Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened by Allie Brosh, 369 pagesAllie Brosh is not a good artist. She'll likely never win a drawing contest with any of the better-known (or even lesser-known) artists. But once you get used to her blob-with-stick-arms people and her vaguely flat-looking dogs, her artwork is endearing and awesome.
Hyperbole and a Half isn't graphic novel or comic book, though. Nor is it exactly a prose piece. Rather, this book is a highly-illustrated, very funny memoir, created journal-style and generously peppered with Brosh's quirky drawings (much like Brosh's blog of the same name). It's filled with memories like the time the goose attacked her and the time that she ate her grandfather's entire birthday cake, but it's also got some surprisingly soul-searching entries as well. I particularly enjoyed Brosh's realistic, matter-of-fact, but also unexpectedly funny take on depression; this section should be required reading for anyone who is trying to deal with a friend or family member who is depressed.
Actually, strike that. This book should simply be required reading. For everyone. It's that great.
I was JUST reading a review of this in People magazine. Gonna have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteGah! You beat me to it. I'm first in the hold line, but it hasn't come in yet.
ReplyDeleteKaren, that's probably because it's still sitting on my table at home. Sorry! I'll return it ASAP!
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