Separation Anxiety

The woman in this book is not famous. The events of her life are not tragic. The setting is not exotic. This is an ordinary story. Which makes it an extraordinary memoir.

Miji Campbell grew up in a close-knit family in the 1960s and ’70s. The youngest of three girls, she was raised under her parents’ watchful eye, in a middle-class Calgary suburb called Kingsland. Her life proceeds in an orderly fashion: coming-of-age, university, first job, first apartment—and then suddenly, inexplicably, it begins to unravel.

Beautifully written, insightful and funny, Separation Anxiety chronicles the pivotal moments in a woman’s life where she lets go of her childhood beliefs about happily ever after, and discovers her true self.

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What Reviewers are saying . . .

Leaving home doesn’t happen overnight. For the author of this compelling memoir, moving beyond the safety of her family at the age of 24 triggers nights of insomnia, followed by days—and years—of mysterious, escalating dread. Anyone who has struggled with anxiety and depression will be consoled by the author’s fearless, vivid portrait of breakdown and recovery.

Marni Jackson, author of The Mother Zone

An honest and courageous memoir. The narrator’s voice sparkles with intelligence, with a sharply observant eye, and with a quirky, wry sense of humour. She charts the ties that bind, sometimes far too tightly, the bond of love between mother and daughter.

Wendy Donowa, co-author of Reading Canada

By turns penetrating and poignant, Separation Anxiety is a clear eyed, compelling examination of the challenges associated with living with a misunderstood mental disorder.

Clem Martini, author of Bitter Medicine

Miji Campbell brings her life to the page in this story of coming fully into herself. She weaves the reader into time and place and pours us the comforting tea-cup of commonality. Though I am not Catholic, not Canadian, not the same age—I find the sisterhood of story and am grateful for the journey.

Christina Baldwin, author of Storycatcher

Reader Responses

Thank you to all my readers who took the time to share their responses to Separation Anxiety. I appreciate your comments very much. Miji

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"Your courageous book has reminded me of the power of writing."

"I was delighted to see this familiar neighbourhood and time imagined so vividly on the page. And Chinook Centre, too!"

"You have a way of weaving life-shaping memories into those scattered moments of the here-and-now that we can all share. Thank you for every page."

"I was so impressed with how you described the area, the trappings of the times, the special little corners and what it was like to be a child growing up."

"Your book made me laugh out loud and it brought me to tears. The way you evoke and deal with your fear is so honest and so helpful, insightful, and will be for other women."

"Ok. It's not just a girl book. The thing is that most people do not share themselves like you did in your book. It makes us feel better that everyone has a little anxiety, doubts, fears . . ."

"You've found that sweet spot between the personal and the universal and done so with just the right amount of humour, reflection and seriousness. Can't wait to see what you have in store for your readers next!"