The Sound of SCH: A Mental Breakdown, A Life Journey (new edition)
Out of stock
Winner of the Singapore Literature Prize for English non-fiction.
Can a life weave along through the same notes and yet come to play forth different sounds?
The Sound of SCH (pronounced S-C-H) is the true story of a journey with mental illness. Growing up, Danielle Lim witnessed her uncle’s silent struggle with a crippling mental and social disease, and her mother’s difficult role as caregiver. Their beautifully told personal story takes place between 1961 and 1994, against the backdrop of a fast-globalising Singapore—where stigmatisation of persons afflicted with mental illness nevertheless remained deep-seated. Raw and honest in its portrayal of living with schizophrenia, The Sound of SCH is a moving account of human resiliency and sacrifice in the face of brokenness.
A pioneer in mental health writing in Singapore, this new edition includes an updated Preface and Afterword.
Receive a reflection card with your copy—a quiet companion to your journey through The Sound of SCH. Reflections cards are available exclusively on our webstore (while stocks last)!
Paperback
$20.00 SGD
Reviews
"An unflinching memoir of how mental illness rips the heart out of a family, it is as brutally honest as it is compassionate. Only a handful of books have moved me to tears. The Sound of SCH is one of them." —Felix Cheong Chief judge for Singapore Literature Prize (Non-Fiction), 2016
"Danielle Lim is that rare thing, a true talent. In this slim but masterful book, her spare and beautiful writing encompasses without sentimentality the grief and guilt of dealing with mental illness. In the process she reaffirms not only our own humanity but shows that, whatever our trials, life is still worth living." —Meira Chand Author of A Different Sky
"The Sound of SCH is a quiet yet powerful reminder that beauty and dignity can emerge even in the midst of brokenness. Through Danielle Lim’s tender portrait of her uncle’s life with schizophrenia and her mother’s steadfast caregiving, we glimpse both the invisible weight of stigma and the unyielding strength of love. This memoir invites us to look past labels, to honour the courage it takes simply to keep showing up for one another and to believe in the possibility of healing and hope: for families, for communities and for ourselves." —Michelle Ngiam Founder and CEO of MEURAKI
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Attunement
Is life hustling you out of tune? As the week roars by, we invite you to a slice of attunement penned lovingly by our authors, friends, and yours truly. Freshly delivered weekly with care. Intimacy guaranteed. Read selected letters below.

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