Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and Me by Ellen Forney

6 reviews

polkadots_pints's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

4.75

 As an individual who is also bipolar, I really enjoyed this book a lot. Of course, every journey is different, but it was interesting hearing her’s, and was very relatable. Really resourceful in explaining the intricacies of bipolar, as well as providing suggestions of other helpful resources. I highly recommend everyone read this to gain a better understanding, not just folks with bipolar. I think another plus is that being in graphic novel/graphic memoir form may make it more accessible to individuals who may not be able to get into more traditional books out there regarding the illness. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Chronic illness

Moderate: Suicide, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Drug use

Minor: Alcohol, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

vonni's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Addiction, Medical content, Medical trauma, Drug use, Chronic illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Sexual content and Addiction

Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide

travelseatsreads's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.5

I was immediately drawn to the gorgeous bright cover of Marbles when I spotted it on the library shelf. When I read that it was about someone dealing with Bipolar Disorder I was really curious to see how it would work so I brought it home.

Marbles is a memoir style graphic novel in which Ellen Forney takes us with her on her journey with Bipolar Disorder as she negotiates her diagnosis, her many medications, her moods, her behaviours and her creativity.

Ellen is brutally honest and so forthcoming throughout the whole book allowing the reader to see pretty much every detail she experiences on her journey, from her devastating lows to her euphoric mania fueled highs. It's this honesty that enables the book to be so emotional, deeply entertaining and fun while also being hugely educational at the same time.

The drawings are absolutely spectacular from start to finish. Her depictions of her episodes of mania and dysthymia are done so well that you can almost feel the experience from the pages. I found myself getting a little worn out by some of them at times which I think totally highlights their effectiveness. Ellen also included some drawings which she drew while unwell and it was absolutely fascinating to see her creativity and perceptions morph between each episode. The only thing is, I would have loved to have seen some splashes of colour included at times rather than the black and white palette on every page. Ellen's style elsewhere pops with vibrancy and it would have been nice to see some of that echoed here, maybe even in some of the mania related sections.

Ellen discusses the link between mental illness (mainly Bipolar Disorder) with particular reference to her own experience and includes a great selection of referenced information which was really interesting to see. The list of "famous sufferers" was definitely an eye opener. 

An absolutely fascinating, honest and engaging read about one woman's journey with Bipolar Disorder.

*TWs for Mental Illness, Mild Sexual Content, Drug Use and Suicidal Ideation.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Sexual content, Drug use, and Suicidal thoughts

johaenen's review against another edition

funny hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, Medical content, and Drug abuse

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

mimi_panini's review

dark emotional funny hopeful informative reflective fast-paced

4.0

had to read this for my american lit class and i liked it a lot. a few parts of it hit home for me, and it was fun to read too. before reading, i was quite unfamiliar with bipolar disorder, so it was very educational as well. i have limited experience with graphic novels, but whenever i do read them, i feel inspired to try my hand at it, even though i can't draw to save my life. maybe one day.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug use

Minor: Suicide

saraellenme's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts