Title: Burning the Last Bridge
Author: Mark L. Lloyd
Publisher: TellWell
ISBN: 978-1773700588
Pages: 272
Genre: Psychological / Romance / Fiction
Reviewed by: Lisa Brown-Gilbert
Pacific Book Review
Mark L. Lloyd’s Burning the Last Bridge, presents a riveting and illuminating, psyche- focused narrative, which fascinates with its intelligent portrayal of one man’s struggles to survive the devitalizing affects of his fracturing mind. A semi autobiographical work at its core, this book also echoes the nature of the author’s own experiences with the tolls of living with and surviving through, mental disorders of anxiety and severe depression. Initially, as the story unfolds, readers are quickly drawn into Liam’s internally verbose world where his perspective garnishes readers with deep insight into the mind of a person suffering through mental disorder, with his mind trying to save itself.
Formerly a man of robust mental fortitude, protagonist Liam, (or Dr. Fix it, as others have called him) finds himself suddenly unable to cope with life, after receiving a devastating phone call at work. Severely traumatized and unable to pinpoint the actual nature of his despair, his mind quickly unravels essentially triggering him into a psychological death spiral. Consequently, while mired in his deeply depressed state he exhibits the worrisome symptoms of severe depression such as: waking up in fugues forgetful states, and uncontrolled crying bouts while seeming to care less and less about his job, physical appearance, hygiene and most importantly, eating.
Like many others in his position Liam attempts to hide and live with the symptoms of his disorders, but with little to no success; he takes matters into his own hands when he goes to a doctor who prescribes a trial medication that initially seems to help, but ultimately proves to worsen his symptoms. Therefore, things go from bad to worse as he sleepwalks, engages in self-mutilation, hallucinates, and experiences blackout periods.
Moreover, Liam, previously a sociable person his interactions with other people becomes increasingly awkward as he struggles to be his “old” self. Even when he meets the beautiful Cora, a psychology student, he struggles internally with his own actions. However, somehow a torrid but stressed love affair develops between Liam and Cora. As a result, Cora not only becomes a staunch supporter of Liam’s efforts to recover his normality, but also, the love of his life.
I found Burning the Last Bridge engaging and enjoyable. Author Mark L. Lloyd, wielded his creativity well throughout this penetratingly credible story, with his combination of stark characterizations, fiction, fact and plot twists. His illumination of the stigmas attached to mental illness, by virtue of the characterization of Liam, made the story easy to fall into. Albeit, my only qualm about the book is that it does need some editing, However, editing aside this book is a worthwhile read.
