It's Kind of a Funny Story

Feb 27, 2012 Meg ♥ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: e-books, z-2011-reads, books-2-movies, favs

I came across this movie the other day on TV and watched it. I didn't think the movie was great or anything, but I thought the idea of the story was interesting. So I decided to give the book a try. I loved this book. It is about teens and it discusses suicide, sex, drugs and more, but it is a great book with an important message. Sometimes you have to get all the way to the bottom of the barrel before you can get back to the top.

Craig is like a lot of teens nowadays. Overly stressed out. He is...more
I came across this movie the other day on TV and watched it. I didn't think the movie was great or anything, but I thought the idea of the story was interesting. So I decided to give the book a try. I loved this book. It is about teens and it discusses suicide, sex, drugs and more, but it is a great book with an important message. Sometimes you have to get all the way to the bottom of the barrel before you can get back to the top.

Craig is like a lot of teens nowadays. Overly stressed out. He is very smart and has a seemingly bright future ahead of him until he decides that being a teenager is simply too much to handle and he contemplated just how easy it would be to commit suicide. Luckily, instead, he calls a suicide hotline, but then he shocks his family when he checks himself into a mental hospital. Only problem is that the teen ward is closed down so he is forced to live with the adult patients and meets an interesting group of people.

This was a very touching story and one that everyone who has ever had depression can probably relate to even if just a small amount. It's an inspiring story, because it shows that there are ways to get help. The self discovery that Craig goes through is amazing. He learns that no matter how bad you think your life is, there is always someone worse off. Of course we all know that, but we may forget it sometimes, especially when we are at our low points and throwing ourselves pity parties thinking things couldn't be worse.

The characters were all well written, and I really feel the fact that the author had been in a mental hospital before showed through the vivid descriptions of the place and types of people you may see there. I'm not sure why, but I feel like the fact that he is a now successful person and openly admits that he had a stay in a mental hospital makes this book stand out to me in comparison to most other YA books that deal with mental illness. It's one thing to write about these things even having well researched the subject, but it's entirely different writing about them after experiencing them firsthand.

Also, I thought the writing in general was good. I love when an author can write about such a sad subject, but make humor shine throughout. This book is about suicide, but it's not depressing. I laughed a few times as well. The only parts I didn't enjoy were the romantic ones. It seemed totally contrived. The chances of two teens put into an adult ward and falling in love are just so bad.

The best part about this story was Craig's upbringing. This wasn't the typical suicide story where they kid had it rough, and in the end couldn't take it. He had a great family with supportive parents and a beautiful little sister. He was quite privileged, and I'm glad that author was able to show that mental illness does not discriminate. Even the most together person in the world can suddenly become depressed and the stigma attached to mental illness is something that infuriates me.

Even though this book was made into a movie it doesn't seem too popular so maybe I'm in the minority. Maybe it just isn't well marketed. I have no idea, but I would recommend this book for sure.(less)

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May 06, 2008 Jennifer Wardrip rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: trt-posted-reviews, jens-personal-read

Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com

Ned Vizzini has a distinct advantage over other authors who write about teen depression, attempted suicide, and the ins and outs of psychiatry--as a teen he was clinically depressed and even spent time in a psychiatric hospital. That experience has allowed Mr. Vizzini to bring to life the kinds of situations that were once largely absent in teen fiction; that of the fact that not all teens are happy, spontaneous, happy-go-lucky youths.

For Craig Gilner, gaining...more Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com

Ned Vizzini has a distinct advantage over other authors who write about teen depression, attempted suicide, and the ins and outs of psychiatry--as a teen he was clinically depressed and even spent time in a psychiatric hospital. That experience has allowed Mr. Vizzini to bring to life the kinds of situations that were once largely absent in teen fiction; that of the fact that not all teens are happy, spontaneous, happy-go-lucky youths.

For Craig Gilner, gaining acceptance into the elite Executive Pre-Professional High School in Manhattan is not the end of his problems, but only the beginning. All the studying, the cramming, the all-nighters he pulled to get high marks in his old high school and ace his entrance exam now seem mediocre, at best, at his new school. Craig realizes quite early on that he's not brilliant, he's not at the top of his class--he is, in fact, average. For a guy who worked as hard as Craig did, with such obsessive determination, this is a blow not just to his ego, but to his very soul.

Craig soon finds himself unable to eat, unable to sleep, unable to find joy in just about everything. As he realizes he's clinically depressed, he tells his shrink--excuse me, psychiatrist--that his only joy in life comes from peeing. Yes, peeing. You go in, you get it done, you accomplish what you set out to do, and you're finished. It's pretty sad that going to the bathroom seems to be the highlight of his day (he even manages to stretch each trip out to about five minutes), but it's also the truth.

Dr. Minerva, for $120/hour, is attempting to help Craig figure out exactly why he's depressed and how to overcome it. But Craig no longer thrives on a life of complexity; for him, life is a nightmare. And as his depression leads to thoughts of suicide, he's not even surprised to find that there's an 800 number he can call. And after taking the plunge and calling 1-800-SUICIDE Craig hikes over to the local emergency room at the hospital, where he meets Dr. Mahmoud (who is not a terrorist).

From there, Craig is checked into a psychiatric hospital, and he meets a motley crew of patients who, amazingly enough, become better friends to him than the ones he had before he went in ever were. For Craig, being in the hospital might just save not only his life, but his sanity and his will to keep on keeping on.

IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY is a great read. Filled with issues that plague a large number of teens today, the author has managed to take sensitive topics and deal with them in a humorous way that never seems disrespectful. A very enjoyable, thought-provoking read. (less)

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Mar 16, 2012 Richard rated it 2 of 5 stars

Rating: 2* of five (p99)

Do you know what? It's NOT kind of funny! It's kind of irritating, and it's kind of stupid, and it's kind of droningly dull!

I do not ever, ever, ever want to read another syllable about a suicidal adolescent. EV. ER. I will cheerfully curse with boils and frigidity the next person who dares even *suggest* I read another word of adolescent angst.

Author Vizzini has talent, no doubt about it. I wish he'd write something that had no teenagers in it. I am sick of stories about...more

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Jun 15, 2009 Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: gmba, the-kids-are-all-right

Young Adult books seem to have a few formulas: divorce, unrequited love, death of a parent, self-transformation, and as of late... vampires. Oh... and angst. Usually always angst. Sometimes these can be written quite loverly. As with the few that have been jostled around GR lately,Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Book Thief ,I Am the Messenger ... These authors will come along and break, twist, switch it up...make.you.think. And manage to rise above the whole stigma of what it means to b...more

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Jul 20, 2010 Greg rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, books-for-kids

A Synoptic Version of a Review Written but then Deleted. Accidentally

This is a book about a kid who thinks about killing himself but doesn't. It is edgy; I mean that there is sex and f-bombs in the book. The characters do drugs too. Kids will like that, some parents will get their closed little minds into a fucking tangle over it.

