The book by the outstanding French psychoanalyst, philosopher and linguist Y. Kristeva is dedicated to the theoretical and clinical analysis of depression and melancholy. Along with the main line of psychoanalytic research, she manages to link into a holistic conceptual unity historical and philosophical analysis, symbolic, mystical and religious allegories, a detailed analysis of Holbein’s paintings, theological and theological quests, Nerval’s poetry, mythical narratives, Dostoevsky’s prose, features of Orthodox Christianity, artistic creativity Duras. The book will be of interest to read not only by psychologists, but also by everyone who is interested in the latest trends in humanitarian research.