Epiphanies Whilst High Out Of One's Mind

by H.T. Yim

Love, weed, and a love-hate affair with weed.

Terra undergoes a peculiar struggle in her youth: to try to enjoy pot.

For years at the behest of her stoner friends and lovers, she tries and fails to smoke up and like it; until one shining day, she experiences marijuana's enhancement of abstract thinking, bestowing upon her a new perspective on life, love, and everything in between.

"Epiphanies Whilst High Out Of One's Mind" is a work of narrative nonfiction with a predominantly humorous tone, seeking to both entertain and educate in a highly exciting time of marijuana law reform. It is one cannabis enthusiast's attempt to raise consciousness on the still-controversial substance during an era of marijuana law reform.

Genres: Nonfiction

178 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2012

About the author

Hayoung Terra Yim is a Third Wave feminist, environmentalist, diverse writer, and fan of all things science-fiction and fantasy.

More than anything, she believes in effecting social change through popular culture.

Read and download her stories at htyim.com.

Reviews

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. So that others may also enjoy this book, I am paying it forward by donating it a local library.

[books are love · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can feel the humour throughout the book. Some things do boggle my mind and leave me with questions. One is if you always got sick when high why did continue? Can these epiphanies which are fascinating and interesting have occurred while watching Pink Floyd’s the wall without getting high? Why on earth did you stay with Kurt for so long especially when it worked double time on your insecurities?

Other than that the book is a informative and first hand look at what one thinks of and goes through when on marijuana. The writing is good and the story is interesting. What she went through to find her epiphanies are not I would want to but it does give you a look into someone’s mind when they are high.

A interesting account of someone’s thoughts when under the influence and her journey into finding a peace of mind and sense of self.

[Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I wanted to like it. I tried. It reads like a teenager's diary, and I just couldn't. This book bored me out of my mind. I couldn't possibly care less about the main character or the events in the book. Sorry.

[Alex Stargazer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I was provided a free review copy by Sage’s Blog Tours; I was not compensated for this review, and write this in the full capacity of an impartial reviewer.

Epiphanies whilst High (as I shall name for the sake of brevity) is in many regards an aptly named memoir: the author details her personal experiences with the dubious substance—giving fascinating detail both on the pleasant and unsavoury aspects of the drug—as well as, curiously enough, the epiphanies that she experienced whilst under its influence.

Nevertheless, I feel this limits the scope and efficacy of this work; for although personal experience can be valuable—there is something more human to introspective prose than what cold reason can hope to bequeath—the essay was nevertheless held back by a lack of detailed analysis. There was no mention of why marijuana was different from, say, alcohol; and by this I mean not in the sense of the drugs’ effects (in fact that was elucidated on handsomely) but rather: why is one permissible instead of the other, and why does the author think marijuana should be legal as well?

I also felt the essay could have done well to have included some political philosophy (with which the author clearly was familiar). There was no mention of internal vs external freedom, for example, or why marijuana might impinge on the latter. Nor was there any consideration to the value of freedom per se, and how marijuana use fitted into that.

The author did elaborate on the health effects of pot—she for example personally experienced memory loss—but never did she ask the reader to question whether these are cause enough to ban weed.

I would also have enjoyed some jurisprudent analysis. It isn’t illegal to consume alcohol while pregnant, for example, even if it is highly recommended against by doctors[1]; nor is it illegal to purchase substantial amounts of alcohol, or to get drunk (though some limited laws have been passed). If weed were legal, how would these legal issues be addressed? What about those prone to schizophrenia? Or teenagers?

Opprobrium aside, I nonetheless enjoyed Epiphanies. For one, it was genuinely humorous; Yim has a talent for injecting seemingly ordinary situations with just a slice or two of craziness (and I don’t mean that in a literary sense).

For two, Epiphanies is written in a curiously descriptive—even novelistic—style, that works well to pique the interest of the reader. One feels more inclined to describe Epiphanies as a new adult romance, as opposed to a dry political essay. Were I not so punctilious a soul, however, I might not comment on the author’s literary failings. Yim has a tendency to begin most of her scenes with pathetic fallacy; and initially, this works well; but soon, it grows a little tedious.

That said, Yim’s skill as a writer isn’t in doubt: she writes in a clear, and sophisticated yet informal manner that allows one to both easily absorb the content of her words, and to enjoy Epiphanies as a memoir. In this regard, I will pose no criticism. What I will comment on: some of her eponymous epiphanies.

Some are quite fascinating. She ascribes the feeling of an uncertain relationship to be much like deciding on bus routes: one is constantly wondering whether they’ve picked the quickest bus route—and if the buses tend to run slowly, one wonders whether it is better to leave one bus and try another. Though simplistic, this is a fitting analogy for how lovers feel when a relationship doesn’t seem to be working.

Others are interesting, though a little tenuous. For example: she likens the way horsemen in RR Martin’s Game of Thrones dismount when in a duel, to being somewhat like the chivallric code; the idea being, to implicitly level the playing field. One ought be careful of using fantasy analogies (knights dismount in close combat because horses are more of a liability in that situation, for example) and even more so of accepting simple explanations. That said, there’s nothing outwardly fallacious about Yim’s analogies.

