Out of the darkness in battle against depression

Fourteen years after her debut, novel, Tara West tells Margaret Jennings about her second outing, Happy Dark, an insight into her battle and recovery from depression

TARA West seemed to have the perfect life. Her newly published first novel had been critically acclaimed, she had a well-paid job in advertising, a supportive husband, and a lovely home. Yet she was “beyond unhappy” and had fantasies about slicing open her own flesh.

“I wanted to peel myself to death. I couldn’t bear myself, inside or out,” she reveals in her soon to be released, searingly honest yet uplifting memoir, Happy Dark.