Thoughts: Life of a Suicide

Dillan Kane
AuthorHouse (2009)
ISBN 9781438921860
Reviewed by Carol Hoyer, PhD, for Reader Views (5/09)


Author Dillan Kane’s book is one of the most incredible books I have read on suicide. His brother killed himself at the age of 16. Like most persons who have experienced this, the author is trying to understand why such a thing could happen.

He begins his book with ‘Commonalities of Suicide’ that have helped him try to understand a suicidal person better. He shares the story of his own brother and many others he has worked with that have attempted or completed suicide. When you read this book, it will be just like you were having a conversation with the author. He provides much in-depth knowledge about depression, suicidal thoughts and the healing process.

During this conversation with readers, Kane talks about how individuals who feel lost and hopeless can’t work out their problems and often don’t seek the help of others. He also addresses how those who are left behind feel hurt and anger- why didn’t they see what was happening? Many of us have looked back as the author did and realized there were signs, but we couldn’t believe that someone would deal with problems in that way.

The last chapter in the book addresses life after death. As the author states, depending on your beliefs and spiritual thoughts, we all have different views on this.

“Thoughts: Life of a Suicide” by Dillan Kane is a very moving and thoughtful look at why suicide happens with a lot of great information on signs to look for. As a Psychology instructor for several colleges, this is a book I recommended to my students to read and share with others.

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