I wrote a whole review and then accidentally refreshed the page and lost it.

Oh well. I'm not even going to try to re-write what I had written. Your lose. You missed a...more A Synoptic Version of a Review Written but then Deleted. Accidentally

This is a book about a kid who thinks about killing himself but doesn't. It is edgy; I mean that there is sex and f-bombs in the book. The characters do drugs too. Kids will like that, some parents will get their closed little minds into a fucking tangle over it.

I wrote a whole review and then accidentally refreshed the page and lost it.

Oh well. I'm not even going to try to re-write what I had written. Your lose. You missed a book report. You also missed me talking about myself in ninth grade and how I related to this passage:

"How long have you had feelings like that, Craig?"
"Since last year, mostly."
"What about before then?"
"Well... I've had them for years. Just less intense. I thought they were, you know, just part of growing up."
"Suicidal feelings."
I nodded.
Dr. Barney stared at me, his lips puckered. What was he so serious about? Who hasn't thought about killing themselves, as a kid? How can you grow up in this world and not think about it? It's an option taken by a lot of successful people: Ernest Hemingway, Socrates, Jesus. Even before high school, I thought it would be a cool thing to do if I ever got really famous."

I also talked a bit about the kids in Bergenfield, New Jersey who in 1987 killed themselves. This was one town over from where I lived at the time. I didn't add a link to the song "New Jersey Exit" by Alice Donut because I couldn't find a version of it online. It is a wonderful song though about an event that deeply affected my childhood. You should listen to it. And other Alice Donut songs because they are really good. The lyrics to the song I was going to link to are as follows:

Yeah, Due to acne.
Due to heavy metal.
Due to Fred and Barney, Wilma and Pebbles.
New Jersey Exit
Suzy's got the flu.
Well, maybe this will clear up her sinuses
She's got nothing better to do.

You're kids are having a gas
(in the garage)(3X)
Hah, Hah, Hah, Hah, Hah!

Daddy comes home
To the kiddie circus.
Charlie, get out of that car.
Sorry, Daddy got rigor mortis.

You're kids are having a gas
(in the garage)(3X)
Hah, Hah, Hah, Hah, Hah!

(What's the use, anyway?)

If something's pretty much dead,
you might as well shoot it.
What will this do to car insurance?
How 'bout the family unit?
Seven at a time
Death extravaganza
Little Joe and Hoss
Never did this on Bonanza

You're kids are having a gas
(in the garage)(3X)
Hah, Hah, Hah, Hah, Hah!

You're kids are having a gas
(in the garage)(2X)
You're kids are getting gassed

That is where I was at when I erased the fucking thing. (less)

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Oct 17, 2011 rachel rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: from-library, ya, 2011

The plot of this book -- teenage boy admitted to mental hospital for five days to treat anxiety/depression -- is super close to my heart and I wanted to love it, but the execution reminds me way too much of John Green. Those of you who love John Green: this is a recommendation! But personally, there are few types of characters that annoy me more than the dorky boy whose main ambition* is to touch the inside of a girl's vagina (and who eventually does, because he's a dork but not SUCH a dork that...more

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Mar 27, 2012 Marco Tamborrino rated it 4 of 5 stars

"I'm going to be here until I'm cured?"
"Life is not cured, Mr. Gilner. Life is managed".

Vediamo un po'. In Italia, Moccia a parte, il romanziere acclamato che scrive per adolescenti e viene invitato a parlare nelle scuole è d'Avenia. Tizio che non ha fatto altro che prendere una storia vera sentita da supplente e trasformarla in un libricciolo per gente stupida. Adolescenti stupidi. L'America, oltre a Chbosy e al suo The perks of being a wallflower, ha anche Ned Vizzini. Ned Vizzini ha veramente...more "I'm going to be here until I'm cured?"
"Life is not cured, Mr. Gilner. Life is managed".

Vediamo un po'. In Italia, Moccia a parte, il romanziere acclamato che scrive per adolescenti e viene invitato a parlare nelle scuole è d'Avenia. Tizio che non ha fatto altro che prendere una storia vera sentita da supplente e trasformarla in un libricciolo per gente stupida. Adolescenti stupidi. L'America, oltre a Chbosy e al suo The perks of being a wallflower, ha anche Ned Vizzini. Ned Vizzini ha veramente vissuto cinque giorni in un ospedale psichiatrico. Su questa esperienza ci ha ricamato una storiella molto caruccia per i ragazzi. Una storiella con una base triste (ragazzo malato di depressione), ma con un percorso che vuole solo farci capire quant'è importante scegliere di vivere la propria vita.

È chiaramente impossibile trovare in un ospedale psichiatrico tutto ciò che non si è riusciti a trovare nella vita. Gli amici, l'amore. La propria vocazione professionale. Infatti non credo nel realismo di questo libro (e del rispettivo film che ho visto prima), credo nel suo messaggio. E il messaggio è: anche se fuori c'è un mondo e una realtà con cui non riusciamo a fare i conti, dobbiamo almeno provare a superare questa barriera, perché dopo non vorremo più smettere di vivere. Vivere e tutti quegli altri verbi che facciamo nostri quando decidiamo di non buttarci dal ponte di Brooklyn. Magari avremo bisogno di un aiuto per farcela. Ma non dobbiamo rifiutare l'aiuto degli altri. Non bisogna sempre pensare che lo facciano per compassione. A volte vogliono davvero aiutarci.

Comunque, detto ciò, Craig e Noelle sono tenerissimi. Vero, sono influenzato dal fatto che al posto di Noelle io vedo Emma Roberts, ma c'entra poco. Noelle è una grande figa ed è anche dolcissima.

I hug her one more time and pull her down to the bed. And in my mind, I rise up from bed and look down on us, and look down at everybody else in this ospital who might have the good fortune of holding a pretty girl right now, and then at the entire Brooklyn block, and then the neighborhood, and then Brooklyn, and then New York City, and then the whole Tri-State Area, and then this little corner of America - with laser eyes I can see into every house - and then the whole country and the hemisphere and now the whole stupid world, everyone in every bed, couch, futon, chair, hammock, love seat, and then, everyone kissing or touching each other... and I know that I'm the happiest of all of them.

Questo libro è intenso perché è umano. Perché è composto dai nostri problemi e da una soluzione metaforica e divertente, facendoci sì riflettere, ma anche ridere sopra. È sempre una buona cosa.

Durante la narrazione ricorre spesso il tema del successo, in particolare quello voluto dalla famiglia. Su tantissimi ragazzi e ragazze, sia in America che in Italia - ma soprattutto in America -, viene esercitata una pressione fortissima da parte dei genitori nei confronti dei loro figli, affinché abbiano sempre successo in tutto nella vita. E questi ragazzi, essendo stati cresciuti così, non riescono nemmeno ad andare d'accordo con il pensiero che i genitori potrebbero rimanere delusi dalle loro performance. In questo modo il mondo di fuori non fa che apparirci ancora più ostile.

