Login
Writer and broadcaster Melvyn Bragg spoke to us about his lifelong love of reading, and about how books have helped him to cope during episodes of depression.
For Melvyn, reading helped him to realise that he was not alone in his experience of depression; this was particularly important for him as a teenager, when he felt unable to talk to anyone about his condition, and had no access to professional help or support networks.
Although Melvyn describes periods during his depression when he was unable to read, novels and poems have always been a lifeline that he has returned to for comfort and companionship. Melvyn also explains to us why he believes so strongly in the importance of reading aloud, and suggests that the practice should be reinstated in schools.
For Melvyn, reading helped him to realise that he was not alone in his experience of depression; this was particularly important for him as a teenager, when he felt unable to talk to anyone about his condition, and had no access to professional help or support networks.
Although Melvyn describes periods during his depression when he was unable to read, novels and poems have always been a lifeline that he has returned to for comfort and companionship. Melvyn also explains to us why he believes so strongly in the importance of reading aloud, and suggests that the practice should be reinstated in schools.