Keeper of Dreams: Memory, myth and meaning

A young boy, incredibly shy, anxious and socially awkward, finds himself fascinated by the slum clearances of Manchester in the 1960s. The son of a brooding and secretive WW II refugee from Eastern Europe, the boy follows a troubled path eventually to become a well-travelled and successful scientist, yet with a history of mental illness and failed relationships. With traditional medical and counselling approaches having repeatedly failed to provide a long-term solution to his mental health issues, one crucial life event leads him to embark upon a five-year journey of philosophically-appraised self-healing. Written as an engrossing novel - often dark and funny in equal measure - this cleverly crafted monomyth introduces all the key bio-psycho-social ideas underpinning good mental health, considers carefully the issues facing young people in modern society, and offers practical insights for troubled readers of all ages.