"And I didn't want to be part of it," she says. "I didn't want to be part of that world."
I grab her leaning into me, feel for the first time the soft dimple of her body. "Me neither."
She puts her arms around me and we hold each other like that from two chairs, like a house constructed over them, and I don't move my hands at all and neither does she.

Insomma, questo è il livello medio dei romanzi adolescenziali in America. Nessuno vuole essere il nuovo Holden. Alla fine i temi trattati sono sempre quelli. Però si respira aria di verità. Si vede che gli adoelscenti sono diversi da come a volte vengono descritti. E guai a sottovalutare i loro problemi. Perché quella che per un adulto può essere una cotta adolescenziale, per un ragazzo più essere una ragione di vita o giù di lì. Capito?
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Oct 27, 2012 Alyssa rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of An Abundance of Katherines.

Shelves: 2012-read, a-guy-of-ya, apparently-hipster, contemporary, emotional, highly-anticipated, i-love-this-cover, really-excited-for, reccomended, confused-feelings, only-okay, not-even-okay, get-with-library, surprised-me, what-a-weird-book, ya-romance

I’m just going to put this out there, in case you have the preconceived notion - like I did - that this book is supposed to be a hilarious, slap-knee comedy about being a depressed teenager on the brink of suicide: this book really isn’t that funny, and I seriously wish it hadn’t been so desperate to be.

To an extent, this book is enjoyable, even credible. Within the first 100 pages of this book, the MC-underdog ~~Greg Heffley~~ Craig Gilner won my heart with his realistic voice, and the portrayal o...more I’m just going to put this out there, in case you have the preconceived notion - like I did - that this book is supposed to be a hilarious, slap-knee comedy about being a depressed teenager on the brink of suicide: this book really isn’t that funny, and I seriously wish it hadn’t been so desperate to be.

To an extent, this book is enjoyable, even credible. Within the first 100 pages of this book, the MC-underdog ~~Greg Heffley~~ Craig Gilner won my heart with his realistic voice, and the portrayal of his suffering, which evoked much empathy. I honestly felt pretty confident that I was bound to adding IKOAFS to my favourites list. In fact, for a while, I thought that literature had a new Holden Caufield to marvel over.

Craig’s therapist: “What happened when you woke up?"
Craig: "I was having a dream. I don’t know what it was, but when I woke up, I had this awful realization that I was awake. It hit me like a brick in the groin."
CT: "Like a brick in the groin, I see."
C: "I didn't want to wake up. I was having a much better time asleep. And that's really sad. It was almost like a reverse nightmare, like when you wake up from a nightmare you're so relieved. I woke up into a nightmare."
CT: "And what is that nightmare, Craig?"
C: "Life."
CT: "Life is a nightmare."
C: "Yes.”

You see what I mean? What sucks is that once Craig booked himself into the hospital for rehab, most of his authentic qualities flew right out the window. What began as a mostly-serious/moderately-playful book changed too quickly to revolve around a boy who forgot all about his very life-altering problems because people made him eat every meal, empathized with him, and because a pretty girl paid attention. The book felt forcefully light; instead of focusing on the depression that is taking over Craig’s life, the final 75% of the book centers on the relationships Craig has and makes, and seems to leave the biggest, heaviest, most important part of the story behind to give way to not-so-funny one-liners and bad, bad jokes. I appreciate that Vizzini recognizes that depression is often a hard subject to take, and that entertainment is a great tool to lighten the mood, but I was extremely put-off by the flippant way he treated such a serious topic, and also how he alienated his MC ‘s voice, making everything within the first quarter of the book seem like some big scam. It should also be said that the last 50 pages of the book are basically one huge lecture given by preachy doctors and even Craig himself, and that the resolution (view spoiler) leaves much to be desired.

Aside from the too-tidy way Craig’s story was handled, Vizinni’s writing isn’t very tight - not only did slang take over nearly every conversation, but basic sentences seemed off-beat and awkwardly phrased. What also provided some eyebrow-raising was the depiction of Craig’s love interests. Neither Nia nor Noelle’s relationships with Craig were developed, nor were they based on anything else than lust, and it was really hard to enjoy any scenes featuring either girl. Every single relationship Craig made in this book seemed shallow as a puddle, though fortunately there was no DPS going on.

I don’t think I’ll be reading any more Ned Vizzini, despite how much promise the beginning of this book held. Something about his writing style has really, really grated on me, to the point where I could hardly help myself from giving up on this book. Maybe it's me being over-critical, or the fact that I know first-hand about depression and that I don't, in any way, think there's anything funny about it, but there's something about this book that has very seriously rubbed me the wrong way, whatever its source may be. Still, IKOAFS is a pretty popular reading choice amongst teens – so much so that it’s even been adapted into a movie – so I wouldn’t say not to give it a chance, since you might feel differently than I do.

2/5 stars
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Momo It's weird because I got a completely different feeling from it because Craig as a character talks about how he isn't all neatly fixed, how life isn't...more It's weird because I got a completely different feeling from it because Craig as a character talks about how he isn't all neatly fixed, how life isn't "fixable", he worries about how things will be on the outside, he even talks about how being "inside" is sort of like a microcosm and he fully admits and focuses on the fact that he may only feel more secure simply because he's inside. There's one part after he talks to Dr Minerva that even says the more he didn't think about going home, the better he felt. I don't think he was shying away from the reality of his condition at all. As it is with Johnny and Bobby, when they said they didn't want to exchange info because outside, it would be different. I think the author talked about that quite a lot and it was handled very well, just as a person "inside" would be thinking of it. Craig knows that things won'tbe perfect and that's what the entire last page really tells you: he's a work in progress, and he's ready to take part in that work where as before he didn't have the ability to want to be part of living. Even with Nia he was aware that his relationship with her was based on his lust, and he's 15 so that's pretty much true for many or most teens. He even says it to her: I like making out with you more than I like you as a person. I mean ow. That's harsh but so TRUE. With Noelle, he didn't feel that way about her -- there isn't supposed to be a huge deep relationship there and there isn't but you get the feeling that it will develop. They're infatuated with each other and they've only known each other for 5 days. How close could they have become? I think again, it's much more realistic and maybe you're looking for something less real and more fantasy like in a lot of novels (like in Twilight where Bella and Edward are sworn to love each other no matter what the second they lay eyes on each other.) I found Craig changed but he was also somewhat the same -- and that's again true to it being only FIVE DAYS in the hospital. It was enough for a Shift but he has so much work to still do. I thought it was a really good book and pretty accurate on a lot of levels. I think it will not satisfy a lot of readers because it is very compact and the protagonist is a 15 yr old boy who is being quite honest about his feelings. We don't see that very often in books today.(less)
20 apr. 12:10

Alyssa Momo wrote: "It's weird because I got a completely different feeling from it because Craig as a character talks about how he isn't all neatly fixed, h...more
22 apr. 07:34

Dec 01, 2007 Lain rated it 3 of 5 stars

Take a good helping of "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," add a heaping spoonful of "Girl, Interrupted," and stir in a dollop or two of "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," and you'll have a good idea what you're going to get with "Funny Story."

