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mrsfligs's review against another edition
3.0
When an author tried to be funny about acute mental issues, it can often backfire-- making their issues seem less dire than they really are. Also, it is hard to "laugh" when a situation seems so awful and sad. This is the case with Agorafabulous -- Benicasa's account of her struggle with mental illness. Although it was interesting and honest, the attempt to be comic about something that isn't really funny didn't quite work for me.
rebeccarennerfl's review against another edition
5.0
The only problem I had about this book is that I wanted it to be longer. :)
carolynaugustyn's review against another edition
3.0
I'm always on the hunt for memoirs and biographies that deal with different experiences with mental illness- mostly just to educate myself but without reading textbook definitions. This was certainly an interesting look into agoraphobia and was done in a comedic way. I personally enjoy memoirs that balance serious topics (mental illness) with comedy. It seems more real and accessible and true to how I find it possible to survive the truly crappy moments. Sara Benincasa is a lovely writer and can make some very hilarious observations about the crappy side of mental illness. This reads more as a collection of essays on her life and mental illness in general and less as an in depth look at agoraphobia or anxiety. But I enjoyed it and found there to be some really touching and also really hilarious parts to this book.
jussery's review against another edition
3.0
I think this missed the mark for me somewhere. I'm pretty far along the process of recovery from agoraphobia and I just wanted to laugh with someone that gets it - but the writing style just wasn't for me personally.
kmj98's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best books I have read about ones triumphant battle with anxiety or any other mental illness for that matter. Thank god for Marc Maron's podcast or I would not have known of the talent that is Sara Benincasa. She has made me believe that anything is possible in spite of the demons that face us. Dreams can come true. Therefore, there is hope and humor. What more can you ask for than that? I say nothing. Thank you Sara. Everyone dealing with, living with, loving with mental illness this book is for you. She is our voice and our hope. She's pretty fucking funny too!
ckcombsdotcom's review against another edition
5.0
Sara Benincasa is a very funny person. I am grateful she chose to go into comedy rather than education (though in an alternate reality alt-Sara is probably cracking up her students and existing as the most popular teacher in her school).
I’m also glad she chose to write this wickedly funny and seriously real memoir. I think you’ll enjoy it too.
I’m also glad she chose to write this wickedly funny and seriously real memoir. I think you’ll enjoy it too.
frogfruit's review against another edition
2.0
I normally love memoirs and especially memoirs from crazy people. I really wanted to like this one. I relate to the subject very well, but it was like the author could only tell what happened without conveying adequately the emotional significance of the experience, and so a lot of it seemed glossed over and maybe exaggerated.
The author had problems staying on topic and would go off on random tangents and weird history lessons. It felt like a chore to read, and I almost didn't finish it.
Finally, it just wasn't that funny. A few parts induced a little snicker, but I was expecting something along the lines of Allie Brosh or Jenny Lawson. So with the deficiencies in humor, grit, and insight, I felt it was a pretty pointless read.
The author had problems staying on topic and would go off on random tangents and weird history lessons. It felt like a chore to read, and I almost didn't finish it.
Finally, it just wasn't that funny. A few parts induced a little snicker, but I was expecting something along the lines of Allie Brosh or Jenny Lawson. So with the deficiencies in humor, grit, and insight, I felt it was a pretty pointless read.
sierrajhansen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
amazing! this memoir made me laugh out loud several times and was an interesting glimpse into agoraphobia as it plays out in a young woman. also a great reminder that in life, when shit hits the fan, you can truly drop everything to focus on yourself and everything will be okay.
loses 0.5 stars for some classic aughts mildly racist generalizations and stereotypes, but overall very tame.
loses 0.5 stars for some classic aughts mildly racist generalizations and stereotypes, but overall very tame.
caitlin_reads88's review against another edition
4.0
Sara Benincasa's memoir chronicles her journey through crippling panic attacks that leave her temporarily unable to leave her college apartment. A particularly nervous child, Sara's book begins with her going to an Italian ER for a panic attack while on a school trip and follows her into college at Emerson.
At twenty-one she becomes unable to leave her apartment, or even leaving her bed. She stops taking showers and makes up excuses for why she can't go out with friends. After a worried friend contacts her parents she is ushered out of her apartment (where she has been peeing in soup bowls out of fear that the bathroom has bad vibes) and back into her childhood home in New Jersey.
It's always nice when other people's particular brand of crazy outweighs your own.
Sara has a lovely sense of humor about her past situation. She is still afraid of public transportation and has a list of her techniques for getting through traumas like driving. She is honest about her reliance on prescription drugs, therapy and parental support system.
I've always like memoirs written by the unfamous and this sweet story of a girl trying to find her way into the land of the sane was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
At twenty-one she becomes unable to leave her apartment, or even leaving her bed. She stops taking showers and makes up excuses for why she can't go out with friends. After a worried friend contacts her parents she is ushered out of her apartment (where she has been peeing in soup bowls out of fear that the bathroom has bad vibes) and back into her childhood home in New Jersey.
It's always nice when other people's particular brand of crazy outweighs your own.
Sara has a lovely sense of humor about her past situation. She is still afraid of public transportation and has a list of her techniques for getting through traumas like driving. She is honest about her reliance on prescription drugs, therapy and parental support system.
I've always like memoirs written by the unfamous and this sweet story of a girl trying to find her way into the land of the sane was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
laurab2125's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely fascinating and funny look into the world of mental illness. There were moments that had me absolutely laughing out loud and the next, in tears.