Professor Paul Crawford's new novel 'The Wonders of Doctor Bent' explores trauma recovery inspired by personal experiences"

Over a decade ago, I objected in an interview I gave on Woman’s Hour on BBC Radio 4 to Cardinal Sean Brady’s refusal to resign over the paedophile priests cover up scandal only to find out much later that this foul behaviour came closer to home. It is a shocking turn that inspired my latest novel dealing with the possibility of recovery in extreme trauma.

In The Wonders of Doctor Bent, the worlds of Jason Hemp, an English lecturer, and Dr Bent, the unlikely Medical Director of high-security psychiatric hospital Foston Hall, come together in a dark tale of murder, revenge and abandonment. Attempting to track down his twin brother’s killer, he finds his life unravelling in unexpected and frightening ways, whilst visionary Dr Bent attempts to reform Foston Hall into a more humane place through ‘his wonders’, all while facing his own mental health challenges.

The novel reflects aspects of my Catholic, sacramental upbringing, a battle for religious faith, and disguised elements that draw on the years that I trained for the priesthood. While the imaginary world I create bears some resemblance to real physical environments and events, the story and characters are pure inventions.

Like many who committed to a life of faith, the scandal of the paedophile priests hit hard. I objected strongly to both the calamitous, shameful behaviour but also the gross sweeping under the carpet by leaders in the Church. Little did I know back then that my brain’s black box would eventually open to reveal something so disturbing, so shattering, that I barely survived: that my father had abused me and others in the family! Worse still, my mother, most likely under my father’s psychopathic duress, likely colluded. Astonishingly, thankfully, the grace of my brain had buried the memories for a long time. Happily, the justice system sent my father down for his earthly punishment.

I now see that simply surviving from all this is enough, something worth celebrating. After years of depression and suicidal thinking, crawling out of the smoking crater of lost identity and with a chosen family of people I love and feel loved by, I am recovering.

In many ways, books, writing and sharing tales, have saved my life. The fiction of my original family cannot be rebuilt. But writing fiction, exploring different ways to be conscious, to engage with and endure the realities of human trauma, has been like mental CPR. Importantly, joyfully, writing fiction brings connections with readers! Here are a few advance reviews:

"Crawford is a master storyteller. The Wonders of Doctor Bent covers deep and dark themes in a compelling and highly engaging manner. Be prepared to be taken on a thrilling adventure that delves into the very essence of what makes us human...' - Professor Ahmed Hankir, Consultant Psychiatrist, author of The Breakthrough

"A beautifully written and engaging psychological thriller that will keep you thinking long after the final page. It offers profound value to those with lived experience of or an interest in mental health, shedding light on the complexities of compassion and accountability." - Dr David Crepaz-Keay at Mental Health Foundation

“I loved the book! The Wonders of Doctor Bent begins like a whodunnit, but soon starts exploring more profound themes about family, companionship, revenge, incarceration, and mental health.” - Professor James Moran, Professor of Modern English and Drama, The University of Nottingham

"A brilliantly written thriller which draws us into the dire consequences of adverse childhood experiences. It poignantly reveals the potential for recovery." - Gene Beresin MD, Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Finally, Dave Chawner, author of Weight Expectations, Stand-Up Comedian and Mental Health Campaigner gave the kind of one-liner that you dream about as a writer and better than any medication:

"Brooding, brilliant and beautiful."

To my readers in Northern Ireland, thank you! To those traumatised in childhood, and those struggling with mental challenges there, I wish all good things to come your way.

Paul Crawford is Professor of Health Humanities at the Institute of Mental Health, UK.

The Wonders of Doctor Bent is available at Amazon, WHSmith, Foyles, Waterstones, Cranthorpe Millner, and all good bookshops.

Author website: www.paulcrawfordauthor.com