A week after the author, Ned Vizzini, was discharged from his own stay in the psychiatric ward of a New York hospital, he began the tale of depressed teen Craig Gilner. On the point of suicide, Craig checks himself into the hospital, hoping to come to...more

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Sep 04, 2011 Kathryn rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own, motion-picture-tie-in, read-2011

What am I suppose to be feeling ??

Cute, quite funny and sometimes awkward, this book has left me hanging in mid air.

I think it would've been okay to have just watch the movie instead...
But no regrets !! at least it wasn't a "horrible" book. =P

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May 09, 2011 jo mo rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010, favourites, moments-of-hilarity, dramarama, read-in-german, artsy-character, made-into-movie, 2010-faves, reviews, 4-stars, re-reads

3.75/5

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Sep 29, 2012 Alexa rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-hold-grudges-against

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Despite its overly confident title, I failed to find the humor in It's Kind of a Funny Story. However, there were many things about this book that were, in fact, an absolute joke.

I tend to be overly generous with regards to book reviews, so I let Funny Story take three stars. If I could, I would grant it two and a half stars, but that's not an option on Goodreads. And I will admit, there were a few things about the novel that I liked.

I suppose I'll start with the good things, else I'll be too...more Despite its overly confident title, I failed to find the humor in It's Kind of a Funny Story. However, there were many things about this book that were, in fact, an absolute joke.

I tend to be overly generous with regards to book reviews, so I let Funny Story take three stars. If I could, I would grant it two and a half stars, but that's not an option on Goodreads. And I will admit, there were a few things about the novel that I liked.

I suppose I'll start with the good things, else I'll be too worked-up and frothingly-mad by the end of the criticism to actually say anything positive. The first half of the book was earnest, genuine, and not exactly powerful but definitely memorable--Craig is basically a good guy, and the reader can sympathize (or empathize, depending) with the kid. His friends seem like cardboard cutouts of teenagers (oh, wait, it's not time for negative criticism yet, is it?), but Craig remains fresh and realistic. Craig's descriptions and experiences of chronic depression are pretty accurate, initially.

Those good things are heavy outweighed by the bad, however. Firstly, what makes me so mad about the book is its resolution. Craig hooks up with not one but TWO girls during his stay in psychiatric care. That seems a little ridiculous--the hospital sounded more like a four-star hotel than a center of mental health: I mean, a smoking lounge, poker games every other night? Just saying. I expected more formalities, structure, and healing--and became a sort of deus ex machina. Ohoho, teenage boy gets some action, he can't even remember> what it was like to suffer from anxiety! Craig just "gets better" almost overnight, which comes as a slap in the face to me. Let me tell you, it really does not happen like that. It also bothered me that Craig's problems seemed to obviously stem from school-related stress, yet this was almost ignored in his treatment. Not that that wasn't a valid cause for his distress; it was just misleading, if the reader did not know any better. Regardless of whether the cause was external or internal, though, I doubt that a teenage fling or two would have "fixed" everything.

Overall, I was disappointed. There was so much potential--here was a tale of genuine teenage problems that didn't turn the victim into a punch line. Vizzini just had to ruin it by leaving readers with the moral that "true luv" and a positive attitude can nullify genuine illness. And to that I say, Vizzini, go perform a physical impossibility.

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Oct 10, 2010 Reese rated it 2 of 5 stars

It’s Kind Of A Funny Story:
Find Out What Teenage Depression Is Really Like?

Craig Gilner has checked himself into a mental ward. Will his depression go away or will Craig choose to end his life? In the book It’s Kind Of A Funny Story by Ned Vizzini the main character, Craig, is suffering from depression. This book is realistic fiction because the events in it could easily be true. This book takes place in New York City in a modern day time frame. The main characters in this book besides Craig a...more It’s Kind Of A Funny Story:
Find Out What Teenage Depression Is Really Like?

Craig Gilner has checked himself into a mental ward. Will his depression go away or will Craig choose to end his life? In the book It’s Kind Of A Funny Story by Ned Vizzini the main character, Craig, is suffering from depression. This book is realistic fiction because the events in it could easily be true. This book takes place in New York City in a modern day time frame. The main characters in this book besides Craig are Aaron, Craig’s parents, Craig’s sister Sarah, Nia, Noelle and Armelio. I would give this book three out of five stars, because in my opinion it was very hard to read and confusing. If you happen to not understand one paragraph you might not understand that whole chapter (that happened to me often). In the book, It’s Kind Of A Funny Story, Craig struggles with his depression in three main ways; Craig’s having trouble in school, he’s not fitting in with his friends and he’s so nervous he can’t eat or sleep.

Craig studied so hard to get into he high school now he’s falling behind. ”Hello this is your science teacher. We need to talk about the lack of your labs”, (231) Craig’s science teacher announced to him on a message he left . Craig feels like he’s the dumbest kid in school . He’s having a much tougher time in his new school. He wanted to get into a good school so he could get into a good college and have a perfect life. So far it’s not working out, which is really making him depressed.

Craig is also not fitting in with his friends. Craig’s best friend Aaron has a girlfriend. Craig feels like the third wheel. “When you came did you know you were going to hook up with Aaron”(132) asked Craig to Nia. Craig wonders if he ever had a chance with Nia. Along with this, Craig’s friends made fun of him for being in the mental ward. Not fitting in added to Craig’s depression.
Craig gets very anxious about many thing. He also throws up after he eats. Sometimes he won’t eat because he doesn’t want to throw up. “People give me strange looks; what’s wrong Craig, why aren’t you eating?”(33) When Craig gets anxious he worries and thinks too much. The worrying makes overcoming his depression even harder.

In the book It’s Kind Of A Funny Story, Craig struggles with his depression in three main ways; Craig’s having trouble in school, he’s not fitting in with his friends and he’s so nervous he can’t eat or sleep. I can relate to Craig because I get worried too. I know how frustrating it can be not to be able to relax or to fall asleep because you can’t stop worrying. In conclusion, when reading this book I realized that you should let your friends know when you are going through a real tough time, because even though you may not know it, they may be able to relate and help you.
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Aug 15, 2011 Kate rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, age-ya, psychological

The title of this book aptly describes the story therein. It IS kind of a funny story. Not laugh out loud funny, but quirky and cute, which are two adjectives I never would have thought of to describe a story about a kid who checks himself into a psychiatric ward for depression.

