It's Kind Of A Funny Story

[Emmybuddy]

I was first drawn to this book because it's a lot similar to 'Perks Of Being A Wallflower' which pulls your heart strings just as much as It's Kind Of A Funny Story. Ned Vizzini does an amazing job of writing about an average teenager in ways we all like to keep secret. It discusses suicide, sex, drugs and many more, but most importantly it doesn't glamorize the subjects either.

Like many teenagers Craig is getting stressed out about school, friends and his family on his back. Noone seems to understand that there's anything wrong and treats 'depression' as a joke. One night he has suicidal thoughts but luckily he calls the suicide hotline which suggests to go to the local emergency room. He gives his family a shock when he has to be checked into a mental health hospital, however there's a catch, the children's ward is closed, so if he wants to stay in, he is forced to stay alongside the adults in the mental health ward.

Being 17 and reading this book, I could relate to the characters and naturally I cried at the start when Craig was going through all this alone, but reading on, you realise how the story is going to go. It's not predictable at all, but you can begin to see a light at the end of the tunnel for Craig. This book really does open you're eyes on society today, going through emotional times myself I understand this book fully. If just a bit of pressure can put you into a situation where a teenage would feel as though they feel suicidal, then I would hate to think what added pressure of family and friends can put on someone's shoulders.

All in all, it's a very eye opening and very interesting book. If I were you I would give it a read, you will have a whole different look on life after it.