Cover Image: WTF, Dorkus!

WTF, Dorkus!

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Member Reviews

This was an informative piece on an incredibly hard topic! I only wish my guidance counsellors in high school had a resource like this

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I thought the book was cute and funny. I think most of my middle school student would enjoy the book.

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This book was ment to deal with such a sensitive subject matter but unfortunately i don’t think it managed to do that. The description of mental illness in this was so off i don’t think anyone reading it who doesn’t really understand mental illness will have any clearer a picture on it.

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Not exactly what I was expecting. Disappointed, actually. in a way it's interesting to read about a teen actually taking on a shrink about various teen issues, even enlightening, but no, couldn't finish the book. Sorry. I am sure there are YAs and even adults out there who will enjoy this book. Just not my style.

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I reviewed this book under the title 'Suicide Tango'.

Unsure about how to react to Tripsy’s unusual behavior, let alone how to treat her, Dr. Moore embarks on a deep emotional journey that forces him to examine his own past, present and future, not only as a psychiatrist but as a human being. Structured as doctor's personal notes, WTF, Dorkus! takes you on a wild roller-coaster ride of emotions, thoughts and beliefs, and introduces some hard facts about American teens in the throes of anxiety, depression and suicidal behavior. Will Dr. Moore survive this young girl’s storming into his life and educating him in ways he never imagined?

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This novel (recently retitled "Suicide Tango") did elicit really strong emotions for me - unfortunately, they weren't positive ones. I had a whole host of issues with this book, but here are the main ones. The writer completely missed the mark on accurately describing mental illness, a working therapist-patient relationship, and how people actually experience suicidality. I get that the author was trying to write a satire, but that form has to be based in reality to work. Instead, this felt completely irresponsible. Now, anyone who reads this will think teenagers who are suicidal are merely acting out to get attention or that it's perfectly okay for a male medical professional to describe how intoxicated he is by his young female patient (and not in an intriguing, artistic Nabokov way). Additionally, I don't think the author has actually spent time around teenagers in order to write their dialogue (no, 2019 teenagers do not use the words 'rents, dorkus, hooter (smokes), etc.). And to top it off, casual racism was thrown in there about Mexican immigrants, Chinese people, and Muslims. I could not have been more offended by the tone and content of this piece. Not sure who this will be marketed to but it should not be read by YAs (or adults who can't discern the inaccuracies of the story).

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I struggled through to 20% and then DFN'd. I couldn't really follow much of what was happening; it's all stream of consciousness, big words sandwiched in here and there, leaps of topic we're expected to follow along on. It's a shame, because what I could follow was interesting, but this title isn't for me. I hope it finds its' home and does very well with other readers who might enjoy it better.

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This is really just a girly novel in which the author flaunts her use of the English language. Filled with witty humor and sarcasm, the novel deliberately makes light of suicide by presenting the protagonist as some flippant, mischievous, teenage girl who would most likely grab a Starbucks and post memes about how terrible it must be to be single.

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Written from the perspective of a psychiatrist, WTF, Dorkus explores the reasons that teens might commit suicide told through the voice of Tripsy, the patient. I didn't enjoy this book and I think its because it wasn't realistic to me. This psychiatrist borders on creepy pedophile at times as he appreciates the beauty of his teenage patient, he never acts on any of the feelings that he has but it just gave me the creeps that he would even express the things he expresses about Tripsy. It wasn't that this book was poorly written, it just wasn't my cup of tea.

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Everything you think you know about suicidal patients in general and teenaged suicidal patients in particular - backwards.

TRIPSY educates her shrink, who is a useless loser with daddy issues (and very inappropriate thoughts about his patient) on how teenagers feel about friends, school, forever and other life issues.

There are some very funny moments as the role of therapist and patient are reversed and the funniest moments come from the digressions of the doctor, who is absolutely in no way in control of this entire relationship.

TRIPSY, who is also credited with writing this satire, steers her therapist through the quagmire of teenage depression, teenage suicide and the reasons for this decline in teenage mental health. She puts it all on the shrink (aka dorkus) and the 'rents.

