![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
2013 Book Review #134: Hyperbole and a Half
Title: Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened
Author: Allie Brosch
Genre: Semi-autobiographical sort-of humor (illustrated)
Thingummies: 4
Synopsis: A mix of posts from the blog and new material from the creator of the "Clean all the things?" meme.
Thoughts: Re-reading a number of Brosch's classic posts can be a slightly uncomfortable experience. They're still funny. Hilarious, actually. Brosch's wry prose and ridiculous illustrations of her pathetic dogs, childhood misadventures, and issues with adulthood combine for over-the-top madcap mayhem.
But knowing that she's only just starting to emerge from a bout of crippling depression does put a different spin on things. Her post on failing at adulthood initially came across as charmingly self-deprecating. Now, it's apparent how little hyperbole may have actually been involved. It's still insanely funny, and still obviously rings true. But instead of the "ha ha, yeah, I feel like that too!" reaction, I have the "ha ha, oh you poor thing" reaction. It feels unfair to compare my occasional imposter syndrome issues with those of someone who turns out to have been suffering rather badly.
That said, her posts on depression may be some of the most strangely insightful and honest discussions of the problem that I've seen. Brosch's deliberately crude art style helps mask the work of someone who is clearly both fiercely intelligent and brave.
And you know what? It's still funny.
Author: Allie Brosch
Genre: Semi-autobiographical sort-of humor (illustrated)
Thingummies: 4
Synopsis: A mix of posts from the blog and new material from the creator of the "Clean all the things?" meme.
Thoughts: Re-reading a number of Brosch's classic posts can be a slightly uncomfortable experience. They're still funny. Hilarious, actually. Brosch's wry prose and ridiculous illustrations of her pathetic dogs, childhood misadventures, and issues with adulthood combine for over-the-top madcap mayhem.
But knowing that she's only just starting to emerge from a bout of crippling depression does put a different spin on things. Her post on failing at adulthood initially came across as charmingly self-deprecating. Now, it's apparent how little hyperbole may have actually been involved. It's still insanely funny, and still obviously rings true. But instead of the "ha ha, yeah, I feel like that too!" reaction, I have the "ha ha, oh you poor thing" reaction. It feels unfair to compare my occasional imposter syndrome issues with those of someone who turns out to have been suffering rather badly.
That said, her posts on depression may be some of the most strangely insightful and honest discussions of the problem that I've seen. Brosch's deliberately crude art style helps mask the work of someone who is clearly both fiercely intelligent and brave.
And you know what? It's still funny.