16 Aug 2023

Hannah & Huia: A novel aimed at demystifying mental health

From Nine To Noon, 11:20 am on 16 August 2023
Author and book cover

Photo: Supplied

Author Charlotte Lobb's debut novel details life in a mental health unit - and the impact a stranger can have on someone's life.

She drew on her own experience to write Hannah & Huia, after she spent some time in an institution. In the book Hannah has suffered an unspeakable loss and admits herself when she can no longer cope.

There, she comes across Huia, an old Maori lady who speaks only in seemingly incomprehensible three word sentences.

Her curiosity about Huia and her history helps Hannah find a path through her grief.

Charlotte says her intent in writing this book was to demystify mental illness and flesh out the myriad of reasons why someone might be struggling.