Words cannot describe how I feel about this book right now! First of all, I watched this movie back when it came out and it's one of my favorite movies! I'll have to watch it again this weekend and then write a comparison piece for you all, but yeah. I had no idea if the book was going to be that good or not. I was setting my expections very high, but I definitely was not let down!

 

Characters

First off, the characters are amazing. Each one has their own unique personality and I love how quirky some of them are. And just the way the story is, it just works! I love Craig's transformation in the story. I like how he also changes love interests due to him changing. It's kind of awesome! I love how Armelio can't stop playing cards, especially Spades (he'll crush you in Spades) and how Humble always gets himself into trouble. I liked Noelle's character a lot as well.

 

Storyline

The storyline was really good and I like that it was based off of how long the author, Ned Vizzini, actually spent in the adult psychiatric hospital. Apparently about 85 percent of this was true to Vizzini's story. That makes the storyline amazing just with that.

 

Everything Else

I just really liked how honest the story was. It really feels like that at times. Especially the Cycling or more commonly known as the snow-ball effect. You start thinking of what you're doing wrong, how much it will affect your day, your week, your month, your LIFE. I was especially sad though to find out that Vizzini had eventually killed himself in 2013, about 7 years after the book was published. To know that he was battling depression just makes the story so real or at least the feeling behind the writing.

 

Overall, a definite 5-star read! I recommend to anyone and everyone if not just to gain knowledge about depression and other illnesses.

Door alle postieve reviews van mijn goodreads vrienden heb ik besloten dit boek te lezen, maar ik was eerlijk gezegd teleurgesteld..
De psychiatrische kliniek leek wel een 4 sterren hotel, ik bedoel.. een rookruimte, pokeravonden, en Craig die een flinke make-out sessie had met maar liefst 2 meisjes in 5 dagen?! En na die 5 dagen in de kliniek heeft Craig het licht gezien, en lijkt alles weer positief?
Ik waardeer dat Ned Vizzini depressie bespreekbaar wil maken, maar Craigs depressie lijkt wel een sprookje..

(Overigens wel 3 sterren omdat het begin wel leuk was, de schrijfstijl vond ik ook fijn, en de patiënten waren wel leuk om over te lezen)

 Synopsis: Like many ambitious New York City teenagers, Craig Gilner sees entry into Manhattan's Executive Pre-Professional High School as the ticket to his future. Determined to succeed at life-which means getting into the right high school to get into the right college to get the right job-Craig studies night and day to ace the entrance exam, and does. That's when things start to get crazy.

At his new school, Craig realizes that he isn't brilliant compared to the other kids; he's just average, and maybe not even that. He soon sees his once-perfect future crumbling away. The stress becomes unbearable and Craig 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 neighbors include a transsexual sex addict, a girl who has scarred her own face with scissors, and the self-elected President Armelio. There, isolated from the crushing pressures of school and friends, Craig is finally able to confront the sources of his anxiety.

Ned Vizzini, who himself spent time in a psychiatric hospital, has created a remarkably moving tale about the sometimes unexpected road to happiness. For a novel about depression, it's definitely a funny story.

 

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

 

My Opinion: I loved this book. It made me literally laugh out loud. This book will open your mind about how people are effected by depression and suicidal thoughts and will make you want to know more. Ned Vizzini actually spent time in psychiatric hospital and his representation of it in this book I'm sure is spot on. This book is not the least bit depressing and it taught me the importance of human life.

 

Would I recommend?: Absolutely yes

 

Stand Alone or Series?: Stand Alone

 

Is There a Movie?: Yes It's Kind of a Funny Story Movie IMDB

 

Trailer: Click Here

 

Summary:

Ambitious New York City teenager Craig Gilner is determined to succeed at life - which means getting into the right high school to get into 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 neighbors 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, has created a remarkably moving tale about the sometimes unexpected road to happiness.

 

My opinion:

This book was so good! (so I gave it 5 stars, of course!) I was hooked from the beginning 'till the end. If you're feeling down a little bit, this books makes you excited about life again. You go through Craig's story, but it feels like you can learn from it as well.

 

I wanted to watch the movie as well, but there were so many differences in the first 8 minutes that I stopped watching. I'm not sure if I'm going to finish it though..

 

Do you recommend the movie?

I love how truthful this book is in shedding light on how some people cope with mental illness. It avoids over-dramatizing and glamorizing anxiety and depression, which I’ve noticed many books tend to do. There is a lot of humor, but it still communicates how serious these issues are.

Craig's relationships with the other characters seem a bit rushed at times. As with most YA fiction, I assumed that a cheesy romantic subplot was ahead, which it was. But it was bearable and actually kind of cute. I don't say things like this often.

Following Craig through his roller coaster of a week in a psychiatric hospital is ultimately a unique and mostly uplifting experience. Ned Vizzini was a great writer. I am glad that he lives on, in a sense, through his books.