Idées noires by Fannie Therrien

Book of the month

Idées noires: When Depression Takes Hold Without Warning

Having a supportive circle, passions, and ambitions doesn’t always prevent suffering from taking hold. This is the poignant reality that Fannie Therrien brings to light in her novel Idées noires. Through the story of Olivia, a 15-year-old girl who gradually loses her will to live, the book thoughtfully explores depression during adolescence.

This story reminds us that psychological distress can sometimes be invisible to those around us. Above all, it opens up an important dialogue about suicide prevention, breaking the silence, the role of our support networks, and the possibility of recovery.

About the Author: Fannie Therrien

Fannie Therrien is a Quebec author with a passion for music, cinema, and, above all, writing. Drawn to children's and young adult literature, she loves creating worlds filled with diverse characters.

Her first novel, Béa dans tous ses états, marks the beginning of a literary journey that will lead her to write in various genres for young readers.

With Idées noires, she writes her first novel in Éditions de Mortagne's Tabou collection, a series that addresses various social and personal realities experienced by teenagers. The novel was published in September 2020. Communication-Jeunesse classifies it for readers aged 12 to 17 and recommends it for ages 14 and up. BAnQ categorizes it under themes including teen depression and psychological fiction.

The novel's universe

At the beginning of Idées noires, everything seems to be going quite well in 15-year-old Olivia Aquin's life. She gets good grades and is close to her best friend, Anne-Sophie. She enjoys playing guitar, reading, and going to the movies regularly. She even considers becoming a veterinarian like her parents.

Then, her parents announce that they have the opportunity to acquire their own veterinary clinic. There is, however, one problem: the clinic is a two-hour drive from their home. The family will therefore have to move.

To avoid disrupting Olivia's school year, the move is only planned for the following summer. Yet, the simple anticipation of this change gradually upends the teenager's life. An emptiness begins to set in. Activities that once brought her joy lose their appeal. Her grades risk dropping. Her dream of becoming a veterinarian feels increasingly distant, and picturing her future becomes difficult. Olivia's familiar daily routine thus becomes the backdrop for a suffering that steadily takes root.

The world of the novel / Olivia and her circle

Olivia is particularly interesting because, at first glance, she doesn't necessarily fit the image some people might have of a teenager suffering from depression. She has passions, skills, and meaningful relationships. Yet, she is struggling.

Her best friend Anne-Sophie is part of that world that previously brought her joy. Her parents also play a significant role, particularly because their professional plans trigger the announcement of the move.

But the novel shows that depression cannot simply be reduced to a list of positive or negative things in a person's life. Having people who love us or having future plans does not automatically mean we are immune to psychological suffering. It is precisely this contrast that makes Olivia's story so compelling for raising awareness.

When you have "everything to be happy," but you're still not doing well

The presentation of the novel opens with a striking contradiction: Olivia feels she has everything to be happy, yet she has lost the desire to smile. This premise challenges a still widespread belief: that a person must always be able to explain their depression through an event deemed serious enough by others. Depression is not simply a bad day or a passing feeling of sadness.

The Government of Québec explains that it can manifest in particular through deep sadness, a significant loss of interest in usually enjoyed activities, fatigue, sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, feelings of guilt or failure, and, in some people, suicidal thoughts. In young people, mental health disorders can also set in gradually and be difficult to detect.

This progression closely mirrors what the novel allows us to observe in Olivia: something gradually shifts in how she relates to her activities, her schooling, and her future.

Depression, Suicidal Thoughts, and Mental Health

Suicidal thoughts are a particularly sensitive topic, but it is important to be able to talk about them accurately. They can be one of the symptoms experienced by some people living with depression, but everyone goes through the illness differently. A person should therefore not be reduced to a diagnosis or to their most difficult moments.

The Government of Québec also reminds us that a persistent change in a young person's mood or behavior warrants attention, particularly when it becomes more frequent, intense, or begins to affect their functioning at school, at home, or with loved ones. Discussing these signs does not mean we can diagnose someone ourselves. However, it can help us understand that psychological suffering deserves to be taken seriously, even when it is not immediately visible.

And above all, going through a dark time in life doesn't mean you will always feel this way.

My Perspective on the Novel

Idées noires addresses a topic that touches me in a deeply personal way. I have experienced a very dark period in my own life, during which I went through depression accompanied by suicide attempts.

Lockdown played a role in this difficult period, but there were also unresolved traumas that I hadn't yet addressed and wasn't talking about. I kept a lot of things to myself. Looking back, that experience made me realize just how crucial it is not to carry these burdens alone and to find people with whom you feel safe enough to open up.

