From the Shadow: A Journey of Self-Discovery and Renewal by

Elizabeth Onyeabor

More than a third of the depressed people in the world are highly functioning people. They wake up in the morning, dress to the nines for work then kick ass at their jobs. They achieve professional excellence. They are delight at parties. However, in the confines of their homes or bedrooms they let the mask fall off. They cry themselves through the night. They are depressed but it is not evident through the brightness of their smile. They have developed putting up a façade into an art. 

Elizabeth Onyeabor was a vibrant young woman. She was the Beth that everyone enjoyed being around and loved. However, in her teenage years she built another persona. Liz became the person she presented to the masses. Gone was warm and big-hearted Beth. In her place was cold and calculating Liz. Liz got her through the day when she was on her last strand. Elizabeth thrived at her Human Resources career. She was/is a great mother rand wife. She fixed everyone. Cared for everyone but never her own self. 

A time came when she realized that the path she was o would inevitably lead to doo. So she began the journey of self realization. She forgave, healed, and eventually renewed herself. She broke the shackles of depression. And not a moment too late. 

‘From the Shadows: A Journey of Self-Discovery and Renewal’ is one woman’s journey through life wearing a mask every day for many years. It is profound and honest. The author has laid herself bare. Telling her story without leaving out even the ugly parts. She selflessly lays it all out there for anyone who might find strength in her weaknesses. The story is so well and vividly told that one will experience every ounce of intensity of the emotions therein. 

Elizabeth does not focus s much on emotion that she forgets the rules of the language. Her sentence structure and foundation are strong and adherent to the law. She has done a good job of using the nuances of language to tell her story in a way that delivers the appropriate tone and intensity. The book also has some bits of poems and journal entries. These are effective in helping the reader understand the exact depth and breadth of Elizabeth’s turmoil. To see the wiring of her brain through poetry. It is raw and honest. Weaving all three tools together is genius albeit a little distracting. 

The poems seem to come at times when the narrations are flowing well and the reader is in a rush to get closure. You could just skip over but the point of this is to understand how inconvenient the depression could be. 

There are many types of depression. Functionally depressed is the most misunderstood form. How could you successful person with all sorts of advantages dare to be depressed? You have a bright smile and happy life; it is not possible to be depressed. This book offers solace and comfort to other sin the same position. It also offers understanding of the phenomenon. Elizabeth gets four stars. Her story is well written.