The Tree of Ecstasy & Unbearable Sadness is an allegorical story of a boy's experience of psychosis, with mental illness represented as a fantastical tree whose flowers are ecstasy and whose fruit is unbearable sadness. Stunning drawings and paintings lead the reader through the boy's early discovery of his strangeness, his surrender to the disease (an all-consuming tree), the ensuing psychotic journey, and eventual self-acceptance. The recording of a full orchestral score composed by the author-illustrator will accompany the book, and an international tour is planned. AGES: 15 plus AUTHOR: Matt Ottley is an acclaimed and multiple award-winning authorillustrator who has published more than 35 books. As a composer, he has written scores for five of his own picture-books, which have been performed by orchestras and musicians across Australia. Matt has been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and creates this book from his personal experience with psychosis. This book comes with a CD recording and download link of Matt Ottley's symphony, which forms part of this multi-modal work.