“What if it was myself, or that lost version of me, a flicker of the past — would I know his face, and would he know mine? All that time I had been haunted by him, and still I hardly knew what that self was, that version of me that existed before the world had said become, and I had answered in its language.”

As a queer kid raised by a bigoted family, I struggled with accepting myself and the identities that resonated with me—identities like bisexual, trans, and non-binary. Thus, “All Down Darkness Wide” provides a relatable story for many queer youths, such as myself, in the world today.

Moreover, “All Down Darkness Wide” sheds light on the reality of queer youth suicides. Homosexuality is not a mental illness; however, society’s reactions to queerness plays a pivotal role in one’s mental well-being and self-esteem. The memoir eloquently delves into the notion that depression, though not transmitted through air or liquid, possesses a contagious quality. It doesn't seize you due to a lapse in vitamin intake or prolonged exposure to rain. Rather, its grip tightens when you find yourself immersed in the company of other unstable individuals whose emotional burdens fill the room, leaving scarce space for yourself. In such an environment, finding respite for oneself becomes a challenging endeavor.

If you’re looking to confront your own instability or internalized homophobia, then maybe this memoir might just be for you.