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crystalstarrlight's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
4.0
Bullet Review:
REREAD: God, the portions on depression are spot on! I don't know that I actually laughed much, but I totally related to more than one portion of this.
Full Review:
Once again, why did I choose to reread a book I read nearly 8 years ago instead of going through my massive TBR Mountain? Well, someone happened to like my previous review, and when I looked back on this book, I remembered clearly the Depression parts. As I reread my old review (which was pretty lackluster and pathetic - sorry for that, kind people who have liked my review!), I noted that I finished it in 2 days. So being mildly competitive and coming out of the Year that was 2020 that made me lose what little grasp of reality, I decided to finish this in a day. Which I basically did. And which basically makes me amazing. (This is why Allie Brosh and I are basically the same person - we brag to ourselves about our very pathetic accomplishments. No offense meant, Allie.)
If I had to determine what makes Allie Brosh stand out from most other humor books is 1) the bad drawings and 2) her frank discussions on depression and her character. Her discussions of what depression was like as well as her being a mediocre person who dreamed herself the most generous, put-together adult (who regularly recycled) were the best parts of the book - I completely saw myself in her 3 sections on depression at multiple stages of my adult life, ranging from college to just last year, and I also related to when she talked about aspiring to be a Good Person, but mostly being an OK to shitty person who does shitty things.
I won't say this book had me in stitches, but it was humorous, especially the sections where the drawings augment the story and there aren't massive sections of text. The sections about the dogs was kinda cringe, especially given that the r-word is tossed around quite frequently for one of her poor dogs that isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. Even in 2013, using the r-word or "simple" wouldn't have been OK. That said, there were a few places that got a chuckle out of me - trying to convince her dogs not to eat bees for example or her young self begging her mom for cake.
For people who wonder what it is like to have depression, I think this is one of the best descriptors of it. Without the drawings, I don't think this would really stand out of 90% of humor books, and if you don't like swearing, don't pick this up!
Initially I rated this 5-stars; I can't really rate it that way anymore, but it's still a high 4-stars. Enjoyable read, if you like bad drawings and swearing.
Old Review:
Somehow, in the New Year's Shuffle, I neglected to review this book. Well, a week into the New Year, I will remedy this with a short review, as I don't think I could write a full length review that would do this book justice.
I found out about this book while whining about the atrocious books that got voted onto the Goodreads 2013 Choice Awards (seriously, how the hell did Katy Evans of "REAL" fame get nominated as "Debut Author"?!). I mentioned that AT LEAST Neil Gaiman won for Fantasy (there is hope for the world), when others *cough*JaneWillow Ashley Jeanette*cough* chimed in about how pleased they were that Allie Brosh won her category with "Hyperbole and a Half".
That did it. I had to read this book. Only I had a problem: my 2014 goal was not to buy any new books, but to read the ones I already owned. Solution? Use Christmas money and buy before January 1st!! (Brilliant move, right?)
I think I finished this book in two days. OK, that seems a long time, but really, it was probably two sittings, nestled between lots of naps (Vicodin makes me extremely sleepy). I couldn't put it down (unless, of course, the Vicodin kicked in and sent me to Hushaby Mountain). It was funny; it was heart-breakingly real (the sections on depression); it was everything I had been hoping for in Me Talk Pretty One Day but didn't get.
Best use of Christmas money. Best breaking of my 2014 rule. Now excuse me while I go check out her blog and see what today's post is.
REREAD: God, the portions on depression are spot on! I don't know that I actually laughed much, but I totally related to more than one portion of this.
Full Review:
Once again, why did I choose to reread a book I read nearly 8 years ago instead of going through my massive TBR Mountain? Well, someone happened to like my previous review, and when I looked back on this book, I remembered clearly the Depression parts. As I reread my old review (which was pretty lackluster and pathetic - sorry for that, kind people who have liked my review!), I noted that I finished it in 2 days. So being mildly competitive and coming out of the Year that was 2020 that made me lose what little grasp of reality, I decided to finish this in a day. Which I basically did. And which basically makes me amazing. (This is why Allie Brosh and I are basically the same person - we brag to ourselves about our very pathetic accomplishments. No offense meant, Allie.)
If I had to determine what makes Allie Brosh stand out from most other humor books is 1) the bad drawings and 2) her frank discussions on depression and her character. Her discussions of what depression was like as well as her being a mediocre person who dreamed herself the most generous, put-together adult (who regularly recycled) were the best parts of the book - I completely saw myself in her 3 sections on depression at multiple stages of my adult life, ranging from college to just last year, and I also related to when she talked about aspiring to be a Good Person, but mostly being an OK to shitty person who does shitty things.
I won't say this book had me in stitches, but it was humorous, especially the sections where the drawings augment the story and there aren't massive sections of text. The sections about the dogs was kinda cringe, especially given that the r-word is tossed around quite frequently for one of her poor dogs that isn't the sharpest tool in the shed. Even in 2013, using the r-word or "simple" wouldn't have been OK. That said, there were a few places that got a chuckle out of me - trying to convince her dogs not to eat bees for example or her young self begging her mom for cake.
