Reviews with content warning for Vomit - It's Kind of a Funny Story

The story was good in Parts 1 and 2 then went downhill for me.

I appreciate the reviews that said the book was funny and depicted mental health issues without being depressing, which holds true. The humor wasn't super ha-ha funny but instead witty. The tone of writing felt accurate to the voice of a 15 year-old boy. Craig's relation to his peers were also accurate to his age. As much as I hated reading it, his innermost thoughts about school, girls, and other characters in the book also felt realistic. Particularly his worries about school hit hard because I know I had some of those same thoughts when I was 15.

I have several gripes about this book that kept me from enjoying it. Spoilers from now on:

- Craig has MASSIVE main-character syndrome. I know he's literally the main character, but it got ridiculous. You have one suicidal moment, then get checked into the psychiatric hospital? I mean, good on him for getting help instead of waiting for years like the majority of people with clinical depression do. You get to make out with two girls in your hospital room? Did this hospital have no safety regulations? Visitors can wander everywhere? I've never been in a psychiatric hospital so I don't know how this works.

- The characters were flat, particularly the women. There is no difference in Nia and Noelle besides their names, described appearances, and their relation to Craig (hot girl who goes to his school versus other hot girl who is also in the hospital). I hate that I read several pages worth of descriptions of what they were wearing, their tits, their thighs, etc. I don't think Craig's mother and sister ever shared a significant interaction. This book does not pass the Bechdel test, lol. All the prominent female characters were there to serve Craig in some way. Again, main-character syndrome.

- Noelle seemed particularly useless. Her only use in the plot was to be the next love interest once Nia was out of the picture. Craig and Noelle's relationship was in general just annoying to read about. It was a terribly convenient romance.

- The depiction of mental illness, disordered eating, etc. was very compelling in the first two parts of the book (why those were my favorite sections). Once Craig gets into the hospital, all his symptoms seem to disappear. All that happens while he's in the hospital is fussing over girls and talking to the other hospital residents. I suppose it makes sense, because once his primary stressor cannot bother him (school) then of course his symptoms would lessen.

- Overall this story could have been condensed. 400+ pages was a drag to get through.

RIP Ned Vizzini

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kimrice992's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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valreadssometimes's review

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emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.75

It took me several months to read this book because it was painful to get through. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes the depiction of mental illness and depression felt genuine and real, but it was overshadowed by the other aspects of the book.

To put it this way, the book most definitely feels like it was written by a teenage boy. There are multiple references to sex that are raunchy and really distracted me from the main message. The narrator, Craig, cannot describe a single female character without it feeling vile. There’s even a line where a character’s breasts are said to roll along with her eyes (I had to put the book down and reflect).

Not only that but the characters all felt two dimensional. As you can probably assume, none of the female characters are there for anything other than to be fantasy material for Craig.

I was so upset with the half-hearted buildup of his relationship with Noelle. She was suffering because she was objectified and used, and that’s exactly what Craig does to her as well and it was awful.

Oh yeah, there’s also slurs in here, as well as just really offensive descriptions. The trans character mentioned on the back cover appears ONCE, and it’s only to be some sort of twisted comedic relief. We never get any of her story, and the scene she was in left a bad taste in my mouth.

I don’t understand why I tortured myself with finishing the book.

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