Out Came the Sun
Green Child Magazine Talks with
Mariel Hemingway
Much of my generation knows Mariel Hemingway as a celebrity
who uses her status to advocate for mental health and mindful living. While we certainly remember her grandfather, iconic American writer Earnest Hemingway, I realized in preparing for this
interview, not all of us were aware of the depths of the Hemingway
family “curse” of mental illness and suicide.
Mariel’s new books: “Out Came the Sun: Overcoming the Legacy
of Mental Illness, Addiction, and Suicide in My Family,” and
“Invisible Girl,” a similar memoir written in her own teenage
voice, show us how a legendary family wasn’t above a stigma that
plagues so many families.
After reading her books and having the pleasure of speaking to
her, I’m touched by the poignancy of Mariel’s story, told with graciousness and understanding toward her family. By shining a light
onto her own dark history, she’s helping countless people open
their hearts, be conscious, and learn to heal.
Amity: In one way or another, every one of us has been affected
by mental illness. Yet most of us are scared or embarrassed and
don’t want to talk about it. I’ve been watching the reaction in the
brief time since the book has been out, and it’s tremendous. You’re
connecting with SO many people.
Mariel: Thank you. You know, it’s time for this. People want
to talk about this issue. It’s been around longer than any of the
diseases we put time and energy into, and yet, it’s the one we want
to pretend doesn’t happen.
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