The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness (Matt Ottley, Dirt Lane)
An author, visual artist and composer, Matt Ottley has combined his talents in his latest work to create a multi-modal sensory feast that merges words, art and music. Bold and immersive, The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness is an allegory for the experience of psychosis, following the main character’s progression from the discovery of the disease to surrender and eventually self-acceptance. The central character is a boy who experiences both beauty and despair in a debilitating way. Doctors tell him that there is a tree growing inside of him and that this tree blooms flowers of ecstasy and bears fruits of sadness. Eventually giving in to the power of the tree, the boy finds himself in another realm, where he embarks on a quest to discover meaning and uncover beauty, exploring the fragility of life and the devastating nature of humankind along the way. The journey has an Alice in Wonderland-esque feel and unfolds through seven stages, from genesis to quietude, each reflecting the boy’s mental state. Ottley has created a multilayered and thought-provoking narrative that unfolds in a cross-section of ways, encouraging readers to delve below the surface and uncover deeper meaning. His stunning artwork enhances the simple poetic language and the accompanying musical score (included as a CD within the book) adds a further layer to the story, making the book a highly emotive experience for the reader. Tackling a difficult subject and bringing to the forefront conversations around mental health, this is a longform picture book, uniquely its own, appropriate for an older audience of those aged 15 and up.
M H Alessandrino is a Perth based writer and a freelance reviewer.
