Evangelical Anxiety: A Memoir

Marsh (God’s Long Summer: Stories of Faith and Civil Rights) reconciles his struggles with anxiety and with his Evangelical Christian faith in this candid, captivating memoir. Marsh, a professor of religious studies at the University of Virginia, reflects on living with anxiety and the tension between treating his mental health and looking to his spiritual community and beliefs for support. He writes intimately of his decision to seek treatment with psychoanalysis and explores the diverging belief systems he grappled with by looking to key moments, including his childhood as the son of a Southern preacher, his marriage, and theology school. Marsh’s book will appeal broadly to fans of literary nonfiction and particularly those looking for a relatable memoir on spirituality or mental health. His visceral depictions of anxiety and thoughtful reflections on both his faith and his upbringing will resonate with readers. Readers interested in memoirs that explore spirituality and mental health may also enjoy Bipolar Faith: A Black Woman’s Journey with Depression and Faith by Monica A. Coleman.