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Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite
“Francis Tower has only one thing on his mind: he wants to die. But when things are at their bleakest, a breakthrough in his therapy creates a new form of obsession. It seems like life isn't finished with him just yet.” Idiosyncratic, contemplative and heart-rending – this is how I personally feel about 5th Floor Francis by Gary R. Gowers. Depression is not an uncommon subject in our society, but the depth of awareness and understanding is still not enough. Forty-five-year-old Francis Tower’s battle against his personal demons will shed another light on this subject for everyone, whether they’ve been on the same path or not.
The story of Francis draws heavily on Gowers' own problems with depression, and unpretentiously explores the stigma of this mental illness, and the obstacles in opening oneself to another. It’s not all about Francis though, as we get to know other characters and get inside their minds. I have a soft spot for Francis’ brother, Terrance, who does his best to support him, while juggling his own life as a family man and running the family’s company, Tower Properties. So how does one help without making it overbearing and avoid being sucked into the feeling of detachment from life? Terrance is an unsung hero for sure. I also gravitated towards Chava, a 13-year-old neighbor, whose tentative relationship with Francis blossoms through her help in taking care of his numerous pets. Her conversations with Francis are quirky and thought-provoking, one of the highlights of this novel.
5th Floor Francis is a meaningful observation of life and this novel is a mesmerizing piece of work. It effortlessly creates another insight into depression. In Gowers’ own words, “If you know someone with depression, don’t discount them. They might surrender to help immediately or they might fight it tooth and nail, but help them even if it draws their ire.”
