What seems like an eternity ago, but was actually just 12 years ago, I was utterly enthralled by Allie Brosh's blog-turned-Internet-comic-strip-turned-(eventually)-book, Hyperbole and a Half.
I read it eagerly, re-read it even more eagerly, raved about it to colleagues, friends, family, went back months later to re-read parts even again. And when it became a book, read that, too.
I couldn't wait for her to write more.
Then: nothing.
Years passed, a decade passed, I had completely forgotten about her work when up popped a notice somewhere saying that I could order her new book: Solutions and Other Problems.
So, naturally, I did. And, just at the holidays, it arrived.
Putting aside at least half a dozen other books that were ahead of it on the stack, I flew through Solutions and Other Problems like someone possessed.
So, what can I tell you?
Firstly, this is a heavy book.
I mean literally it is heavy! It is over 500 pages, printed on beautiful heavy glossy paper, to highlight Brosh's continually fascinating artwork, and the book must weigh at least 3 pounds.
But also, and more importantly, this is a heavy book.
A quick survey of some of the topics covered by the stories in Solutions and Other Problems:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stalking
- Loneliness
- Self-image
- Divorce
- Death
Uh, yeah, really.
The thing is, I can't really think of anyone else who could pull this off like Brosh does. When I search for words to describe what she's done in her art, I come up with words like: clarity, honesty, truth, vision, insight.
This is probably not the sort of book to read on a dark, gray, rainy day.
Or maybe it is? After all, I did, and I loved it!
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