' Rents are so despised they do not merit the use of the entire word - parents. Parents are even more clueless when it comes to teenagers than dorkus is, and that's saying a lot.

Although teenage suicide is a very serious subject, bear in mind that this book is both a parody and a satire and the opinions reflected therein should not be taken seriously.

I rate this book 3 stars and don't recommend it to anyone with any serious mental health issues.

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South's Suicide Tango, previously title WTF, Dorkus, is an illuminating, gallows humour look at teen suicide via dialogue between Tripsy and the psychiatrist she decides to claim as a confidant. She waltzes into Dr Jon Moore's office one day, changing his life forever. Over the course of a year, she and the doc have some serious, in-depth discussions. The unexpected encounter paves the way for an alchemic transformation at the hands of the precocious, sarcastic enigma that is Tripsy, for both the good doctor, and the persistent reader.

Teen suicide is a serious subject, a rising epidemic. And yet, it and the underlying reasons behind it, are a subject considered taboo. Tripsy shines a harsh light on the topic, showing that it's more shame and denial on society's part, than any intrinsic damnation that makes suicide a forbidden topic.

I found this a difficult read, both for the topic, and then writing style. It took me some time to get used to the latter. The former should never be 'gotten used to’ though, part of Tripsy's point. Some may find the gallows humour offensive. If you do, perhaps take a look at your own notions regarding the issue. Such humour is the natural, protective reaction of someone confronted daily with horror to leave you weeping otherwise. As one who was involved for a time with forensics, I fully understand. It's a protection that allows you to keep your sanity, and doesn't mean your sensitivity is lost. Along the same lines, I think the title change is a positive one. WTF, Dorkus comes across as trite and childish even. The new title fits more with Tripsy's personality, in my opinion.

Full of wry observations, and justifiable outrage, Suicide Tango is a must read for everyone. It's only through confronting the issue head on, with openness of mind and heart alike, that we can begin to turn the tide. Take the chance. Be part of the change.

***Many thanks to Netgalley/ Adagio for providing an ecopy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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I thought that this book took a humorous approach to deal with teen suicide and I did enjoy that parts of the book rang true like when he talks about how children's minds work so differently from adults, especially their ability to tell time and see that there is a light at the end of all that pain. As someone who worked through cutting and depression as a teen and young adult, I could relate. However, I also found a lot of parts off-putting, such as when the author uses words like atavistic and ensconced without really anything to define them. I also found things like "seems the Chinese were all about spreading their piss and crap to the farthest reaches of America" and "for Chinese please press three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or nine" to be racist and stereotypical. There was a lot of racism and sexism in this book that I thought it could do without. I also thought that the end seemed almost to be an afterthought like there wasn't really anywhere else thought up for how the book to end so this seemed as good an idea as any.

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This book is unlike anything I have ever read before. It takes an unflinching look at suicidal teens, but does so with sensitivity, humor, and honesty. It's not an easy read, but well worth the journey. All I can say is WOW!

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Intense ~ Emotional ~ Triggering

tl;dr: Teen deals with emotional issues.

WOW, this is a surprising and hard to categorize book. The story is intense from the first page, and then the reader is taken down a truthful and emotionally bare path. For those people who have never thought about suicide, the ideas are completely surprising and eye-opening. But whatever your past and your mental health situation, this whole book is triggering, important, but triggering. I don't know what else to say without giving away much, though I need to say that you will feel sad. I would recommend this to parents of teens, certainly.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Wtf, Tripsy?!

This book had me speared through the heart. As a person with mental illness that flirted and dabbled with suicide in my teenage years, I cried and felt stabbed by the chapters of this book.
It is real, intensely real. It feels so real, that even though Tripsy writes that it's a work of fiction, part of me doubts that, because for many of us during teenagehood, we are Tripsy and reading this novel is like feeling a war cry rattle through your bones.
It's furious, and funny, and heartbreaking. It's maddening and blurs the lines between reality and fiction.
I cried as I was hurt all over again, but they were tears of catharsis.
This book belongs in every library, in every ya section, in every adult section. It might be fiction, but the meat of the topics within are most definitely not.
Tight and raw writing, highly recommended to pretty much anyone.

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