Leanne Toshiko Simpson's debut novel is a rom-com about mental illness

The Canadian writer talks to Q's Tom Power about her first book, Never Been Better

Image | Leanne Toshiko Simpson

Caption: Leanne Toshiko Simpson in the Q studio in Toronto. (Vivian Rashotte/CBC)

Media Audio | Q : Leanne Toshiko Simpson: Why the rom-com is the perfect format to discuss mental illness

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Leanne Toshiko Simpson is looking at romantic comedy through a new lens. The fourth-generation Japanese Canadian writer has just released her debut novel, Never Been Better, which tells a love story set at a psychiatric facility. Simpson lives with bipolar disorder and has spent time in a psych ward herself. She sits down with Q's Tom Power(external link) to tell us why she wanted to use the rom-com format to talk about mental illness.

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The full interview with Leanne Toshiko Simpson is available on our podcast, Q with Tom Power(external link). Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Interview with Leanne Toshiko Simpson produced by Ben Edwards.