Craig's been stressing out ever since he made it into Executive Pre-Professional, an elite high school for the business-minded. To deal with the stress, he mostly hangs out with his friend Aaron and smokes pot. Slowly his...more The title of this book aptly describes the story therein. It IS kind of a funny story. Not laugh out loud funny, but quirky and cute, which are two adjectives I never would have thought of to describe a story about a kid who checks himself into a psychiatric ward for depression.

Craig's been stressing out ever since he made it into Executive Pre-Professional, an elite high school for the business-minded. To deal with the stress, he mostly hangs out with his friend Aaron and smokes pot. Slowly his worries (which he calls "Tentacles") get the best of him, and he begins seeing a therapist and starts taking Zoloft. One night, after many nights of not being able to sleep and not being able to eat without throwing up, Craig contemplates suicide and calls the Suicide Hotline for help. They tell him to go down to the emergency, so he does, and checks into 6 North, the adult psych ward (the teen ward is under construction). At the hospital, Craig meets a whole crew of fun characters and a girl named Noelle, who help him over the course of his week-long stay to get his life back on track.

This summary really doesn't describe the fun of reading this book. Craig describes his life with just enough quirky details to make it amusing. I love stories about psych wards and this was no exception. That being said, this wasn't the kind of psych ward story where the nurses are abusing the patients, or the patients are all angst-ridden and cutting themselves. They're just like, yeah, I cut my face up, so now I'm here. The patients aren't known by their diagnoses, either. There's no "schizophrenic patient," no "bipolar patient." They are people and they have good times and bad times. Craig essentially realizes that the more permanent fixtures of 6 North have much worse problems than he will ever have, and he learns that he needs to make some major changes in his life to make himself happy. I'm excited to see the movie adaptation of this book... I think it's going to be a lot of fun.

There is quite a lot of language, drug use, and some sexual situations in this book. Older high school students should be okay with it (I'd say 15 and up). Fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower will probably enjoy this as well.

8/15/11 - A Note About the Movie
The movie didn't hold as much charm for me as the book. I would give the movie 3 stars. The movie focused a bit too much on the Zack Galifinakis character, when in the book time was spent on all the different patients equally. Half the book is spent on Craig's situation before checking into the hospital, only a few minutes of the movie deals with this. I was also sad to find that they had filmed the scene where Craig calls the Suicide Hotline but cut it out of the final film. (less)

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Dec 21, 2008 Karin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009-abe-lincoln-nominee, realistic, young-adult-fiction, mental-illness, awkward-boys, borrowed-from-the-library

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Craig Gilner suffers from chronic depression. As a middle schooler he made it his priority to get into one of the best high schools in New York City – Manhattan’s Executive Pre-Professional High School. But once he gets in, things start to spiral out of control. He’s got way more homework than he can handle, everyone seems to be smarter than him (and immune to the pressure and stress that he’s feeling), he can’t eat without wanting to throw up, and he spends a lot of time at his friend’s house g...more Craig Gilner suffers from chronic depression. As a middle schooler he made it his priority to get into one of the best high schools in New York City – Manhattan’s Executive Pre-Professional High School. But once he gets in, things start to spiral out of control. He’s got way more homework than he can handle, everyone seems to be smarter than him (and immune to the pressure and stress that he’s feeling), he can’t eat without wanting to throw up, and he spends a lot of time at his friend’s house getting high. When Craig has bad days, he’ll spend hours just staring at his ceiling – unable to move. One night (after going off his medication), he decides that he’s going to kill himself. Before he does that, however, he picks up one of his mom’s self-help books, which advises him to call the suicide hotline. After talking to a number of people, Craig checks himself into the psychiatric ward at a local hospital, and almost immediately he starts feeling better. He’s able to relax, to eat, he makes friends easily, he settles into the routine and life stops stressing him out. Although he’s only in the hospital for a few days, he makes some amazing progress – he realizes that his friendships aren’t doing him any good, and that he’s probably at the wrong school (even though he made a Herculean effort to get accepted there). He even rediscovers this talent he has for drawing, and connects with a girl who understands his problems. You can bet they’re going to see each other on the outside.

This was surprisingly upbeat for a novel about teen depression and suicide. It’s loosely based on some of Ned Vizzini’s personal experiences (he’s also spent time in a psychiatric hospital for his depression), and it seems very true to life. One thing this story does is humanize depression – almost everyone experiences these feelings to some degree (whether this ought to be ‘normal’ is open to discussion), and teens who feel this way will be able to relate to Craig’s feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and despair. He’s surprisingly buoyant, though, too. Even when he makes his decision to take his own life, Craig is open to suggestions that he has other options, and he’s willing to wade through the system (I’m surprised he hung on with the number of times he gets referred to other people/agencies/services/doctors). I’m not sure how quickly other people solve all their problems and check back into real life, but Craig’s transformation is almost magical (maybe this is realistic for some people). It’s like, once he can take a moment to reflect on his problems (away from his problems), he finds that he has all of the answers inside of himself and that he can make things better by making different choices. The most empowering message is that we aren’t trapped in the lives we lead – we can make changes and those changes can alleviate some of the pressure. Craig reminds me a bit of Holden Caulfield (Catcher in the Rye), because he's initially so lost and disaffected.(less)

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Feb 27, 2012 Nick rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the kind of edgy story I can see closed minded people getting their panties in a wad over. The teenagers in this novel have sex, smoke weed, *gasp* cuss. It pretty much involves everything their little perfect honor roll student is probably doing that they want to pretend they don't do.

Craig lives in New York. How many ambitious New York City teenagers DON'T contemplate suicide at one point or another? In this case he seriously considers jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge. He calls a suicid...more

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Nov 04, 2012 Maru rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, ya-contemporary, reviewed

Not only did I enjoy this book immensely, it was a very fast read, feel-good and overall very fun, but it was also extremely insightful. The reason why this book is so good is because it is BOTH that book that you can pick up for light reading, that book that takes you somewhere else, and easily invites you into another world, but at the same time it provokes you to ask questions, to dig deep into your own issues and your way of living life. At least it did that for me.

It's Kind of a Funny Story...more Not only did I enjoy this book immensely, it was a very fast read, feel-good and overall very fun, but it was also extremely insightful. The reason why this book is so good is because it is BOTH that book that you can pick up for light reading, that book that takes you somewhere else, and easily invites you into another world, but at the same time it provokes you to ask questions, to dig deep into your own issues and your way of living life. At least it did that for me.

It's Kind of a Funny Story is a book about Craig Gilner, a 15-year-old who suffers from depression due to the excess of responsibilities he has undertaken. He feels like life is a huge burden with which he can't deal. He feels inferior to everyone else, and he sees himself as a complete and total failure. After a particularly bad night where he plans to kill himself he, instead, checks himself into a mental hospital. The experience he has while in there helps him look at life in a different way, deal with his issues and make important decisions.

