Denver native and Comedy Works’ regular, Adam Cayton-Holland has published a tragicomic memoir remembering his funny yet incredibly honest relationship with his younger sister and her suicide. Tragedy Plus Time is set to release on August 21st.
It’s a tribute to the littlest member of our clan who burned so brightly, and it’s an honest look at mental illness and mourning.
We know Cayton-Holland from Tru TV’s Those Who Can’t, CONAN, The Late Late Show and of course, our very own Comedy Works’ stage. But this is a side of Cayton-Holland unbeknownst to the comedy world. Cayton-Holland always knew he wanted to be a writer but he never imagined this would be his first published book’s subject.
But I never in a million years would have thought the subject matter of my first book would be the suicide of my little sister, whom I love and miss so much. I’m excited and heartbroken – which is pretty much how I’ve operated ever since Lydia passed away.
The Cayton-Holland’s had three children: Anna, Adam and Lydia. All of which had developed OCD by the time they were teenagers. Anna found her peace through law, Adam with comedy but Lydia, quite arguably the brightest of them all, struggled to find her place. When Adam sunk into a deep depression his freshman year of college, Lydia pulled him out. Later when Lydia begins to slip into her own depression, although he tries, Adam couldn’t return the favor.
Cayton-Holland recommends his book to anyone who has suffered a major loss. Mental illness is no longer something to whisper about but to learn and to understand from. Cayton-Holland’s Tragedy Plus Time aims to guide the grieving, relate to the ones left behind and remember those who’ve gone too soon.
Pre-order Tragedy Plus Time here!
Heartfelt and Brilliant – Patton Oswald
Tragedy Plus Time absolutely gutted me- then it filled me with hope. I hate that Adam has this story to tell, but he tells it so beautifully. – Tig Notaro
A searing memoir… This is Cayton-Holland’s heartbreaking word of genius. He writes with candor and care of Lydia’s bright light and his own darkest hour, making for an unforgettable read. – Booklist