Today, I'm doing much better. My family and friends were there for me and helped me get through that time.

One of my friends and I actually created our own little routine. At the time, she would come over to my place once every two weeks and we would watch a TV series together. If I needed to talk, I could talk. If I didn't feel like it, there was zero pressure: we would simply watch our show.

That routine is still going strong today, in fact, we try to get together every week when we're both free. Sometimes she comes over to my place; other times I head over to hers. When I'm at her place, I also get to cuddle and play with her cats, which I absolutely love.

The core idea behind our hangouts remains the same, though: spending quality time together. We watch a show, and if I need to talk, I know the space is there. Otherwise, we can simply enjoy our evening.

Over the course of these get-togethers, we watched all seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, followed by the five seasons of Angel. Now, we've moved on to The X-Files.

It might seem like just two friends watching TV shows together, but to me, this routine means so much more. It's a space where I know I can talk if I need to, but also just spend time with someone I love without feeling any pressure to explain how I'm feeling.

That is also why Olivia's story in Idées noires resonates so strongly with me. When someone is struggling, what they are going through isn't always visible from the outside. They can continue to have a family, friends, goals, or activities, and yet still be carrying immense inner suffering.

My experience is obviously not Olivia's, and everyone experiences depression differently. But if there is one thing I take away from my own journey, it is the importance of not staying alone with your suffering. Opening up can be difficult, especially when you are used to keeping everything inside. For me, starting to talk and accepting the support of the people around me was a key part of the path toward healing.

Reflecting and Raising Awareness Through Literature

Idées noires invites us to look beyond appearances. Can someone be struggling even when everything seems fine in their life? Are we attentive enough when someone begins to isolate themselves or gradually gives up on the things they used to love? And do we know how to create spaces where our loved ones can open up without feeling forced to do so? There are no single, simple answers to these questions.

Support can take many forms depending on the person and the situation. Sometimes, an open conversation is essential. Other times, simply having a trusted presence nearby serves as a gentle reminder that you aren't alone. It is equally important not to turn loved ones into a substitute for professional support. Family and friends offer invaluable support, while resources and healthcare professionals provide tailored care when the emotional weight becomes overwhelming.

Perhaps the most important thing is to start by validating that what someone is going through is real, even when we can't see it.

When Art Offers Another Way to Speak

Idées noires aligns remarkably well with the mission of Angle Psy, because literature has the unique power to make visible a suffering that is so often hidden.

By following Olivia, the reader doesn't simply receive a definition of depression. They gradually observe the subtle shifts in her daily life, her passions, her studies, and the way she envisions her future.

Art can also become a space for connection.

In my own journey, TV shows became part of a regular routine with a friend. Of course, the shows themselves don't replace help or serve as a treatment. They simply offer an activity we enjoy sharing and a context where conversation can take place whenever it's needed.

It is also a way of seeing what art can bring: a story, an emotion, a conversation starter, or simply a shared moment. Whether through a book, a show, a movie, music, or another form of expression, art can sometimes help us open up conversations that might otherwise be difficult to start.

Why Read Idées noires?

Idées noires will appeal to readers looking for a realistic novel about adolescent mental health. Through Olivia, the story highlights an essential message: depression doesn't always have an obvious face.

However, the novel addresses sensitive topics, including depression and suicidal ideation. These themes may be difficult for some readers, especially when they resonate with personal experience, yet they remain vital to discuss.

A novel cannot capture every experience of depression, nor can it replace professional resources. Nevertheless, it can foster a deeper understanding of these realities, honor the complexity of psychological suffering, and serve as a meaningful catalyst for conversation.

Conclusion

Idées noires tells the story of a teenager whose life seems, from the outside, full of positive things. And yet, Olivia is struggling.

That may be one of the most important takeaways the novel leaves us with: we don't always know what someone is going through just by looking at their life from the outside. Depression can shift how a person relates to their activities, their relationships, school, and the future. But a dark period doesn't have to define an entire lifetime. Through Olivia, as well as through the conversations the novel can inspire, Idées noires reminds us why it is so essential to take psychological suffering seriously and to create spaces where speaking up is possible.

And sometimes, that space can begin with something as simple as just showing up.

About the Author of This Blog

My name is Paola Lamontagne-Rugama, and I am a graphic designer for Angle Psy, where I contribute to the creation of visual content and social media management. Passionate about art and reading, I am particularly involved in the section dedicated to books that explore mental health, emotions, and various human and social issues.

Through these blog posts, I want to share what I'm reading and use literature as a starting point to reflect, raise awareness, and open up the conversation around mental health.