Like I said this is a fun book, there is nothing depressing about it. It's a quick read, every character, no matter how mentally ill they are, is completely relatable. There are many fun situations to look forward to, and most important, you find yourself really rooting for Craig. Another thing I love is how supportive his family was. There might be a misconception that depression comes from people with family issues. This wasn't the case here. His family was very supportive and wanted the best for their son, but the reality is that Criag couldn't cope with the pressures of life that HE took on by HIMSELF.

I am a Psych student, about to get my degree, and it was very interesting to read this book with that clinical point of view. It was hilarious to read about Craig's perspective of "shrinks" at the beginning, and his thoughts on manuals such as the DSM.

Apart from a Psych student though, I am also a person who, like Craig, tries to go through life and has many anxieties about it. I may not be depressed, but you certainly don't have to be to sympathize with Craig's struggle. His characters is so well written that we can see ourselves in him. And what I loved the most is that Craig PUT WORDS to things that were actually happening to me. I loved, for example, how he named those things that caused him anxiety and led him to feel bad about himself the "TENTACLES". While on the other hand, he called those things that helped him stay grounded and put a stop to his obsessive thoughts that "ANCHORS". I love that, I am going to start using them for myself.
Another one I really enjoyed was how he kept waiting for "the Shift", which for him was that moment where he would be free of depression. And what I liked is that the Shift wasn't presented as some miracle, just a moment where he could finally put things into perspective and realize he can live.

Craig's time in the psychiatric hospital helped him realize that his problems had solutions, that he had the power to change them. It also helped him realize that the change isn't in any doctors, or friends, or family. Nobody was going to be able to magically hand him the SHIFT, because the Shift was in him. And only he could bring peace to himself.

That is the most important message that this book taught me and I will treasure it immensely. I am positive that in my moments of anxiety I will be able to use this book as my Anchor just like Craig used his beautiful drawings. (less)

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Jun 14, 2010 Julzzz rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is amazing! I love it greatly!!!! It is all about fifteen year old Greg, who is suffering from clinical depression, and has to be hospitalized due to all the stress that is placed upon him. there he learns to cope with his stress, and cut off the source of his stress, which is his school. There he also learns that the girl that he loves is not worth it and he is better off with a girl that he met in the hospital. Greg also learns to draw and by doing this he expresses his emotions and...more

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Dec 25, 2012 Mery rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: abandoned, reviewed, 2012

"It's Kind of a Funny Story" started out great, not so funny, but great! Everyone has experienced such moments in life when they have lost their purpose, or forgotten the meaning of that purpose, as despair has stolen into the nooks and crannies of their soul. I think the author did a great job describing these grim emotions and how they mess with your head, your mood and relationships. I was reading some of my own thoughts in the book and I enjoyed the relationship I developed with the protagon...more "It's Kind of a Funny Story" started out great, not so funny, but great! Everyone has experienced such moments in life when they have lost their purpose, or forgotten the meaning of that purpose, as despair has stolen into the nooks and crannies of their soul. I think the author did a great job describing these grim emotions and how they mess with your head, your mood and relationships. I was reading some of my own thoughts in the book and I enjoyed the relationship I developed with the protagonist. I've got some big exams coming up and I've adopted the mindset that they are the ultimate goal of my life and when I excel them... well, that's it; there's nothing more to it than excelling those exams. The first two parts of the book showed me, however, that there's always a "beyond" waiting for you around the corner and you should never forget it, otherwise some day you might just walk past it and lose your sense of direction, bound to roam the streets and the Brooklyn Bridge forever.
Nevertheless, as I puttered deeper into the book, I realized that the depression of the character wasn't due to a lost purpose (for he might have found a new one once the school year began) or because he wasn't as smart as the other kids (becoming as smart as them might have been a good purpose as well) but because his best friend (who I find a complete con) had a girlfriend that Craig (the name of the protagonist) had developed an infatuation for the moment the couple hit it off. Nia (the girlfriend) is described as a self-centred, self-important girl who hides a big part of her personality behind spontaneous dances and fake laughter. I couldn't stand her and I couldn't stand the fact that this silly boy saw who she was for real and still claimed to be madly in love with her.
I gave up halfway though the book. I would sit down to read but my mind would wander off for the story wasn't as gripping and compelling any longer. His stay in the mental hospital was supposed to be both the culmination and the denouement of the book but instead of focusing on the main story line, the author introduced us at once to dozens of new characters who had their own philosophies and troubled minds. I am used to reading books with lots of characters but this onslaught defeated me.
I didn't like the film and now the book has left me unimpressed, as well.(less)

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Nov 10, 2011 Cassie Greene rated it 3 of 5 stars

It's Kind of a Funny Story

Most people say that high school is supposed to be the "glory years", meaning the years we will remember as the most exciting and fun. However, juggling school, sports, friends, hormones, etc... it can get stressful. For Craig Gilner, life as a teen is anything but fun. He is a sophomore in high school, living in uptown New York, who has been through some rough teenage years so far. Craig suffers from a "sickness", him and his family call it; it is sort of like a form o...more It's Kind of a Funny Story

Most people say that high school is supposed to be the "glory years", meaning the years we will remember as the most exciting and fun. However, juggling school, sports, friends, hormones, etc... it can get stressful. For Craig Gilner, life as a teen is anything but fun. He is a sophomore in high school, living in uptown New York, who has been through some rough teenage years so far. Craig suffers from a "sickness", him and his family call it; it is sort of like a form of depression in the sense that he doesn't find happiness in anything and he rarely eats, which leads him to have suicidal thoughts. His mother insists on spending money on therapist-after-therapist but that does not seem to affect him. He sometimes finds comfort in smoking pot with the few friends he has, but that doesn't seem to help him in the long-run either. The last time Craig can actually remember being happy was about three years ago, when he went to a party with his best, and basically his only friend, Aaron. Until Craig enters into a mental hospital, he has never been happier. Here, he meets a girl his age who turns his life upside down.
Craig starts out as a hopeless and confused grump who becomes suicidal, not knowing who he really is until Noelle can relate to him. The two friends find comfort in each others support and Craig is eventually well on his way back to health and happiness. This book can relate to almost any teen because it is extremely modern. Although not every teen is depressed and sick, but most have seen television shows, heard of stories, or know someone personally going through similar problems as Craig, it is an easy story to relate to. I personally don't relate to Craig but even I, a sophomore in high school, found myself not being able to put the book down.
This book makes the reader think and it has the potential to really give comfort to any teen, or adult, going through any similar problems. I strongly recommend this book for anyone with a personal interest on how to find yourself. Personally, I enjoyed reading this book because of the way it strongly relates to modern teens. It shows that no matter how tough a situation, there are people to support you and lead you to a road to recovery; it just matters how long it takes you to get there.(less)

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Oct 21, 2010 K rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: library, i-bought-it

I really enjoyed the two halves of this story. It almost felt too neat and farfetched toward the end, but I did like where it ended up. Then I learned that the author wrote this based on, and closely resembling his own experience. So what do I know, right?

