B
Genre: Memoir, Humor, Graphic Novel
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and I’m certainly no stranger to the trials and tribulations of keeping up with one’s own mental health, not to mention the mental health of my mother. (It’s exhausting sometimes, isn’t it?) So this May, I wanted to read something that I could identify with and that would allow me to further spotlight the importance of mental health discussions.
I’ve been a longtime fan of Hyperbole and a Half back when it was being semi-regularly updated online. The creator, Allie Brosh, has inadvertently spawned memes (Clean all the things!) and viral sensations. But her post regarding her struggles with depression have stuck with me all these years. At times, I’ll remember them and go back to the blog to read over her posts again.
However, the book version of Hyperbole and a Half is more than just Brosh’s greatest hits, though those are also included in the book.
By now, the book is a few years old and it’s been on my TBR list for forever. When I finally got it, I was surprised by how big it is, at over 350 brightly colored pages. The sunshine yellow cover tricks you into thinking you’re just in for a bunch of laughs and that you won’t be reading it at 1am, tearing up, as you blubber, “Oh my god, that’s me.”
Organized by what I’d say are illustrated autobiographical essays, each colored section is a story and most of the time, they don’t really have any relation. It bugged me how disjointed things felt at times, where I’d read two back to back chapters on Brosh’s depression, then follow those up with a story about how her mother accidentally got them lost in the woods. There’s a story about the time a goose was trapped in her house (which had me in stitches) and the next chapter all about the sometimes illogical processes of Brosh’s thoughts and feelings. It can often feel a bit jarring, like getting whiplash.
But everything is told with Brosh’s trademark self-deprecation and accentuated by her oftentimes hilarious art style. I love how mischievous and expressive cartoon Allie is. I can’t help but laugh at “the simple dog” and how the animal looks positively boneless and made of jello in every frame. It’s a book with personality in every aspect of its pages and I enjoyed taking my time with it.
And, as a I mentioned before, some of the content of the book is from her blog, so if you’ve read that, you’ve already read part of the book. But it’s also been a while since I’ve checked the blog site or went through the archives, so there were chapters when I honestly couldn’t remember if I’d read it before or not. When you have that recognition of a chapter being completely new to you, it’s even better.
Honestly, though, I’d recommend this book to anyone and everyone just for “Depression Part One” and “Depression Part Two.” It’s one of the most accurate descriptions of the disease and how it can completely wreak havoc on your emotions. While I appreciate having my own copy of Hyperbole and a Half to revisit and flip through whenever I want, I’m also very excited about Brosh’s next book, Solutions and Other Problems, coming out this fall, because I suspect there’s going to be a whole bunch of new stories that are equally hilarious as they are relatable and nearly unbelievable.
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Thanks!
oooo. Thanks for reminding me about this book, Amanda. I’ve read it before, but I think I will pick it up and read it again.
Your description of reading Allie nailed it– “…and that you won’t be reading it at 1am, tearing up, as you blubber, “Oh my god, that’s me.'”
Also a big thanks for mentioning Allie Brosh has a new book coming out. I didn’t know (I live under a rock.) It has been pre-ordered.
I agree, read this for the absolutely stunning pieces on depression. I don’t,have this issue, but my godson has terrible times with it. Brosch’s writings gave me so much more understanding and empathy than anything else, including professional journals.
Also, cake, cake, CAKE!!!!!!!
I enjoyed her blog years ago. I keep meaning to check if my library has this. Been on my goodreads list for a long time.
It has been a tough week due to flaky guys and this is exactly what I need tonight. Ordered it and it’s waiting for me! Thank you so, so much for this recommendation
@Jayebird744: Sorry to hear about flaky guys! But I do hope you enjoy the book!
The pea under the fridge! I have depression and I love, love this book. I think there might be a second one out. I am going to have to go check now. Thank you so much for reviewing it! <3
You already said the second book thing. Maybe I should mention I also have ADD? These are no holds barred posts, here. Break the stigma! LOL. 🙂 Seriously. I’m a little wonky sometimes.
This book has been gold in our family–my son asked if he could get it as a gift for my daughter after seeing some of the comics online. He’s my 12 year old emotional IQ genius because now we’ve all read it and it’s been a great way to lighten the mood about my daughter’s sometimes crippling anxiety/OCD and my anxiety and depression. But the best part is the dog stories 🙂
I absolutely love this book, and I’ve already pre-ordered her next book (currently due out in October). I’ve heard a couple of interviews with Brosh and she’s just as intelligent and well-spoken as you would imagine. I recommend her site and her book to everyone.
The god of cake is one of the things that practically saved my life during an extremely stressful year. I read it like every day for months because I needed the cathartic mad hatterish laughter that came with it. I think Allie’s brilliant and can’t wait for her new book.
I too have ridden the mental health roller coaster, dealing with my own issues as well as various family members. It helps so much to be able to laugh about things. This looks adorable and hilarious. Can’t wait to check it out!
Since it’s mental health awareness month, I’d like to mention two tv shows I discovered recently that dealt with mental illness in funny, relatable ways. You’re The Worst (season 2) on FX and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend on CW.
There was a solid month last winter when I barely got out of bed. I found these shows about a month later and it was so nice to see women characters dealing with some of the same mental health issues I was. And these are both romantic comedies, not heavy dramas. You’re the Worst is an anti-romance rom-com about two assholes who fall in love despite themselves. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is a musical rom-com that’s like The Lonely Island meets Broadway. The later features a song called “Sexy French Depression” that’s ridiculous but totally relatable.
@Marci: Love Crazy Ex-Girlfriend! And I believe Elyse has recommended You’re the Worst to us. Maybe I should start watching!
So sorry to hear about your experiences as well, but I hope you’re on the upswing!
Thanks Amanda! I’m doing much better now.
You should definitely check out You’re the Worst. Season one is on Hulu. It’s cynical but sexy and refreshingly honest about sex and relationships. Plus it features a great female friendship, which is something I like about both shows.