It's Kind of a Funny Story

Having enjoyed the film so much (I've watched it many times) I wanted to read the book. Some details were changed compared to the film with a much longer introduction to Craigs life before he checks himself into Hospital (ending up in the Psychiatric ward). So it was still interesting to read the book. An easy read if you're not usually massively into reading books.

It’s Kind of a Funny Story is about fifteen year-old Craig who suffers from depression and after having suicidal thoughts, calls a suicide helpline and gets admitted into a psychiatric hospital. In there, he meets a whole range of patients, suffering from different mental conditions. He tries to make the most of his time but more importantly, he tries to get better and turn his life around.This book has been on my TBR list for some time and I bought myself a copy not long ago and finally got around to reading it and what an outstanding read it was. Craig’s depression is very much the fore-thought of the entire novel, written from Craig’s POV but it was extremely eye-opening to read abour how Craig percieves his world. I did feel for him, and didn’t want him to go through what he went through and thoroughly rooted for him to finally find happiness.The other characters in the hospital were absolute gems and I think, helped Craig towards his road of recovery. They were fantastically written characters; ranging from a transvestite, a nutty college-professor, a Egyptian who never leaves his room and a girl who cut her own face with a pair of scissors. Although obviously quite tragic cases, they definitely bring an element of humour to an otherwise quite dark story.That’s one of the most prominant things about this novel for me; is the fact that despite the sensitve topic the novel revolves around, it’s actually quite humerous in more ways than one. It was a fairly light-hearted story, with it’s darker scenes of course but not a story to stray from thinking it’s too, in need of a better word, “depressing”. However, it does have a very strong message about how pressure can affect teens and young adults; school, friends, grades, exams, fitting in and although seem like trivial problems, can have a lasting negative effect on an individual.Despite not having suffered with depression, I do believe this is quite a accurate portrayal of not only your thoughts and feelings but the feelings of those around you who may not fully understand what you’re going though. For example, when Craig’s best friend Aaron says, “I think I might have that depression thing”. I did find some scenes and thoughts that Craig had hit home quite hard for me, because of person experiences. Which I won’t go into here but that’s what it’s all about isn’t it? Being able to connect with a book on different levels and sharing thoughts and feelings with the characters.What an incredibly powerful, moving and life-affirming read about depression and mental illness. Made all the more so by the authors devastating suicide. It was such a bizarre feeling, reading a book about the very thing that took over his mind in the end. Rest in peace, Ned and thank you for writing such an amazing book that probably has and will inspire and help generations to come.

First of all, I gotta get this off my chest.. Ned Vizzini wrote this in less than 4 freakin' weeks! I'm so frustrated! I can't even finish a novel in a year!Anyway. I read this in three days or so. Loved it! Gotta say, it was pretty great!I like how Craig is super awkward, but also really charming and smart.The story is very believable, like the reviews say, but they also say it's funny, so I sorta imagined there being lots of laugh-out-loud jokes, but there wasn't really any. It was much more the generel characters awkwardness and random comments, that I found funny. But I rarely laughed out loud.Anyway, I don't judge a book by humor. If I feel like I learn something, or is inspired by a novel, then I really like it, and I will deffinitely be reading this again.I watched the movie after reading the book. And I kinda wish I'd seen the movie first, cuz there's such a huge difference between the two, and I couldn't help thinking "That's completely wrong" and they took out so many good lines! So if I'd seen the movie first, I wouldn't have been so distracted, and would probably have loved it.It's not that the movie isn't good, it is, but the book is sooo much better!I loved the ending (no spoilers), because it was so true to what's real in the world of mental illness. Which is a world I'm very familiar with..I'd like to read more from Ned. He's got my attention now! Awesome novel!

Book quality is very good. Easy read. One of the best books I have ever read. Postage was pretty quick too! I am a 17 year old girl in England and this book is honestly one of my favourite books ever, I recommend it 100% to anyone going through a difficult time in their life.

It was interesting to read about a mental hospital/psych ward, that isn't written about in a negative light. Craig actually finds help, and clarification during his time there, he puts his life and his problems into perspective, and comes out with rational answers for the problems he has been battling. It's so refreshing to read a YA novel about mental health, with a positive outcome!To read more, go to: http://www.kirstiekinsblogs.co.uk/2015/07/its-kind-of-funny-story-ned-vizzini.html