Cover Image: How I Broke Up with My Colon

How I Broke Up with My Colon

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

How I Broke Up with my Colon: Fascinating, Bizarre, and True Health Stories by Nick Seluk is a comic book that explores true health stories through humor and colorful illustrations. Characters from The Awkward Yeti and it's spin-off Heart and Brain are present throughout, which makes this recommended read for fans of those characters.


There are a couple jokes that made me slightly uncomfortable. I can't remember exactly what they were, but I know one had to do with mental health. I hate it when people do that.


The only other problems I had were editing problems: seemingly blank text boxes, missing text boxes, and possibly a missing illustration. They didn't disturb the continuity of the stories much, but I hope it gets fixed my publication time.


This book will be published in March. If you're a fan of Seluk, you'll more than likely enjoy it.
Huge thanks to #NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of #HowIBrokeUpwithMyColon by #NickSeluk in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This collection was not what I expected at all(since I did not pay attention to the tagline)! It is also an infrequent occurrence for that reaction to be followed by actual enjoyment. I follow the Awkward Yeti on Instagram, previously Fb and even read the previous compilation. This time, the collection is not a set of jokes. It is the graphic narration of medical cases that actually happened to people!

By graphic narration I mean actually that. Our favourite organs play the roles of the actual organs in trouble, and the Yeti also makes some appearances. They were a combination of funny, weird, wacky and unbelievable. All the stories were a combination of all those previously mentioned descriptions, while a few were a little serious. The most comic was the one about the teeth!! I could read that one a couple of times over and laugh every time, something that I usually do not do.

I received this ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my reading experience with this one. The only bias I have is due to my previous reading of the Awkward Yeti comic strip (and therefore, familiarity with the 'organs') and enjoying the experience.

Was this review helpful?

**I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**

This book just did not work for me. I have read other The Awkward Yeti stories and loved them. I usually find what he writes very funny and a nice stress reliever. This one however, missed the mark. The stories seemed to end abruptly with no real closure and there was not much humor. In fact, most of the stories seemed horrifying and/or sad and it was really weird seeing them being portrayed as 'funny' with humorous drawings. It just felt very off.

Was this review helpful?

Seluk's latest publication is a combination of comedy and true medical stories. Now, blood and gore doesn't bother me. And, as you can see, I find cute little body parts misbehaving absolutely hilarious. These twenty-four stories of real medical are half quotes taken from real storytellers and half commentary from the cast of characters created by Seluk. Little Gallbladder made an appearance and my joy knew no bounds.

The whole collection is cleverly done and deeply funny. I finished it and immediately flipped back to the beginning to read it again. Even as a big fan of Seluk's work I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this latest work.

Body humor is just as funny to me as when I was eight. But, I know, for some people these medical stories can hit too close to home. I do have someone near and dear to me who has Crohn's Disease and I still thought the chapter on Ulcerative Colitis was funny. I just laughed and laughed. I think it is the way Seluk draws these characters. There is no malice or negativity, rather they feel like well intentioned (occasionally insightfully brilliant) children.  

And, while I feel that Seluk provides that perfect balance of humor, information, and caring in his strips, others may not. To see if this is your style I recommend checking out a series of strips he has written. I really love this series on anxiety.

Meanwhile, I'm going back in for a third read-through. I just cannot get enough of these comics!

Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. I received this copy in exchange for an honest review!

Was this review helpful?

Short but very enjoyable collection of medical stories illustrated by the artist known for The Awkward Yeti. I wish each story had been slightly more fleshed out (no pun intended!) as I love the gory details, but this was a fun and humorous read. Definitely recommended.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I am a fan of the Heart and Brain comics by The Awkward Yeti, a.k.a., Nick Seluk, so I was looking forward to reading his latest book, which I got from Netgalley.

"How I Broke Up With My Colon" illustrates interesting and often uncommon medical accidents and conditions, told in Seluk's unique brand of humor. You will see some of your favorite organs here, with a couple of new ones, all of them endearing. As a doctor many of the accounts depicted here made me laugh out loud, but you need not be a healthcare worker to understand the stories. You might even find yourself relating to some of them. 3.5 of 5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I was able to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
***
How I Broke Up With My Colon is a bunch of bizarre medical stories drawn in comic form by the hilarious Awkward Yeti/Nick Seluk. I didn’t even realize this wasn’t a Heart and Brain comic until I started to read it but that’s okay because this was amazing. A lot of these stories were just bizarre and ouch type stories. There were a small handful of wtfs thrown in but man the body is a strange, strange thing and then for The Awkward Yeti to illustrate the story just gives it a lighthearted spin.
Really interesting and enjoyable.

Was this review helpful?

Title: How I Broke Up With My Colon

Author: Nick Seluk

Genre: Nonfiction, Humor, Graphic, Comic Strip, Series.

Plot: The Awkward Yeti is a hilarious comic strip created by talented artist Nick Seluk and this is one of the books in the series featuring artistically retold stories of the funny, fascinating and bizarre medical stories readers shared with Nick.

There are 24 stories in all and each feature humorous internal organs such as Stomach, Gallbladder and two very productive kidneys, to name a few. Readers will love this collection of the medically graphic.

Likes/Dislikes: I follow The Awkward Yeti on Instagram and really enjoy the banter between Heart and Brain (who are not in this book) so getting the chance to read and review this book was a real treat. I thoroughly enjoyed it. My favorite story was the sea shell snail story. There's a lot of blood in a couple of the stories but no one dies and I wouldn't describe it as horrendously graphic but I'll mention it anyways just in case. All in all, an enjoyable book.

Rating: PG-14 and up, because of blood.

