34 pages 1 hour read

Allie Brosh

Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened

Nonfiction | Graphic Novel/Book | Adult | Published in 2013

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh is a nonfiction adult graphic memoir that humorously and poignantly recounts the author's everyday experiences through standalone chapters featuring her unique illustrations. The book weaves through themes of mental health, childhood adventures, and life with dogs, based on her popular web-comic and enriched with new material. The book touches on the author's struggles with mental illness, including depression and feelings of suicidal ideation.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Hyperbole and a Half by Allie Brosh balances humor and depth with its relatable, quirky illustrations and personal anecdotes. Praised for its raw look at mental health and human experience, it blends comedy with earnestness. Critics note while the book resonates deeply, its style may feel repetitive for some readers. Overall, it's an engaging and poignant read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Hyperbole and a Half?

Readers who enjoy humorous, illustrated memoirs with a touch of raw, emotional honesty will find Hyperbole and a Half captivating. Fans of Jenny Lawson's Let's Pretend This Never Happened or David Sedaris’s Naked will appreciate Allie Brosh's unique, comic storytelling style combined with her candid reflections on life and mental health.

Recommended

Reading Age

15+years

Lexile Level

1040L

Book Details

Genre

Humor

Auto/Biographical Fiction

Biography

Themes

Identity: Mental Health

Life/Time: Childhood & Youth

Relationships: Mothers

Topics

Mental Illness

Depression / Suicide

Animals