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feear 's review for:
Furiously Happy: A Funny Book about Horrible Things
by Jenny Lawson
4+ out of 5 stars
Song associated: mirrorball by Taylor Swift
Early disclaimer: if you’re looking for a clever book about mental illness, this isn’t it. it’s supposed to be a fun light read so if you’re taking it too seriously, then you have the wrong book, Steve.
I considered associating this book with The Archer or this is me trying. But it was the tone of the book that made me think mirrorball was the better song choice. This book was not a wailing cry for help, or how invisible she felt, or the moment you’re in a bar with the bartender, drink in hand and staring blankly at the cup.
This book felt more like acceptance (of diagnoses, treatments, or life in general). The author’s life is peculiar, and this is a memoir i.e. it’s like reading her diary so of course, her stories and way of thinking are peculiar. What really stuck with me was when she asked to her s/o, ‘would your life have been easier if i (the medically-insane, diagnoses-riddled) was not in your life?’ and all the husband said was ‘it could have been easier, but it would not have been better.’ The author noted that her husband’s answer stuck with her till this day, and I think it would forever imprint on me too.
There were a lot of moments where this book made me chuckled. It was a lot like sitting with your best friend laughing at each other’s stories but then you hit a serious topic; after making a dark joke about it, you actually talk about it.
That was how I felt reading Jenny’s book, I was skeptical at first — would she make mental illness purely a laughing stock? I’m glad it wasn’t that. If anything, it was a heartwarming stock of ‘you’re not alone’, ‘i am weird and okay and i never want to change that’. This is one of the books I recommend reading the last few pages first instead of the front, to see if this is more of your jam.
Overall, I regarded 1-2 chapters of this book as a hangout/chat with my best friend. It is no wonder why some view this book as life-changing.
Song associated: mirrorball by Taylor Swift
Early disclaimer: if you’re looking for a clever book about mental illness, this isn’t it. it’s supposed to be a fun light read so if you’re taking it too seriously, then you have the wrong book, Steve.
I considered associating this book with The Archer or this is me trying. But it was the tone of the book that made me think mirrorball was the better song choice. This book was not a wailing cry for help, or how invisible she felt, or the moment you’re in a bar with the bartender, drink in hand and staring blankly at the cup.
This book felt more like acceptance (of diagnoses, treatments, or life in general). The author’s life is peculiar, and this is a memoir i.e. it’s like reading her diary so of course, her stories and way of thinking are peculiar. What really stuck with me was when she asked to her s/o, ‘would your life have been easier if i (the medically-insane, diagnoses-riddled) was not in your life?’ and all the husband said was ‘it could have been easier, but it would not have been better.’ The author noted that her husband’s answer stuck with her till this day, and I think it would forever imprint on me too.
There were a lot of moments where this book made me chuckled. It was a lot like sitting with your best friend laughing at each other’s stories but then you hit a serious topic; after making a dark joke about it, you actually talk about it.
That was how I felt reading Jenny’s book, I was skeptical at first — would she make mental illness purely a laughing stock? I’m glad it wasn’t that. If anything, it was a heartwarming stock of ‘you’re not alone’, ‘i am weird and okay and i never want to change that’. This is one of the books I recommend reading the last few pages first instead of the front, to see if this is more of your jam.
Overall, I regarded 1-2 chapters of this book as a hangout/chat with my best friend. It is no wonder why some view this book as life-changing.