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A review by emilyinherhead
Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
4.5
If you know Allie Brosh, you know. Her art style is quirky and recognizable and perfectly suited to the stories she tells. This collection is very personal, and it swings back and forth between funny and incredibly sad—there were many parts that made me chuckle, but I flat-out sobbed through chapter 10.
Comparing this book to her previous one, Hyperbole and a Half, I'd say that this one has a darker undercurrent. Brosh has lived through some really tough years since Hyperbole was published, and it shows. I'm grateful to her for sharing these experiences—folks with depression and mental health struggles will definitely identify with some of the feelings she describes. (But again I will say: chapter 10 is a hard one, so if you're not in a solid place mentally, maybe wait and revisit that one when you're feeling more stable.)
The one small thing I didn't totally love was the way some of the chapters just seemed to... end. There was no feeling of conclusion, like Brosh wasn't quite sure what the point of the story was or what she wanted to say by sharing it.
But overall, I recommend this graphic memoir, especially if you're already a fan of Allie Brosh and her work. It's one I plan to treasure and revisit.
Comparing this book to her previous one, Hyperbole and a Half, I'd say that this one has a darker undercurrent. Brosh has lived through some really tough years since Hyperbole was published, and it shows. I'm grateful to her for sharing these experiences—folks with depression and mental health struggles will definitely identify with some of the feelings she describes. (But again I will say: chapter 10 is a hard one, so if you're not in a solid place mentally, maybe wait and revisit that one when you're feeling more stable.)
The one small thing I didn't totally love was the way some of the chapters just seemed to... end. There was no feeling of conclusion, like Brosh wasn't quite sure what the point of the story was or what she wanted to say by sharing it.
But overall, I recommend this graphic memoir, especially if you're already a fan of Allie Brosh and her work. It's one I plan to treasure and revisit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Mental illness
Moderate: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide