It's Kind Of A Funny Story
.Author: Ned Vizzini
Published by: Hyperion
Pages: 445
Format: Paperback
My Rating ★★★★
Ambitious New York teenager Craig Gilner is determined to succeed at life – which means getting into the right high school to get into the right college to get the right job. But once Craig aces his way into Manhattan’s Executive Pre-Professional High School, the pressure becomes unbearable. He stops eating and sleeping until, one night, he nearly kills himself.
Craig’s suicidal episode gets him checked into a mental hospital, where his new neighbours include a transsexual sex addict, a girl who has scarred her own face with scissors, and the self-elected President Armelio. There, Craig is finally able to confront the sources of his anxiety.
Ned Vizzini, who himself spent time in a psychiatric hospital, created a remarkably moving tale about the sometimes unexpected road to happiness.
My thoughts
Craig Gilner is an ambitious teen wanting to get into the best school, go to the best college, and get the best job. When he gets accepted into the Manhattan’s Executive Pre-Professional High School, Craig believes he is headed on the right track. Soon, however, the pressure becomes too much. The class work, extracurricular activities, friends, girls, e-mails, and pot smoking become more than he can handle.
One night, Craig decides to take his own life. Before he does, he reaches out to the Suicide Hotline. Craig goes to the hospital and admits himself into a mental hospital. From there he meets the other residents and begins on the road to better understanding his illness and how to cope with things. Although each resident has a different version of events leading up to their admittance, ultimately, they are each attempting to cope with life.
I loved the writing and the way the author allows us into the mind of this troubled teenager. Lately, there seem to be an abundance of YA fiction reads dealing with themes of suicide, depression and so on, but this one really stood out because it is so well written.
I felt Ned Vizzini handled the issues of anxiety, depression and suicide with humour and a sense of lightness that made the book so unique. It is such an important read, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Weirdly enough, this is a book about depression, but it’s really not the least bit depressing.
I thought Craig’s thoughts and feelings were portrayed through skilful writing, great character development and a casual tone that made him a likeable and interesting narrator. The relationships he shared with people around him were very interesting and I found it fascinating how quickly he felt at ease around the other residents in the ward, despite struggling to really connect previously with his high school friends. Definitely check this one out if you’re a fan of books such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower or Girl, Interrupted.
The story is written in a clever, self-deprecating tone which makes this such an entertaining read. I liked it as a story about a boy who deals with depression and anxiety, learning to manage it in the most beautiful way.
It’s Kind of A Funny Story can be best described as a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age novel. This is a beloved book about a teenager grappling with suicidal thoughts, written by a wonderful author who sadly took his own life. A memorable and important book to add to your reading list.
Overall reaction:
Published by: Hyperion
Pages: 445
Format: Paperback
My Rating ★★★★
Ambitious New York teenager Craig Gilner is determined to succeed at life – which means getting into the right high school to get into the right college to get the right job. But once Craig aces his way into Manhattan’s Executive Pre-Professional High School, the pressure becomes unbearable. He stops eating and sleeping until, one night, he nearly kills himself.
Craig’s suicidal episode gets him checked into a mental hospital, where his new neighbours include a transsexual sex addict, a girl who has scarred her own face with scissors, and the self-elected President Armelio. There, Craig is finally able to confront the sources of his anxiety.
Ned Vizzini, who himself spent time in a psychiatric hospital, created a remarkably moving tale about the sometimes unexpected road to happiness.
My thoughts
Craig Gilner is an ambitious teen wanting to get into the best school, go to the best college, and get the best job. When he gets accepted into the Manhattan’s Executive Pre-Professional High School, Craig believes he is headed on the right track. Soon, however, the pressure becomes too much. The class work, extracurricular activities, friends, girls, e-mails, and pot smoking become more than he can handle.
One night, Craig decides to take his own life. Before he does, he reaches out to the Suicide Hotline. Craig goes to the hospital and admits himself into a mental hospital. From there he meets the other residents and begins on the road to better understanding his illness and how to cope with things. Although each resident has a different version of events leading up to their admittance, ultimately, they are each attempting to cope with life.
I loved the writing and the way the author allows us into the mind of this troubled teenager. Lately, there seem to be an abundance of YA fiction reads dealing with themes of suicide, depression and so on, but this one really stood out because it is so well written.
I felt Ned Vizzini handled the issues of anxiety, depression and suicide with humour and a sense of lightness that made the book so unique. It is such an important read, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Weirdly enough, this is a book about depression, but it’s really not the least bit depressing.
I thought Craig’s thoughts and feelings were portrayed through skilful writing, great character development and a casual tone that made him a likeable and interesting narrator. The relationships he shared with people around him were very interesting and I found it fascinating how quickly he felt at ease around the other residents in the ward, despite struggling to really connect previously with his high school friends. Definitely check this one out if you’re a fan of books such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower or Girl, Interrupted.
The story is written in a clever, self-deprecating tone which makes this such an entertaining read. I liked it as a story about a boy who deals with depression and anxiety, learning to manage it in the most beautiful way.
It’s Kind of A Funny Story can be best described as a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age novel. This is a beloved book about a teenager grappling with suicidal thoughts, written by a wonderful author who sadly took his own life. A memorable and important book to add to your reading list.
Overall reaction: