Review: It's Kind of a Funny Story

It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Genre: YA Fiction

Pages: 444

Publication Date: 2006

Rating: 5/5

Summary:

            Craig Gilner is an ambitious student who has just gotten into one of New York City’s top high schools, Manhattan’s Executive Pre-Professional High School. This turns out to be the highest point of his life, after that is all downhill. He stops sleeping, can’t eat, and almost kills himself.  He checks himself into a mental hospital where he meets a cast of unique, quirky characters that include a girl who scarred her face with scissors, a transsexual sex addict, and a reclusive Egyptian. It is here that Craig must figure out how to deal with his depression in a healthy way. 

Pros:

·       This is one of the first Young Adult books that deals with mental illness in a way that does not seem to glorify it.

·       The author, in my experience, accurately nailed the symptoms of anxiety.

·       The main character learns to deal with his depression in a healthy way, but also acknowledges that this is not a cure, it is going to be an on-going process.

Cons:

·       The only downside is that I didn’t find this book years ago!

Final Thoughts:

            This is such an amazing book. I only recently heard of it; I can’t believe it has been out for so long and I never read it before. Definitely pick up a copy of this book!