Hyperbole and a Half
Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened
Ratings222
Average rating4.2
This is one of the best graphic memoirs I've ever read and I appreciate the humor while I was reading.
It's the case where the e-reader suffers in comparison to the physical book. It's no doubt a delight to have these crudely rendered digital line drawings reproduced on paper but on the e-reader it felt like I was just rooting through her blog archives. In fact many of the stories are pulled straight from her blog.
Like any blog it's hits and misses. There are entries that made me laugh out loud and others that felt self-indulgent or in need of a good editor. I'm still surprised at the level of expression Allie Brosh manages with these crudely rendered stick figures. She nails dogs, wild eyed, over stimulated crazy children and slack-jawed adults armed only with Microsoft Paint or similar program. Like many a graphic novel, it's worth it for the art.
I have a special affinity towards people/books/shows/films which make me laugh at the horrible human experience, while at the same time, allowing me to introspect and be amazed at how clear and precise their understanding of the self has been. It's the reason I adore watching a horse whine about how selfish and pathetic he is in Bojack Horseman, or to see Rick treat those he love in a shitty way in a misguided attempt at feeling less alone in Rick and Morty.
In short, I love self-deprecating humor and this book had a lot of it. A lot!
Favorite chapters: Depression and Identity - parts 1 and 2.
The stories are still hilarious, but I was disappointed how many of them were straight from the blog. I feel like people buying this book were already fans of the blog, looking for new material, especially because she never updates her blog anymore.
Heartwarming and uplifting. Somehow this book makes you feel a little bit better about yourself. I remember reading it a few years back and I'd like to revisit. Full of silly stories and small laughs. The drawing style may not appeal to everyone but that's just how it is, I enjoyed the stories anyway.
If you need a good laugh, read this book! The insane descriptions of her dogs were enough to get me going, but her childhood recollection of the walk in the woods with her mom and sister did me in. What I like most about this author is that she knows her limits. She knows where her stumbling blocks are, looks at them, and then just kind of shuffles around them. One of my favorite quotes: “I am incensed that reality has the audacity to do some of the things it does when I clearly don't want those things to happen...” It's like you read my mind, Allie. Like you read my mind!