Conclusion

Allow me to summarise my admittedly rambling thoughts on the matter. Epiphanies whilst High our of One’s Mind is, largely, well-written, engaging, and contains some fascinating personal experiences—as well as, of course, plenty of epiphanies. I believe those curious about the drug, or those interested in debating its use and legality, would find Epiphanies while High a strong read. That is, if they read it with the clear understanding that this is not a formal essay.

If you are looking for a formal essay, this isn’t it; though even so, this is a worthy read. And that perhaps best describes Yim’s work.

Rating: 3.5/5

1: Potentially an offence under Offences against the Person Act 1861, though enforced only in extreme circumstances.

This review has been ammended to name the author as Hayoung Yim. Previously, a pseudonym had been used.

[Valerie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won Epiphanies Whilst High Out of One's Mind by Abigail Lee in a GoodReads giveaway. I received a smallish paperback of engaging design and a full-color cover. Epiphanies Whilst High Out of One's Mind contains 150 pages of thick, ivory paperback-book paper with thin serif fonts formatted with easy-to-read double-spacing and generous titles and wide margins.

Somewhere between Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw and Saturday Night Live's Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation With at a Party is Abigail Lee's Epiphanies Whilst High Out of One's Mind. Epiphanies is self-described as a "work of narrative nonfiction with a predominantly humorous tone seeking to both entertain and educate".

Unfortunately, Epiphanies doesn't deliver real laughs or deep thoughts, but a steady stream of recurring drinking binges and smoke-out sessions and hook ups and bad relationships book-ended by moments of coherent thought that seem so much more grand under the imminent onslaught of alcohol induced vomiting. And then wake up hungover and puzzle it all out and do it again. While it is engaging in an observational fascination sort of way, it is often not entertaining and occasional blooms of footnotes for educational purposes seem forced.

Abigail also discusses at length her difficulties with getting high, her struggles with various side effects, leaving one wondering why she persists and what, if any, sort of positive message regarding cannabis use is there to be gleaned from all of this? While her moments of stupor-induced clarity may seem to guide her along a path of discovery, there's no real gift of wisdom or take-away for the reader.

For its overall form, Epiphanies is not badly written or poorly conceived. If anything, Epiphanies suffers most from a failure to deliver on an ambitiously worded title and even more undermining from pretentious self-description.

Repackaging this book with more of a contextual title - perhaps an innocuous phrase from the narrative, and introduced with more of a "coming of age - path of discovery" description and dropping the educational pretext would do a lot to change the paradigm and the reader’s expectation going into this book and go a long way in securing a better future for this loose collection of essays.

Recommended as a Good Read for aficionados of independent press and observers of inebriation in the process of discovery of the human condition.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.

This book was one of the funniest books I have ever read. This book tells the story of a young woman's life experience with marijuana. There is no message in this book about not to smoke marijuana or promoting the smoking of marijuana. It is purely one person's experience with the plant. I highly (pun intended) enjoyed this book. The 'epiphanies' experienced while high are actually insightful approaches to real-life situations that apply to smoker and non-smoker alike. This book was definitely worth the read. I recommend this book to anyone.

[Sage Adderley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. It is part memoir and part educational. It's blended very well though and never feels choppy while reading. We meet the author during a time where she is experimenting with marijuana. Readers follow along as she "greens out" and receives many epiphanies while high.

Yim is a great writer, so while this was a quick read, it felt fulfilling. I learned quite a bit about cannabis and the etiquette of smoking it. I also enjoyed reading the author's epiphanies. They were deep, yet sensible. A good read for those who appreciate nonfiction and can open their mind to this subject matter.

[Joann(san diego shutterbug) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read. very insightful. I was able to relate to some of the things in there. Author was great at elaborating on some things for me via email.it was more understandable when I found out it was mostly auto biographical. The epiphanies were very relatable. it was was interesting to communicate with the author while reading the book. if you have ever smoked pot recreationally its defiantly a must read due to the fact it would most likely be relatable in some aspects. I received this book as part of goodreads.com first reads giveaways.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gave me "food for thought", pun intended. I can't say I haven't thought about trying it as sometimes we all need something to mellow us out. Alas, being a little on the chunky side, a constant craving for munches while high would truly exacerbate a problem and create another one. While I support medicinal use, as well as people with high anxieties and/or shy people, I believe more research should be done for people with Alzheimer's and the possible benefits marijuana might reap. Using is not for me but a fun and thought provoking book just the same.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recieved a copy of this book free from goodreads.
Firstly before I even read the book I had a read of a lovely letter and personal message in the book from the author. I though this was a lovely touch that continues into a good read.
Its a well told memoire that shares good humour, fact, philosophy and honest views.
I have always scribbled notes and one liners on paper, its nice to hear someone put them back together more sensically than I ever could!

[Allyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book the author through First Reads. :)

I really enjoyed this book. I found it was relateable in some ways and that you could see where the author was coming from. She included a lovely note with the book that lets me know what an honest and self-aware person the author is. Thank you for allowing me to share in your book.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look into the mind of someone 'whilst high out of their mind'. I think I was expecting some deeper thoughts than what I read, but I did enjoy the reading and will pass it on to friends.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Humorous little book about insights while high on weed. I applaud the author's ability to remember and record such great insights. It was a fun read.

I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway.