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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
I bawled my eyes out at some parts and laughed my guts out at others. Really good.
What a read. I wouldn't expect anything less from Allie though. Some chapters I just didn't understand, hence the 4 stars but all up this was a ride for sure. Ups, downs, and lots of sideways. If you haven't read Hyperbole first I'd go in with that first to set you up for this bigger deep dive into her brain. It takes a minute to get used to, but worth it the second after that minute is up.
I got this the day it was released, and carefully read it a bit at a time to make it last as long as possible. I'm sure I'll read it again, of course, because it is delightful, entertaining, and heartwrenching all at the same time. No matter who you are, you will find something to relate to in this book, even if it's just the joy in drawing simple pictures. Allie's experiences are particularly applicable during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, as so many of us are living cut off from our friends and family through no fault of our own.
Consider this to be like a graphic novel and read it in paper format, not on a black and white Kindle. You'll miss out on the content if it's not in color.
Consider this to be like a graphic novel and read it in paper format, not on a black and white Kindle. You'll miss out on the content if it's not in color.
I always adore Allie’s books. Whether she has me laughing until I cry or just crying to cry, her books provide so much entertainment.
At 2am, this book threw me into a laughing fit I couldn't get out of for a full 10 minutes. It was loud and deeply undignified, and I enjoyed it very much. Just like this book.
emotional
funny
medium-paced
I loved this book so much. Perfect mix of funny and raw. I love graphic novels and while the art style is simple, some might think messy, I think it adds to the story.
Content Warnings
I hate to give this 3 stars but I really didn't understand several of the stories. I think this deserves a second read, so maybe things will click for me next time. There was definitely some funny, LOL stuff, and I adore Brosh's depictions of animals. It's also clear that Brosh has endured some seriously awful, tragic, intense shit since her last book, so this is a very different tome.
Maybe there were subtle clues in the art, or my brain absorbed the color choices of the cover in my copy, but I sensed a different tone in this volume from the last. Even before I hit the gut-punch chapters. Something was "off" and leaning towards less of a humorous bite than with the previous volume. (I certainly didn't have to try to muffle my laughter to avoid waking my husband) I don't know how I knew, but my subconscious certainly did.
And that made reading this volume a different experience. (No, I'm not psychic; don't ask)
I know there are no answers for most of the situations Ms. Brosh tackles - satisfactory or otherwise. But so many chapters felt incomplete. They dropped away with no resolution of any kind, leaving me double-checking page numbers to ensure my book wasn't damaged. Where was the rest of the story? What happened to bring that vignette to a close? Why was I left holding armloads of emotional baggage that wasn't mine? It was frustrating and maddening.
Even if a person hadn't shared an identical experience, they likely understood a parallel. They entered into the chapter wanting to explore the pathway. And ended up dumped in the middle of the woods. At the very least, shrug a shoulder and confess that you were as lost as they were. But don't leave everything suspended in space without a closing argument of some kind. It was clumsy and frequent enough to make the reading irritating. How can I share a journey or commiserate with you if you insist on stopping mid-sentence and staring at me? I'm not a therapist; I'm a human being - as damaged and fallible as you. So treat me as such.
I wanted to feel a connection, I really did. But Ms. Brosh went out of her way to define a firm boundary. It wasn't a pleasant experience.
And that made reading this volume a different experience. (No, I'm not psychic; don't ask)
I know there are no answers for most of the situations Ms. Brosh tackles - satisfactory or otherwise. But so many chapters felt incomplete. They dropped away with no resolution of any kind, leaving me double-checking page numbers to ensure my book wasn't damaged. Where was the rest of the story? What happened to bring that vignette to a close? Why was I left holding armloads of emotional baggage that wasn't mine? It was frustrating and maddening.
Even if a person hadn't shared an identical experience, they likely understood a parallel. They entered into the chapter wanting to explore the pathway. And ended up dumped in the middle of the woods. At the very least, shrug a shoulder and confess that you were as lost as they were. But don't leave everything suspended in space without a closing argument of some kind. It was clumsy and frequent enough to make the reading irritating. How can I share a journey or commiserate with you if you insist on stopping mid-sentence and staring at me? I'm not a therapist; I'm a human being - as damaged and fallible as you. So treat me as such.
I wanted to feel a connection, I really did. But Ms. Brosh went out of her way to define a firm boundary. It wasn't a pleasant experience.
I'm more of a casual reader of the Hyberbole and a Half blog. So I came into this knowing who the author was but not much more. This book is hilarious. It's perfect for those of us who have ever suffered the death of a loved one or dealt with mental illness or had a relationship end. She writes about it all with humor, grace and even some surprising insights of wisdom. This is the perfect book for these times we are living in cause it approaches our everyday problems and helps us find the humor in them.
Okay, this one was fucking sad. But in a good way? But also not? TW: existential despair.