Imagine, imagine, imagine for a second, how would it be like to be indifferent to emotion. YES!!! And not just your emotions, but of others as well! Sounds fun? Well, if you thought: “interesting…” or are intrigued then you should read this book by Kelsey Anne Lovelady, as it’s the premise of it. Want to know more? Then join me on this review.
It’s interesting to see how Kelsey, right off the batch framed human emotion as a “weakness”, and this resonates with many, and will resonate with many reading this book, shocking them into reflection. Very nice.
Given that this is a scientific-ish book, or with scientific data at times, you will find yourself surprised by the things you read in here, and if you check it, you will be even more surprised, so if you enjoy nerdy bits on books, Indifferent is a nice one for you.
The focus of this book, is, as you might have noticed, on mental health, and specially in two aspects: Anxiety and heartbreak. Yes, heartbreak is not a mental condition, but in this novel it shows how it many times is a catalyst to exacerbate the already unaddressed conditions that one might have, and how they can aggravate if not dealt with for long periods of time, which is quite insightful.
The book also encourages people to seek help of professionals in the area, which may be the first step to enter the recovery zone. Guidance is good, and this book allow readers to have some of that.
Ah, yes, the corporations thought and mantra of always being productive for the sake of profit, ah yes, what a clever way of putting the little things in the book for reflection and note-taking, very good.
There is a pro-&-con argument for the drug that numbs the feelings of a person, and they are presented to us in many perspectives, through the characters, and the scenes that the book provides. It’s interesting to read and ask yourself (before you find out), if what the characters are saying is a plot inside a plot, the truth inside the story or just a manipulation of the media. It’s interesting to see that the author brought many points of view to this little novel and made us fully acquaintenced with the drug and the effects before things are kicked in, as so to speak. Kelsey Anne Lovelday took an interesting approach to things here indeed. Curious.
Although not in the most flashy, pinkish, romantic way, Kelsey Anne Lovelady, has shown how many of us deal with emotions, and trauma, and how some of us would much rather be angry and avoid the problem itself than to take it straight on and solve it, emotionally speaking. This results of us being miserable and trying to control what we cannot and feeling worse because of it. The book has many good hints and tips on that, although it’s told in a non-fictional-fictional manner, which is at times exciting, and in other times, regular.
There are lessons and smart observations in our reactions to trauma. hurt and heartbreak that will resonate with people in this stage of life, many times given with pinches of humour you’ll appreciate and thank the author for.
Games, and selfish behaviours here are also well explained by the author, and this book should be at-the-read by many that have troubles with relationships, in order to identify patterns of deceit, gas-lighting, cheating and emotional manipulation from both men and woman. This is very explicit and we love that information is set barren and simple for all to read and learn. Excellent! There is also the therapy session that Elena goes through that can be very beneficial to readers, as the Psychiatrist makes great questions towards our MC and this same process, can be repeated by readers that are trying to get past a difficult time.
Although the concept of the pill is great, and it seems plausible that it would make people more efficient, at times, Helena, under the effect of it, seemed… ultra. Like, it can happen, but I think that the pill wasn’t a power-pill, but an numbing one, so… there’s that for each reader to consider while reading.
The dynamics of addiction and dependence on medical drugs are interestingly displayed in this book, as our MC grows accustomed to the drug, but not only the drug, but the effects of it, to hide from her own self. One can clearly see that although her case is not a life-threating one, break-up, the approach towards it is worrisome and damages her life, and once she starts taking indifference, the pill, it all seems pretty and great, until… she’s out of it. This emotional, (or unemotional) reliance in order to be “herself” again is in fact curious, and extremely well showcased by the author! Impressive.
Once again, this book is a little gem for those that are going through the end of a relationship, or are having trouble getting over someone, or have had the difficulty to deal with past traumas when it comes to romantic relationships, as it helps readers see themselves in the main character, added some exaggeration for good measure and satire for the laughs, and helps them go through their own stages of acceptance and moving on. This is a nice piece of work from Kelsey Anne Lovelady!
Cons:
- The formatting made it hard to read, specially on the speech quotes
- The narrative is a bit slow at the start, and there is more tell than show
Pros:
- An inrtiguing plot that makes you think: “Wow, if this drug existed…”
- Complex characters, specially in mental patterns, where the target reader will connect to and relate to many of the times
- Excellent demonstration of internal emotional turmoil and fragility of a person’s mind
- There is a lot of contrast in the book, that allows the reader to clearly discern good behaviours that are healthy , productive and necessary and the ones that aren’t
- The sessions scenes will help many readers reflect upon their lives under the same circumstances. Very well done in this aspect by the Author
Scribble's Worth 
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