I’ll Run Till the Sun Goes Down
A Memoir About Depression and Discovering Art
By David Sandum
Genre: Memoir | Art
About I’ll Run Till the Sun Goes Down
The riveting true story of one man’s battle with mental illness
David Sandum appeared to have it all: a beautiful young family and a promising career ahead as a business consultant. But his life started veering off course, and upon returning to his native Scandinavia, he fell into an inexplicable, deep depression.
I’ll Run Till the Sun Goes Down is a searingly honest account of David’s struggle to overcome his crippling mental illness. After years of hopeless despair, bleak hospitalizations, and shattered dreams, he is finally saved by his art. The paintbrush becomes his lifeline.
Filled with the work of artists who have inspired him as well as samples of his own drawings and paintings, this memoir offers both a compelling read and a visual story of David’s courageous battle with depression.
Praise
“This is a ground-breaking book that is visually stunning, psychologically hard-hitting, and emotionally mesmerizing . . . As much as the author presents beautiful and telling artwork (both his and the work of other artists), as well as the relief that the creative process brings to his life, he learns unequivocally that he has an illness that cannot be eschewed away by just ‘thinking differently.’ It’s a stellar journey into the harsh reality of mental illness, the resilience of the human spirit, and the healing power of art.”—US Review of Books
“With his book, David Sandum contributes towards tearing down the boundaries and walls around ‘nerve problems,’ which used to be ‘melancholy’. . . The book is honest and open, painful and raw, but also reflective and forward looking. It is insightful and useful, not only for those who struggle with mental health, but also for their families, friends, and colleagues.”—Tom Egeland, best-selling author of Relic and board member of the Norwegian Authors Union
“In this unapologetic account of his journey through life, depression, and self-realization, David Sandum affords us a rare glimpse into a world often misunderstood, even by those who find themselves living in it. . . . While there are many books about depression, few address the transformative power of art, not only on the viewer, but on the maker. Sandum’s awakening to art and its practice, while he is still in the grips of the disease, is a testament to the infinite wisdom of creativity.”—Nat George, visual artist and curator, Los Angeles
“David presents his story in such vivid detail, that I had to remind myself over and over that this wasn’t fiction—it really happened. He captures the sights, sounds, and emotions of what he went through so well that the great writers would count him among their equal.”—Kara Piazza, The Writing Piazza
“David Sandum’s is in many ways a heart too soft, too full, too generous and too tender for this world. Reading his story, one finds no surprise at the fact of his depression, but, rather, at the marvel of his survival . . . He has gone on to become a prolific artist, one who can deftly harness the pain, the isolation and the despair he has experienced and channel them into scenes of heartbreaking beauty, into paintings and etchings that vibrate with the joy of life, subtly haunted by the shadows of its ever-looming sadness. His written art is no less powerful. I’ll Run Till The Sun Goes Down is . . . a gripping story of loss and redemption, and a gift for any reader with a similarly tender heart.”—Mark Deklin, Amazon Review
“I could hardly put this book down after it arrived. From David’s open and honest account of his experiences and perspective in dealing with mental illness, I gained a greater understanding for others in my life who’ve struggled with depression. I’m so appreciative of David sharing such an intimate part of his life with others.”—Team Shields, Amazon Review
“Have read this book and found it so inspirational. David’s story helped me to understand depression and its many different levels and struggles. Having lost a brother to suicide, I have had a hard time understanding why . . . Thank you, David, for writing this and for your beautiful artwork!”—Anonymous, Amazon Review
About the Author
Born in Gothenburg, Sweden, David Sandum lived several years as a young man in the United States. He attended the University of Utah, where he received a BA in speech communication in 1999 . . . READ MORE