For people who wonder what it is like to have depression, I think this is one of the best descriptors of it. Without the drawings, I don't think this would really stand out of 90% of humor books, and if you don't like swearing, don't pick this up!
Initially I rated this 5-stars; I can't really rate it that way anymore, but it's still a high 4-stars. Enjoyable read, if you like bad drawings and swearing.
Old Review:
Somehow, in the New Year's Shuffle, I neglected to review this book. Well, a week into the New Year, I will remedy this with a short review, as I don't think I could write a full length review that would do this book justice.
I found out about this book while whining about the atrocious books that got voted onto the Goodreads 2013 Choice Awards (seriously, how the hell did Katy Evans of "REAL" fame get nominated as "Debut Author"?!). I mentioned that AT LEAST Neil Gaiman won for Fantasy (there is hope for the world), when others *cough*JaneWillow Ashley Jeanette*cough* chimed in about how pleased they were that Allie Brosh won her category with "Hyperbole and a Half".
That did it. I had to read this book. Only I had a problem: my 2014 goal was not to buy any new books, but to read the ones I already owned. Solution? Use Christmas money and buy before January 1st!! (Brilliant move, right?)
I think I finished this book in two days. OK, that seems a long time, but really, it was probably two sittings, nestled between lots of naps (Vicodin makes me extremely sleepy). I couldn't put it down (unless, of course, the Vicodin kicked in and sent me to Hushaby Mountain). It was funny; it was heart-breakingly real (the sections on depression); it was everything I had been hoping for in Me Talk Pretty One Day but didn't get.
Best use of Christmas money. Best breaking of my 2014 rule. Now excuse me while I go check out her blog and see what today's post is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Mental illness
cursed10fold's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Ableism
angorarabbit's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
4.0
Context: My brain broke finishing Earthlings and Dahlgen in the same month.
TLDR: It made me laugh out loud several times. It’s okay to judge me.
Owning a number of rescues over the decades, I appreciated The Simple Dog and the Helper Dog and the other 2 dog essays. I felt Motivation and This is Why I Will Never Be an Adult to my bones. I understood Identity Parts 1 and 2 all too well.
It did take some time to appreciate the Rage Comic style of the illustrations but they went well with the essays.
What can I say, a book where I laugh out loud while reading is rare for me. Maybe my sense of humour is broke?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Minor: Ableism
The r word is used in reference to simple dog multiple times. Depression is the theme in 2 essays.ghosthills's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Minor: Ableism
megrob's review
Repeated use of the term "retard" used to demean the intelligence of a dog character.
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism
suspiciouspinecone's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
4.25
Minus .25 a star for repeated use of the r-slur.
This book was absolutely hilarious. There were moments I could hardly breathe because I was laughing so hard, my mouth and throat hurt, it was just that funny. The art is terrible, but that's part of the humour.
Amongst this absolute hysterical book was a couple of in depth descriptions of mental illness. This makes the book worth reading on it's own, just for the incredible honest depictions of this.
I'm tagging this is neurodivergent because the author is/was obviously undiagnosed autistic/adhd.
This book was absolutely hilarious. There were moments I could hardly breathe because I was laughing so hard, my mouth and throat hurt, it was just that funny. The art is terrible, but that's part of the humour.
Amongst this absolute hysterical book was a couple of in depth descriptions of mental illness. This makes the book worth reading on it's own, just for the incredible honest depictions of this.
I'm tagging this is neurodivergent because the author is/was obviously undiagnosed autistic/adhd.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Ableism
menomica's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
And that’s the most frustrating thing about depression. It isn’t always something you can fight back against with hope. It isn’t even something—it’s nothing.
Revisiting this from fifth grade and wow. This holds up a lot more than I expected
Her chapters about depression were so disarmingly relatable. It felt so close to my own personal experiences I was like «wow, you perfectly articulated a very niche aspect of depression that people do not discuss!» It felt very affirming.
I really love Allie as an artist and author. Excited to revist her other works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Minor: Ableism and Vomit
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
3.5
Finished reading: June 1st 2023
"And that's the most frustrating thing about depression. It isn't always something you can fight back against with hope."
I confess that I hardly ever read graphic novels, but I needed one to help complete the Beat The Backlist Bingo challenge... I came across Hyperbole And A Half when I was browsing options, and I remembered that there was quite a hype around this memoir back when it came out. I've also seen the illustrations around, so I was curious to see what my reaction to this book would be. Overall, it turned out to be quite a positive experience. While I did enjoy some chapters more than others, and I though the spark got a little weaker towards the ending, I could really appreciate the honest take on depression and anxiety. Sure, there are quite a few funny moments, but this book also explores heavier topics including suicide. It was all well balanced out though, and there was also a healthy dose of dogs and even a battle with a goose. The illustrations themselves aren't exactly pretty, but somehow they work really well with the tone of the text. I can understand why so many people have mentioned Hyperbole And A Half over the years!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Cursing, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
sgjohnson2001's review
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism, Cursing, and Racial slurs
Content warning: Uses R word in chapter Simple Dog and phrase “Eskimo vagrant” in Depression Part One