Medium Book Review

It's All Absolutely Fine: Life Is Complicated So I've Drawn It Instead

Age Range: Adult

Pub date: January 31, 2017

Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing

Page count: 256p

Genre: Nonfiction

Ruby Elliot’s graphic novel, It's All Absolutely Fine: Life Is Complicated So I've Drawn It Instead, is rich with humor, honesty and emotion. Elliot provides “simple” depictions of how she has viewed life as someone with mental illnesses. While the pictures may leave something to be desired, they provide the emotion Elliot is trying to convey. Elliot describes her life when dealing with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, etc. Though this may sound like a depressing read, it is actually quite funny if you are in the right frame of mind. Those who struggle with similar mental illnesses will find a “friend” in Elliot’s depictions and descriptions of her own struggles. This is an easy-to-read novel that will allow those without a personal connection to mental illness insight into the lives of those who do. Among the drawings are short written explanations of how Elliot dealt with these obstacles in life. And while she describes herself as a potato at times, her thoughts are incredibly insightful.

I particularly enjoyed this book because it was easy to connect to on a personal level. It also helped me to understand some mental illnesses that I have not dealt with on my own such as bipolar depression and eating disorders. I feel that this book is a window into the mind of someone struggling with mental illness. Although the topic is serious, it had me laughing at most every page. If you are interested in better understanding someone close to you struggling with mental illness this book would give you incredible insight. If you struggle with mental illnesses yourself, like many of us do, you will see that you are not alone and that your feelings are valid.