This is a story about depression. We meet Craig at his lowest and get his story of the year leading up. It’s at times uncomfortable, his thoughts are so honest and some very familiar. It felt genuine and never disrespectful. Then there’s a scen...more

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Dec 06, 2007 Sammy rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anybody

This book, Graig a teen that is depressed because of the stress in high school and outside. He starts off at 8th grade staying home studying all day and all night just to pass the test to get into the best high school in New York City. When he got in, it was not what he have expected. It was hard for him and he smoked pot. He started becoming depressed and he took pills. He stopped because he thought he was better, but he wasn't. One night, he was going to kill himself, but he decided to call th...more

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Jan 04, 2013 Annabel ♥ rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: summer-2012-plan-to-read

I actually wasn't the biggest fan of this book. About 90% of the book dealt with depression, suicide, sex, self-harm, etc., and though I have understanding of those topics, they're not something I generally like to read books about just because they tend to lower my comfort level. I felt a little uncomfortable at some parts, so that's why I think I didn't really enjoy it. It was on a recommended list for people my age, but I definitely think that this book is better suited for a New Adult audien...more

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Dec 19, 2011 David Dicolen rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

We were almost done with the past semester when I was first introduced to this film. And maybe out of its relatability with my life as I ventured myself into the rabbit hole of college, I found this film a sure win for me. And after reading countless reviews and feedbacks, I then found out that this is actually adopted from a book by Ned Vizzini with the same name. That was when the quest of finding a copy of it started. I browsed through several bookstores but was all told that there are no mor...more We were almost done with the past semester when I was first introduced to this film. And maybe out of its relatability with my life as I ventured myself into the rabbit hole of college, I found this film a sure win for me. And after reading countless reviews and feedbacks, I then found out that this is actually adopted from a book by Ned Vizzini with the same name. That was when the quest of finding a copy of it started. I browsed through several bookstores but was all told that there are no more copies available. I thought I would be okay with that, having been contented only by just watching the film numerous times when I’m free, but I still get these urges of wanting to read it, at least even before this year pass. So yesterday evening, I finally succumbed and read the ebook copy of it (even as much as I hate doing so and having been pledged to read the printed word).

It’s kind of a funny story really caught me awestruck. It is a book honestly that has something to resemble with my life as a college student. I can even quite compare it to Stephen Chboksy’s The Perks of being a wallflower out of their significance and relation to what I have to go through, I mean with the psychological aspects of life. And this book is also a friendly read, the story is told in a humorous way, and next thing you’ll see is that you’re laughing through those parts as Craig Gilner deal with the schizophrenic, with the bipolar disorder and the sociopaths.

Plus the storyline ,it was brilliant and was beautifully crafted on it’s own. The romance along it, the teenage pressures, the stresses in school, the familial support, we’ve been through those things and I like the way how Ned Vizzini cropped them up together and makes us all reflect with them.

And most importantly, the insights and the learnings of the story. I like the way how it tackled depression in a way that I found myself realizing that there is indeed always an end to it. I mean, it’s just a phase after all, it’s part of the cycle of our lives. We go through things we never had anticipated, it will damage us, break us, and next thing we know, we are trapped into this depression. And the book taught me that it has to end and it will. there maybe no specific drug nor cure to it, but as long as we open our eyes, free ourselves from worries, focus on what we think will make us happy, that’s when depression will leave us. And suicide was never an option to every problem that we have to go through. We just have to have the guts, the courage and the initiative to fight it and ease it off of our lives.

Lastly, I sure am giving this 5/5 stars for it has been quite of a good journey with Craig and I may consider now becoming a Psych nurse in the future. We will see.(less)

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Apr 03, 2009 Hoang rated it 4 of 5 stars

It’s Kind of a Funny Story, by Ned Vizzini, is the story of Craig Gilner, a depressed, New York high schooler who spends a life changing five days in the psychiatric section of his local hospital. Everything seemed like it was going well for Craig; he got into a prestigious high school by passing a difficult entrance exam, setting his life up for success as a lawyer. He was proud, at least until he realized how much stress school causes him. To Craig, everything became a Tentacle, a stressful ac...more It’s Kind of a Funny Story, by Ned Vizzini, is the story of Craig Gilner, a depressed, New York high schooler who spends a life changing five days in the psychiatric section of his local hospital. Everything seemed like it was going well for Craig; he got into a prestigious high school by passing a difficult entrance exam, setting his life up for success as a lawyer. He was proud, at least until he realized how much stress school causes him. To Craig, everything became a Tentacle, a stressful activity that demands too much attention, and he just is not able to make the Shift, a change back into his normal lifestyle.
After calling the Suicide Hotline, Craig Gilner checks himself in to his local hospital to try and fix the problem there. Six North, the psychiatric floor of the hospital, becomes his new haven for the next five day; it becomes a shelter that gives Craig time to think about what makes him happy. His long forgotten passion for art reemerges, and with the support of some interesting new found friends, he sets his life into a different path when leaving Six North.
As depressing as this book gets, it really is kind of funny. Ned Vizzini manages to include light humor into the story that I am certain every teenager will understand, and the characters Craig Gilner meets in Six North become lovable due to each individual’s uniqueness. His writing style is very simple; not simple in word choice, but simple to understand due to the familiar teenage lingo. Ned Vizzini adds some questions into the novel that explores and challenges established beliefs in society, and does that through the many support characters Gilner befriends. At first, when I had this first-person narrative, I actually did think it was going to be a story about anything but depression, but even after my astonishment, I do not regret reading this book. Many teenagers are going through the exact same thing, although in varying magnitudes concerning the situation. I was not surprised when some of Craig’s problems resembled mine.
The central conflict in this novel is man versus himself, and the theme is one of my favorites, having to do with the undying pursuit of happiness. A successful life is not fulfilled by material success, but by having success in oneself through happiness. Craig’s happiness lied with his artwork, which he finds enjoyable because of its block from the complications of life. Personally, I find myself in the exact same situation. My junior year of high school is about setting me up for a major in some professional field of science, when really I plan on going to an art college after I graduate. What makes this novel so relatable is the fact that it deals with a problem that is often overlooked; the pressures put on teenagers, and how it affects their sense and perspective on life.
I highly recommend this novel to every teenager that is feeling overwhelmed by schoolwork and life itself, but I also recommend it to anyone older as well. Although it is fiction, the story is close to the truth, where the real truth will not cut it. Many teenagers feel the exact same way, and I found this book to be a temporary relief from my small depression. While it is a story about a teenager, the other characters introduced have a life that is far worse than what Craig Gilner is going through, and that adds a new perspective on the reader’s own problems compared to everyone else’s in the world. Even if one is not looking for a book specifically about depression, the story itself is a nice break away from the generic books that come up nowadays. Tears and, who knows, maybe even some laughs will come out once the book is closed.
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Apr 02, 2009 Jessica rated it 4 of 5 stars

