Reviewed by Leigha on
Creative and profound, Eliza and Her Monsters is a quick, mesmerizing read. Eliza, the main character, is a talented artist dealing with anxiety and depression. She discovers a way to self medicate – with an online alter ego and web comic – until her identity is accidentally stripped away. Personally, I highly recommend reading this book in print. Clips of Eliza’s web comic and online life are interspersed throughout the story. I’m not sure the audio or eBook versions could do it justice.
This story does not shy away from showing the realities of mental illness, which is truly appreciated. More books need to illustrate the struggles and fears people with mental health issues deal with on a regular basis. Relationships are important to the story too. Not just the relationships you create with others, but the ones you create with yourself. While Eliza finds it challenging to open up to the other characters in the novel, it’s ultimately coming to terms with herself that is the biggest hurdle.
tl;dr A well-written novel focusing on mental illness in a creative, yet realistic, way.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 19 December, 2017: Finished reading
- 19 December, 2017: Reviewed