Brosh Books

Guest Review by Jane Burns

This review is for both of Allie Brosh’s books: Hyperbole and a Half and Problems and Other Solutions. Both books are engaging, wild and super funny. Not really adjectives you would associate with books about depression.  Solutions and other Problems has a 7-year gap between publication of her first book Hyperbole and a Half and if you were in any doubt as what Allie Brosh was doing in that period well it appears she was creating more amazing content and perspective.

Hyperbole and a Half

The publication of Allie Brosh’s recent book Solutions and Other Problems (reviewed below) sent me back to re-read her first book Hyperbole and a Half so this is an accompanying review of that book.

When I first picked up Hyperbole and a Half, I mistakenly thought it was a children’s book due to the almost childlike drawings throughout. However, what I realised very quickly was these drawings are intended not be reflective of the author’s impression of themselves. These are so engaging and funny that I actually read this book twice. First round was to read all the text and images, second just the images. The second round of concentration on the imagery created a profound experience for me-a level of connectiveness that is rare.

Hyperbole and Half is an autobiographical text and images story with many pieces from her blog http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/. Allie Brosh takes us on her journey of depression, the struggles of everyday life and use of humour to face things and push on.  All the while cognizant that life can be very hard sometimes. Her reflections and expressions of her own experiences with depression are bittersweet. Her characters minimally drawn convey such expressiveness, even with just a slightly crooked smile. Even though this book is dealing with depression it has to be one of funniest books I have ever read.  The story of her being attacked by a Goose made me laugh so hard.  I keep this story in my reserve tank when I have a tough day just thinking of it makes me feel so much better. The chapter entitled This is why I’ll never be an Adult really hit home for me. The setting of goals and trying to achieve them can be impacted on how I am feeling; if I am feeling positive, they are exciting and self-affirming; if I am feeling negative, they can be a torturous burden.  Allie Brosh captures these fluctuations on the role mental health can play in dealing with everyday  ordinary things.

Brosh’s creative ability to take tragedy, sadness and depression and create such a hilarious book is incredible.

Solutions and Other Problems

Solutions and Other Problems has Brosh’s unique, crude and engaging images. The self-portraits seem to be able to catch so many facial expressions and complex emotions that at times it is easy to forget that you aren’t looking at a real person but rather an exaggerated comic character.

There are 25 mini stories within this book and each of them as engaging and funny as the next.  But this where Brosh’s genius really unfolds, it is in the underlying story that the reader is exposed to emotional perceptions and situations with the predominant subject being depression.

Reflecting inwards about her feeling of being depressed, confused or out of control provide an engaging insight to the mind and the workings of this author.  What is so fantastic about his book is that we also get to see how problem-solving works and is adapted when depression is in the mix. I love the mini story approach. Each story is capable of standing on its own but Brosh has woven them together masterfully, I just kept hoping there would be more. From the Kangaroo Pig Gets Drunk to Poop Mystery, these stories kept me engaged.

Along with the fantastic narrative, Brosh has included over a thousand images. These are all just beautiful and in full colour. The images help tell the stories in multiple levels which makes the experience even that more pleasurable.

The seven-year hiatus from publishing Hyperbole and Half has in many ways allowed Brosh to have a more matured reflection on the impact of her own life. There are  some heart-breaking personal tragedies where she can see the impact of these life events on her mental health. Rather than accepting the pain and struggle of depression she now demonstrates more of the back story that has impacted on her mental health.  Her approach is still funny, but the humour is now more deftly presented as a way to manage the pain. The time between publications in some ways has provided Brosh time to know and trust her audience so that she can reveal herself with confidence.

A wonderful book to read if you have ever dealt with depression or cared for someone who has. It will give some very good insights into perceptions, limitations and opportunities.

Check out Allie Brosh’s blog for more of her work and ideas http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/

Jane Burns is an Academic Manager in Ireland who is currently pursuing a PhD in Education at Dublin City University researching the Role of Graphic Medicine. @JMBurns99