Down Came the Rain is a wonderful first person account of an unbearablepsychological trauma:
postpartum depression. With
inviting opennessBrooke Shields tells her personal story. The style is honest andpersonal. What is unique about this account of
postpartum depression isthat the author lets it be known that there are psychological and lifefactors that contribute and supprt the development of this illness.It's not just in the genes.Inspite of its personal and honest style, Down Came the Rain does somethings that are typical of first person tell all books. First, it makesit easy for the reader to believe that it could happen to her. Second,it also makes it easy for the reader to believe that there is help forthe affliction. The books most compelling parts remain Brooke'sintimate descriptions of her state(s) of mind during the days andmonths of her decent into despair. Down Came the Rain attmepts to be complete in its analysis of onewoman's struggle with postpartum depression by including descriptionsregarding the impact of the illness on family
relationships, maritalrelationships and friendships. Predictably, these relationships arealso key for eventual recovery.