It's Kind of a Funny Story

by Ned Vizzini

[clementine]

I first read this book in December 2011, and I had mixed feelings about it. Normally when I reread things I end up liking them more. I felt about the same way after a second read of this one, however.

The thing is that Ned Vizzini isn't actually a particularly good writer. His language is simple, but not exactly in the unobtrusive way that shows a mastery of language. It's just, you know, not terribly sophisticated. It works in this context considering this book is told from the perspective of a fifteen-year-old boy, which makes it easier to hide the technical imperfections, but I think his style could use some refining. (This actually isn't totally fair - I'm reading one of his other books now and it's a lot more obvious there, so this criticism is sort of coming retrospectively. However, it's still true.)

It's a good story, though, and that's what saves it. There's a cast of very colourful characters and a lot of really funny parts that reveal various touching - but not overly sappy - moments. It feels quite realistic despite how over the top most of the personalities are. Craig almost feels irrelevant in parts, because some of the most moving parts don't really involve him as much as the adults he meet. (Bobby's interview, Muqtada finding joy in the Egyptian music.)

I like a snappy, casual writing style, and I think that can help the reader get closer to the narrator, but somehow I felt like I was at an arm's length from Craig for a lot of the book. There was a lot of telling and not enough showing, which I think is especially important in a book with this type of subject matter. A lot of readers won't have firsthand experience with depression - or any mental illness - so it needs to be described more carefully. The Tentacles were a pretty good metaphor that laid the groundwork, but I never quite felt like I was enough inside of Craig's head. It felt very much like a story to me, not like a book I ever truly found myself wrapped up in.

The ending was also a bit too cheesy/idyllic. I know it seems like I've criticized a lot here, but I really do like this book overall. I think it has its share of technical flaws, and it's not a book that I love with all my heart and find myself immersed in, but it has a lot of heart and I would definitely recommend it to people.