Book Discussion – It’s Kind of a Funny Story

Author: Ned Vizzini

Genre: Young Adult, Fiction

Pages: 444

Publisher: Hyperion, an imprint of Disney Book Group

Synopsis

Craig Gilner’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. (Synopsis from goodreads.)

My Thoughts

Ned Vizzini’s writing is so straightforward and simple and yet so moving. This book had me emotionally involved from the very first page, and I wanted Craig to be okay SO BAD that I cried like a baby when he had his suicidal episode at the beginning.

I honestly took a break to just

It means she’ll see me sinking and failing. She reacts well to this. She does more schoolwork and has more fun. She doesn’t want to end up like me. At least I’m giving someone an example not to follow.

I loved the little hospital ”family”. Each of them had something unique and crazy about them. But I also liked Johnny’s warning when Craig was asking for everyone’s phone number. Just like the shrink’s advice to not choose people as your Anchor. People change. Some of them come and go. I really think you need an Anchor of your own, that nobody can take away from you. What do you guys think?

I also love how this book makes you realize so many people have anxiety, depression, and all other kinds of shit going on in their life. Things that make us feel so alone, when really, we’re not.

Everybody has problems. Some people just hide their crap better than others.

My favorite scene was definitely the one when Craig draws the map of everyone’s brain on his last day at the hospital, how he manages to get a clear idea of what’s going on in everyone’s head. It’s weird to think that I have no idea what my brainmap would look like.

That last chapter was perfection to my eyes. It made me want to live more. Which is probably the greatest feat a book could ever accomplish, and I just cannot get over the fact that the author of this beautiful, beautiful novel took his own life. It makes me want to share this book to everybody who hasn’t read it yet, and hope it helps someone going through similar problems.

Did you like this novel? (I give it 5 stars, no hesitation.)

Do you have a favorite character? (So many great ones to choose from! But I think mine is President Armelio. I would love to play cards with President Armelio.)

Do you guys have an Anchor? (Mine’s definitely writing.)

Let me know what you thought in the comments!