review

If you're a fan of memoirs, 'I Never Said I Loved You' by Rhik Samadder should go to the top of your pile. You might know Samadder from his column in the The Guardian: Inspect a Gadget! He's also written for several magazines, appeared on multiple TV shows, and acted as a part of the RSC. He truly is a very talented guy. Unfortunately, he has also suffered with severe depression and that's what this memoir is all about. Read on to hear our thoughts.

The Blurb:

On an unlikely backpacking trip, Rhik and his mother find themselves speaking openly for the first time in years. Afterwards, the depression that has weighed down on Rhik begins to loosen its grip for a moment - so he seizes the opportunity: to own it, to understand it, and to find out where it came from.

Through this begins a journey of investigation, healing and recovery. Along the way Rhik learns some shocking truths about his family, and realizes that, in turn, he will need to confront the secrets he has long buried. But through this, he triumphs over his fears and brings his depression into the light.

I Never Said I Loved You is the story of how Rhik learned to let go, and then keep going. With unique humour and honesty, he has created a powerfully rich, funny and poignant exploration of the light and dark in all of us.

Our Favourite Quote:

"I was on top of my emails but, my God, at what cost?"

Our Thoughts:

We're giving this memoir 4/5. It's the perfect blend of comedy and reflection. Samadder details his journey with depression throughout life and how it has impacted him. Very few people could tell such a serious (and extremely personal) story and also make you laugh out loud, all whilst delivering a very important message about mental health.

There were, of course, points when this memoir felt heavy and hard to read. However, it was never long before Samadder managed to make you smile again.

The book itself is split into chapters which present the memoir as a sort of 'How-To' guide. For example, 'How to keep going', 'How to talk' and 'How to remember'. We were deeply moved in each and every section and enjoyed Samadder's writing style immensely.

While this might a challenging read for those of us who have and still do live with mental illness, we think this book is worth it. It proves to us that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that, even if it feels hard to believe, everything will be ok.

This novel gave us the courage to reflect on our own mental wellness and we hope it does the same for you.