The Other Side of Nothing

“Zadeik deftly evokes the dark days of clinical depression and the rapid cycling of a mood disorder while exploring societal attitudes toward mental illness over generations. The author also beautifully depicts the unfolding and emotionally charged love story between two young people invested in philosophy, literature, and art, and she captures the heartbreaking spiral that can happen when things go awry . . . A stunning story of mental illness and its challenges.”—KIRKUS REVIEWS

“A powerful read . . . masterfully captures the adolescent voice and makes the reader care, so much, about every character. A moving, timely story that highlights the challenges of mental health and the impact on the people who love those struggling.”—Zibby Owens, author of Blank and podcast host of Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books

“In this profound story of love and loss, Anastasia Zadeik tackles the complexities of mental health from every angle and perspective, taking readers on an unforgettable journey that explores what we can and cannot control. Moving, insightful, and deeply compassionate, The Other Side of Nothing is a remarkable and important read.”—J. J. Elliott, author of There Are No Rules for This

“Anastasia Zadeik's characters grab the reader from the first page as a young couple embarks on a suspenseful journey in search of beauty, connection, and meaning—heading toward a perilous precipice. The story reveals the complex and misunderstood layers of mental illness, offering insights and nurturing empathy for those who suffer and the people who love them. Recommended reading to enhance understanding of mental illness through a heart-wrenching story.”—Linda Moore, author of Attribution

“Riveting, devastating, redemptive. The Other Side of Nothing is both intimate and cosmic—intellectually, physically, and emotionally. I was holding my breath until the final pages.”—Shelley Blanton-Stroud, author of the Jane Benjamin novels

“Mental illness is still something we don’t talk about enough. Anastasia Zadeik tackles it head-on in this moving portrayal of two suicidal young adults searching for meaning in their lives. With sensitivity and compassion, the author explores the effects of the demon of mental illness not just on the patients but also on their loved ones. Heartbreaking yet also hopeful, The Other Side of Nothing takes the reader on an unforgettable journey.”—Jody Hadlock, author of The Lives of Diamond Bessie

“This is an immediately engaging, emotionally raw novel that weaves together grief, art, secrets, family dynamics, class, and mental disorder. Its feminist perspective is cleverly subversive, taking tropes from 20th century literature (Salinger and Kerouac, among others) and revealing the dark side of those male-oriented narratives. In the end, it is a moving and important account of love—its costs, and its rewards.”—Sue William Silverman, author of Acetylene Torch Songs: Writing True Stories to Ignite the Soul

“ . . . a page-turning novel about young love, art, philosophy, motherhood, grief, and healing. Zadeik writes with tremendous empathy and compassion for her characters, exploring the complexities and nuances of mental illness. The characters in these pages are beautifully alive.”—Tammy Greenwood, author of The Still Point, Keeping Lucy, and Two Rivers

Trigger warning: this novel deals with mental illness and suicide.