Solutions and Other Problems (utgåvan 2020)

We waited a long time for Allie Brosh’s second book, but it was worth the wait. She has presented us with 514 full color, glossy pages that share her unique look at the world with us. After her first book, Brosh went into a period of major depression, adding that to her long standing ADD (and, I believe, anxiety). This may have been triggered by her sister’s violent suicide, as well as escaping from an abusive relationship. This volume doesn’t have the manic hilarity of her first book; it’s deeper and more thoughtful. The humor is still there, though- the book starts with how, as a toddler, she got stuck inside a five gallon bucket- multiple times- because she became obsessed with getting completely inside it. The art has become a little more sophisticated, although her depictions of herself are the stuff of nightmares (seriously, no one is jointed that way, but it WORKS). She pokes fun at her mental health issues, dogs, relationships, family, everything. All of this is new material, as she hasn’t updated her blog in… forever. As someone with depression and anxiety myself, I relate to a lot of the things that have happened to her. I brought the book home in the middle of the afternoon, and finished at 2 in the morning because I didn’t want to stop turning pages- all 514 of them. Read this book! ( )

If you haven't discovered the unique pleasures of Allie Brosh's unique view of the world, you're in for a treat.

She has a great understanding for both children and dogs, a willingness to be unsparingly honest and she's really, really funny.

Her latest book is a graphic collection of personal essays that range from childhood memories to some tragic events in her adult life to observations about dogs.

Throughout, Brosh represents herself as a small, not quite human creature who wears hot pink and keeps her hair in a ponytail. Even in her essays about her life as an adult, she remains very small. It's an effective choice and it's remarkable how such a simply drawn character can display such a wide range of emotions. While some chapters packed more of a punch than others, all were excellent. If you're already familiar with [Hyperbole and a Half], you've probably already read this. And if you aren't, you are in for a treat. ( )

Very difficult to describe Allie Brosh if you've never seen her work. Take a look at the cover... that's her, the star of the show.

I'll open up to a random-to-me page, the exact middle of the book. It's a series of panels depicting her and her little sister during memorable childhood moments. No text. Allie's sister ended up dying by violent suicide, so it's heavy. That, plus some serious health problems or her own, plus a divorce leaving her living a very reclusive life, plus her basic sad nihilism, form the basis of the (lack of) story.

I feel I'm not doing a very good job of talking it up. It's an amazing piece of work. ( )

This thing gave me a lot of emotions—frankly more than I was ready to deal with—and there was some hysterical laughter and I might have also cried a little, but basically it’s a really good read. ( )

I would give the edge to her first book, but this is excellent too. ( )