It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini is a comic but yet provides a important message. Just like Ned Vizzini a spent time in a psychiatric hospital during his depression in November 2004, so did his main character Craig Gilner. Vizzini is able to portray a life of a high school kid, in a way that shows that in then end it will not always end with the guy actually getting the job he always worked hard for. During the novel, Vizzini offers so much detail that you can feel what the character is...more It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini is a comic but yet provides a important message. Just like Ned Vizzini a spent time in a psychiatric hospital during his depression in November 2004, so did his main character Craig Gilner. Vizzini is able to portray a life of a high school kid, in a way that shows that in then end it will not always end with the guy actually getting the job he always worked hard for. During the novel, Vizzini offers so much detail that you can feel what the character is feeling. This was just an outstanding book to read while relating it to real life issues.
15- year-old Craig Gilner from Brooklyn has studied everything to the bone, and when the exam came, he knew everything. He was applying for Manhattan’s Executive Pre-Professional High School, and after taking the exam, he A’s it. He knew by being accepted to the school he was already in the fight path to success to getting a top-notch job in Wall Street. During his high school years, Craig’s main goal is to get the straight A’s and be the best. But what he discovers is that he is not the only smart person in the school, in fact, he is just an average kid.
As he discovers more and more that instead of this school making him happy, he is stressed out more than ever. He had stopped eating, doing daily activities, and sleeping which later becomes a cycle in his life. He decides the stress needs to stop, and calls the suicide hot line and is recommended to go to the psychiatric hospital. He does and spends five days on Six North, the name of the floor in which he will be spending his time to recuperate. Here he is able to have a roommate who later becomes his girlfriend, which he was always wanted to have. Craig also meets new people that at times are different but share different things. Overall, the friends he meets in Six North are nothing like his “friends” in school. While attending his therapy he is able to find himself again, and his real talent and hobby, art. With the support he gets from the psychiatric hospital, he becomes himself again and decides to enroll in an Art school.
In the beginning, Vizzini already gives us an insight of a high school student, who just wants to be someone in life. This may be a typical topic, but the way Vizzini presumed it was unique and different, which is one of the things that attracted me to this book. Not only that but he is able to show us a message that is powerful, but in a comical way which doesn’t make the book all depressing, since that’s one of the main ideas.
This book would be best suited for people that are trying to get into colleges, or even high schools. It’s a book made just for those people (including me) who need that reminder that one should not choose a school just because it has been advertised as the best everywhere. But in fact, choose a school, or college that best suits them in their interest. The novel is also for those people who can relate to depression, sex, or drugs but want to read funny moments.
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Apr 02, 2009 Kellyjean rated it 5 of 5 stars

The book I am reviewing today is It’s Kind Of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini. This book is Young Adult fiction . The theme of this book I would have to say is that there’s always a bright/funny side to everything and you need to make the most of what you got.
The book It’s Kind Of a Funny Story is about a teenager named Craig Gilner whom has practically everything you could ask for he has best friends, got into one of the best high school in New York and has two loving parents who would do anythin...more The book I am reviewing today is It’s Kind Of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini. This book is Young Adult fiction . The theme of this book I would have to say is that there’s always a bright/funny side to everything and you need to make the most of what you got.
The book It’s Kind Of a Funny Story is about a teenager named Craig Gilner whom has practically everything you could ask for he has best friends, got into one of the best high school in New York and has two loving parents who would do anything to make sure Craig is happy but once he got into that high school he started also having terrible depression which prevents him from being able to eat and when he does eat he throw its up immediately after and he seems to believe his grade a mediocre to say the least but they are 93’s which I believe is still pretty good. In the book Craig worked as hard as he could to get into this prestigious high school and once he got in he didn’t realize he was going to have to keep it up and work just as hard everyday and its hard for him to keep up with the pressures. Craig has a best friend Aaron who is also got into Manhattan’s Executive Pre-Professional high school but unlike Craig he doesn’t have any pressure he just goes with the flow everything just comes easily to him which I think bothers Craig. What also bother Craig is Aarons girlfriend Nia , who Craig is secretly jealous about. The pressure just keeps on building up till eventually Craig sees a psycho pharmacist who prescribes him some sort of anti-depressant which Craig stops taking because he think he’s all better but he’s wrong and ends up at the emergency room at the hospital being checked into the mental ward .
This book affected me because like Craig I saw that there are people out there with way bigger problems and I shouldn’t sweat the small stuff, there are people out there that have to remember to breathe all the time or they wont and can suffocate . That’s how this book affected me.
I would recommend this book to just about anyone it’s funny, very clever but also has some drama points like depression which almost everyone can relate to even though the main character Craig is a teenager he’s very relatable . I haven’t read many books I don’t know why it used to not appeal to me that much but this book makes me want to read more. I am even going to look what other books Ned Vizzini has written so I recommend this book to EVERYONE and I think it will be enjoyed. Even Judy Blume had this to say about his book “A fresh, spontaneous, and original voice …. It’s fun, wacky, outrageous. I just couldn’t stop reading,” Also when I looked up Ned Vizzini I saw he was in a interview with Judy Blume whom was recommending ANOTHER one of his books. So if you liked any of Judy Blumes books growing up or just trust Judy Blumes and my judgment you’ll read this book. (less)

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Jan 04, 2009 Maureen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: realistic-fiction, ya

If you are putting together a reading advisory for teens on depression or mental illness, or with issues of teen suicide, don't leave out this book!

Writing from experience as a teen with depression, Ned Vinzzini tells us a story of 15 year old Craig who is in a constant struggle with mixed anxiety and depression disorder. Vinzzini does a wonderful job of developing Craig's dialog so that the reader understand the feelings and thoughts of a normal, smart, teenager who suffers everyday with anxiet...more

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May 23, 2013 Zora rated it 4 of 5 stars

Quite readable, a page-turner of a book. Plot: urban teen depressive hits bottom and checks himself onto the psych ward of his local hospital.

The book began badly for me, with a bunch of white teens talking rap slang at each other in some comfy basement after a day at the exclusive academy high school, which put me off both politically and linguistically, and which is going to make the book look ludicrous in a decade, as slang changes so quickly. But I kept reading and the problem did not persis...more

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May 06, 2013 Ian Madewell rated it 5 of 5 stars

When my friends first suggested I read this book, I was both intrigued and appreciative. I had only heard good things about it, and felt as if it was required reading. I had no idea it would have such a profound effect on me.
The book revolves around Craig Gilner and his psychological crisis and eventual recovery. Craig has sacrificed much of his social life and sanity in order to be "successful", getting into a great school and being extraordinarily intelligent. However, once he begins to attend...more

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NED READERS: 'It's Kind of a Funny Story' Discussion Thread	14	43	20 mar. 08:45
Drake 6: It's Kind of a Funny Story Review	1	7	28 nov. 15:09
Wild Things: YA G...: March 2012- It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini	7	56	07 apr. 13:35

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