Description

Book Synopsis

THE NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FEEL TRULY ALIVE?

Aged 24, Matt Haig's world caved in. He could see no way to go on living. This is the true story of how he came through crisis, triumphed over an illness that almost destroyed him and learned to live again.

A moving, funny and joyous exploration of how to live better, love better and feel more alive, Reasons to Stay Alive is more than a memoir. It is a book about making the most of your time on earth.

'I wrote this book because the oldest clichés remain the truest. Time heals. The bottom of the valley never provides the clearest view. The tunnel does have light at the end of it, even if we haven't been able to see it . . . Words, just sometimes, really can set you free.'



Trade Review
Maybe the most important book I've read this year -- SIMON MAYO
A life-saving book -- AMANDA CRAIG
Brings a difficult and sensitive subject out of the darkness and into the light -- MICHAEL PALIN
Full of wisdoms and warmth -- NATHAN FILER
Matt Haig is a marvellous writer: limpid; tender; passionate. In this memoir (and it's short, barely 200 pages long), he manages to articulate, both the bleakness of depression and the means of dealing with it, little by little, day by day, without ever sounding maudlin, or self-indulgent, or preachy. For everyone who has ever felt the snap of the black dog's teeth, this book is wise, funny, affirming and redemptive. Sometimes depression can be like falling into a wordless pit. Matt Haig finds the words. And he says them for all of us -- JOANNE HARRIS
Reasons to Stay Alive is wonderful. I read it in one sitting. Touching, funny, thought-provoking, with a huge heart. It should be read by anyone who has suffered, or known someone who has suffered (i.e.. everyone) -- S J WATSON
Fascinating and beautifully written -- IAN RANKIN
Matt Haig uses words like a tin-opener. We are the tin -- JEANETTE WINTERSON
Thoughtful, honest and incredibly insightful -- JENNY COLGAN
Brilliant and salutary . . . should be on prescription -- REV. RICHARD COLES

Reasons to Stay Alive

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    £13.49

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    RRP £14.99 – you save £1.50 (10%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Wed 17 Jun 2026.

    A Hardback by Matt Haig

    7 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig

      Publisher: Canongate Books
      Publication Date: 05/03/2015
      ISBN13: 9781782115083, 978-1782115083
      ISBN10: 1782115080

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      THE NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

      WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FEEL TRULY ALIVE?

      Aged 24, Matt Haig's world caved in. He could see no way to go on living. This is the true story of how he came through crisis, triumphed over an illness that almost destroyed him and learned to live again.

      A moving, funny and joyous exploration of how to live better, love better and feel more alive, Reasons to Stay Alive is more than a memoir. It is a book about making the most of your time on earth.

      'I wrote this book because the oldest clichés remain the truest. Time heals. The bottom of the valley never provides the clearest view. The tunnel does have light at the end of it, even if we haven't been able to see it . . . Words, just sometimes, really can set you free.'



      Trade Review
      Maybe the most important book I've read this year -- SIMON MAYO
      A life-saving book -- AMANDA CRAIG
      Brings a difficult and sensitive subject out of the darkness and into the light -- MICHAEL PALIN
      Full of wisdoms and warmth -- NATHAN FILER
      Matt Haig is a marvellous writer: limpid; tender; passionate. In this memoir (and it's short, barely 200 pages long), he manages to articulate, both the bleakness of depression and the means of dealing with it, little by little, day by day, without ever sounding maudlin, or self-indulgent, or preachy. For everyone who has ever felt the snap of the black dog's teeth, this book is wise, funny, affirming and redemptive. Sometimes depression can be like falling into a wordless pit. Matt Haig finds the words. And he says them for all of us -- JOANNE HARRIS
      Reasons to Stay Alive is wonderful. I read it in one sitting. Touching, funny, thought-provoking, with a huge heart. It should be read by anyone who has suffered, or known someone who has suffered (i.e.. everyone) -- S J WATSON
      Fascinating and beautifully written -- IAN RANKIN
      Matt Haig uses words like a tin-opener. We are the tin -- JEANETTE WINTERSON
      Thoughtful, honest and incredibly insightful -- JENNY COLGAN
      Brilliant and salutary . . . should be on prescription -- REV. RICHARD COLES

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