by Allie Brosh

This was a fun and quick read to get a little escapism in. Reading Allie Brosh is like experiencing a dream while being fully awake; a dream with all of is logical-but-illogical connections, sharp turns, and crazy coincidences, but without any of the intense fear because you’re fully awake and know it’s just a book. And most of it is silly anyway.

At face value the illustrations seem simple and almost childish. Don’t be fooled, they are masterfully expressive. I would find myself smiling at the faces, and even the eyes, of the characters. They fit so well with the various stories being told, sometimes the stories were half in the illustrations and half in text between the illustrations. They ranged from inner monologs to personal fears to experiences with the neuroses of others.

Because here’s the think about explaining why dandelions aren’t scary to a 2-year-old who is scared of dandelions: you can’t do it. I know exactly how to not be scared of dandelions, and I still couldn’t explain it. I didn’t even know where to start. I couldn’t think of a single reason why dandelions WOULD be scary.

At one point I was reading this book a bit on a Sunday morning at a local coffee shop when it hit me: when was the last time I daydreamed? The amount of creativity and non-linear thinking present in this book got me questioning how bound by the status-quo I may be and not be aware of it. Perhaps I’ve optimized my thought patterns for fitting in, getting to a solution fast, or being predictible. If given the opportunity would I even know how to break out of that mold anymore?

This string of realizations felt like a small awakening. I felt as if I had just given myself permission to not spend so much effort conforming. Maybe I did still have my own inner voice and I could start listening at any time. Hell, I could even have a conversation with it, perhaps even playfully bounce around questions and explore ideas with it. Oh, and imagine, I wouldn’t need a reason to do any of that. I could do it just for fun!

Comic

Chapters

Introduction: The Balloon

  1. Bucket
  2. Richard
  3. Neighborhood Kid
  4. Poop Mystery
  5. The Kangaroo Pig Gets Drunk
  6. Daydreams
  7. Dandelions
  8. Losing
  9. The Pile Dog 1
  10. The Pile Dog 2
  11. World’s Greatest Cup
  12. Fairness
  13. Plans
  14. The Ultimate Plan
  15. Loving-Kindness Exercise
  16. Cat
  17. Fish Video
  18. The Ugly Duckling 2
  19. Throw-and-Find
  20. Sister
  21. A Nonspecific Story About an Animal
  22. Friendship Spell
  23. Friend