Review: Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh

Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened by Allie Brosh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I didn't think I'd be able to review this book until next year, at the earliest. But a friend bought me some things off my Amazon wish list, and this was one of the things she sent me. As soon as I got over my astonishment and delight, I dug in.

The book's tone and content will be no surprise to Hyperbole and a Half readers. As with The Bloggess's book, this reuses some of the content of the blog. Though, having it in a full-color volume you can lend your friends is a definite plus, whereas with Jenny's book people might've been more irritated that you were making them read.

Allie Brosh has been open about her struggles with depression, and a chunk of the book is taken up by her famous posts about it. The book is far from depressing, though; she puts a creative spin on mental illness, explaining it in a way that both encapsulates the experience, and makes you laugh.

Another portion of the book is about her dogs. One of them is so stupid it's mind-boggling, while the other has no problems taking advantage of it, though she has neuroses of her own. The story of her cross-country move was on the blog, but she adds several anecdotes we haven't heard yet.

Another portion of the book is her strange childhood. I recognized the stories about dental surgery and a birthday party, her grandfather's cake, and about a dinosaur Halloween costume. Again, there are several new stories, as well.

Anyone wanting to read about what happened to the goose that got into her apartment will definitely want to pick this up. It's as hilarious as you imagined.

Overall, I think the book was 2/3rds stories that were already published on her blog, and a third new content. The stories aren't organized in any particular order, and the book isn't much of a cohesive whole. I was disappointed that the alot didn't make it in. But, it is vastly entertaining, and an excellent way to show your family and friends why you so enjoy a blog full of badly illustrated stories.

I am immensely grateful to my friend for getting me this as an early Christmas gift.


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