Date Reviewed: January 24th, 2020

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Netgalley for my honest opinion. I wasn't required to write a positive opinion and the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I always loved this kind of work. And one made by Nick Seluk is brilliant. I already saw most of them. They are educational and hilarious! And most of them are super cute. I never get bored of gall bladder's "I maked these". Recommend to everybody!

Was this review helpful?

As someone who loves a good medical oddity, this graphic novel/comic hit the spot. The stories are fascinating and the illustrations provide a delightfully hilarious interpretation of events. Anyone who has been in the healthcare system, especially those of us with issues that fall “outside the normal,” will enjoy finding the humor in all the ways the human body is a true hot mess.

Was this review helpful?

Cartoons of medical curiosities and stories. Cute and quick! I nice gift book or for non-serious readers.

Was this review helpful?

I love the heart and brain as well as the awkward yeti, so I was very excited to read "How I broke up with my colon".

The style of those short stories is different since doctors or patients tell about what weird stuff happened themselves. So some of those are funny cos it's so weird that you think like nobody could have imagined those stories, but some other stories are just like "now, that's it?". The art is amazing like always and I really enjoyed reading one short story after the other, but some of them I didn't got me entertained and might have cut out and replaced with some other...either way it's a fun read: 4 stars!

Thanks so much to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Was this review helpful?

This is one of those kind of books I loved reading as a kid. People tell their weird, true life stories of various injuries and ailments which Nick Seluk then illustrates. There's stories like the person who came up with a very odd way of stopping his diarrhea or the dummy who tried to trim his hedges with a lawnmower. If you like true tales of oddities and the strange, you'll like this book.

Was this review helpful?

Heart: Author and illustrator Nick Seluk has a new comic book coming out soon!

Brain: Well, Heart, it’s not about us- it’s about “fascinating, bizarre and true health stories”.

Colon: Stand back Heart and Brain, and let some other parts of the body take center stage in this comic book. In my chapter, The Breakup, I treat my human horribly and get removed.

Spine: Seluk illustrated 24 weird medical stories that different people shared with him. I star in Attack of the Spine!

Stomach: I play havoc in several stories, with a new nurse getting the brunt of my distress in the chapter Pancakes.

Kidneys: I make stones that sadly are not appreciated in the chapter The Geologist.

Gall Bladder: I’m a big big helper in the same chapter!

Butt: Some people are complete idiots with their body, as in the solution my human came up with to prevent diarrhea in MacGyver Syndrome.

Testicle: Although the less precise medical terms nuts was used in my chapter The Shark That Went Nuts, this last chapter included the craziest story with a shark that bit my human in a very delicate location.

Eyes: Be on the lookout for this book in March, drawn in Selak’s trademark adorable anthropomorphism-like style. Thanks to NetGalley for this early copy.

Brain: Until next time! For more comic books in the Awkward Yeti series read: Heart and Brain, Gut Instincts, and Body Language.

Was this review helpful?

I have been a fan of The Awkward Yeti for some time and this book certainly does not disappoint. Featuring some weird and wonderful stories - including a very murderous spine - and lots of laugh out loud moments, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

I read this book in one go and, despite being almost 200 pages, it did not feel its length at all. I thoroughly recommend although some of the stories you might need a strong stomach for! Oh, and that gall bladder! So adorable!

Was this review helpful?

I've always enjoyed the Heart and Brain comics from the Awkward Yeti, so it wasn't surprising to find myself enjoying How I Broke Up With My Colon, even if it does veer away from the stuff we're used to.

Nick Seluk illustrates two dozen medical stories narrated to him by those who experienced them, ranging from the minor to the serious, the weird to the funny. The stories were often interesting and hilarious, and Seluk's style definitely adds to the humour. As someone with a lot of health issues of my own and an accident-prone nature, it was also pretty easy to relate to many of them. A few of them did make me cringe a bit, but not because the storytelling or art was flawed, but because we all have those one or two things that make us feel a touch squeamish.

If you enjoy Seluk's other work, you'll enjoy this. If wild medical tales draw you in, you'll enjoy this. I definitely enjoyed it, for the humour, the relatability, and the opportunity to learn a bit about illnesses and conditions I wasn't familiar with.

Was this review helpful?

I love The Awkward Yeti and dove right into this one.
This isn't as funny as usual books. How I Broke Up with My Colon tells true stories of health issues. Some are poignant, some ridiculous but each is touched with Nick Seluk's humor.
As someone with chronic health issues, I didn't find many of them funny. I know the pain first hand. I had more admiration for these people and their journeys. So know this isn't the same kind of book. Go in understanding their is outrageous and funny stories but also those that stir you deeply.

Was this review helpful?

Detailed illustrations of hilarious, weird, and just plain gross medical stories. A saliva gland giving birth to a popcorn kernel, organs in the wrong place, and so much more. If you have a slightly twisted sense of humor, you're going to enjoy this book.

Was this review helpful?

I received a copy from Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

As someone with digestive "issues," I think it's best to laugh at one's discomfort. I recommend you go out and purchase a copy today. You'll thoroughly enjoy it!!

Was this review helpful?

The Awkward Yeti is not only an online comic strip I follow, but also a comic strip that the majority of my social media friends also follow. Scarcely a day goes by where I don’t see Heart and Brain being shared, and I loved all three of the previous books.

HOW I BROKE UP WITH MY COLON surprised me, as I didn’t know I could possibly like this new collection more than all previous. It took a great and already well appreciated format and, using it to tell the real life stories, made it even more connectable than ever before. Personally, “The Scar” hit home because I was there just a few years ago.

If you are already a fan, pick it up. If you know someone going through a medical situation that needs some cheering, pick it up. If you enjoy laughing but have never seen anything of these comics before...pick it up and know that you will find yourself looking at all the back comics online after you have read it.

Was this review helpful?