This book was odd. I think it appeals to a certain group of people, but I was not a fan. I liked the message, though the plot was shakey (purposefully so).

Thanks to the publisher Image Comics. Inc and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest book review.

I really enjoyed this innovative graphic memoir about Thorogood’s experience of depression. This graphic memoir hops around in time, draws attention to the artifice of what it is to be a writer, pastiches a videogame and melds genres.

The examination of what it is to be depressed to the point of being suicidal makes this an important account and a reminder that nothing is permanent and that things do get better. After all in the author’s own words "this book was not supposed to exist".

I would recommend this book to those that are interested in the graphic novel form as I think that the meta narrative that runs through it is groundbreaking. It’s an important book and could well be instructive and helpful to someone experiencing depression. The need for a more open discussion around mental health has been highlighted even more by the recent tragic suicide of the author’s brother. A graphic novel worthy of a wide audience.

A stellar, beautiful, and hard memoir. The writing and illustration are lovely and reflect both the beauty and the challenge of mental illness.

“It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth” written by Zoe Thorogood (4 Stars) is an excellent, but painful read about the artist's self-reflection on living with her own depression and through the stress and strain of a global pandemic.

This graphic memoir is difficult to read at times. Zoe’s self - loathing, her obvious desire to live but not be, and her brutal confessional style all make this hard to read and hard to put down. She does an amazing job of describing the imbalance of self-loathing coupled with self-obsession that depression requires, and ‘watching’ her battle to live, and celebrate, and enjoy, while she desperately doesn’t want to exist at all is one that I’ve seen and struggled with alongside deeply depressed loved ones. I both want to share and want to not share this book from young adults that I know, that might benefit from seeing another with similar thoughts and responses.

As always, I appreciate the opportunity afforded me to have an early read by netgalley and Image Comics, as well as the author. The opinions in this review are expressly those of ButIDigressBookClub and are intended for use by my followers and friends when choosing their next book. #butidigress #butidigressbookclub #itslonelyatthecentreoftheearth #zoethorogood #netgalley #netgalleyreviewer #arc #arcs

Details
Review Shared on Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6812028260
Publishing Review 09/29/2024

This was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. I found it unfortunately easy to relate to Zoe Thorogood and the comic is beautifully illustrated but does handle some difficult topics so I would advise checking trigger warnings before delving in.
Thank you to NetGalley & Image Comics for an eArc in exchange for an honest review.

Was a lovely read, I enjoyed how raw it was. Zoe felt very relatable and put emotions that I personally could never properly explain into perfectly nuanced panels and dialogues. I look forward to reading more from this author.

"I'm gonna be scared, alone... heartbroken, travelling thousands of miles to find myself- with nothin' but the worms in my head and the art on my back!"

Heartwarming and heartbreaking all at once. Heavily relatable for those of us that struggle with severe depression, especially living with severe depression as an artist who makes a living off their art. It's hard to separate the two sometimes, but the author reminded me that both can and do exist at once, and we continue on despite it all.

Massive thanks to Netgalley for this.

Zoe is a comic book artist, writing about writing a graphic novel during the pandemic over the down of 6 months. She was meant to travel to the U.S. but that gets postponed. She's suffering from depression and had suffered with suicidal ideation since her teenage years.

This comic is autobiographical and very internal in introspection. I really enjoyed the art style and appreciated how depression is depicted. Obviously there's some heavy topics covered, so mind the trigger warning.

Thank you to Image Comics for an egalley on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This book was published published 11/15/22.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and I am so thankful I had the opportunity to read this book! This book was so raw from the meaning to the visuals. The visuals were both beautiful and uncomfortable which is an underlying theme of the book. I don’t often re-read books, but due to the diverse style of each page, I can see myself reaching for this book again. This book is going to stick with me for life.

This book is definitely a hard hitter. I suggest everyone see the TW before starting it.

That being said it is a unique look into someone's life falling apart, deep depression, and what it takes to build it back up again.

Really enjoyed this book! So much that I went out and bought a physical copy! The book was very enjoyable and the illustrations were really good

I finished this book 10 days ago and have let it sit with me before reviewing. I got a copy of this book through NetGalley and thoroughly appreciate getting the opportunity to read and review it. Zoe’s art style captures a really dark period of time in her life in a way that brings you in along for the journey. She has a variety of styles for drawing herself, and uses them to show many facets of herself.
This book was an incredible read while also being tough to get through. Real life can sometimes be tough, and I respect that Zoe didn’t water any of that down but kept all the rough, raw edges to this period in her life.

I normally don't read autobiographical comics but this one is very good, I really liked the art style and the designs of the characters and creatures and most of the artwork is very beautiful.

Thanks to Image Comics and NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved this book, and it inspired me to start making my own comics. Zoe's raw honesty was refreshing to see on the page. I wish I could read this again for the first time. I'll certainly be finding a spot for this one on my shelf.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this title. We need to destigmatize talking about and treatment for mental health. It affects every single being on this planet.

Insightful at times, self indulgent at others. Not really my thing but I think people with similar experiences would enjoy.

Thanks NetGalley for the arc.
Pros of the comic I liked the topic and how open she was about her mental heath struggles and hardships, which is very relatable to my own. But having said that their was a few cons at times it was hard to read, seemed a bit scatter brained and the change of art styles took me a bit to get use to. Not sure I fully enjoyed it.

Zoe has struggled with depression her entire life and despite the success of her first graphic novel, doesn’t feel deserving of it or that she has anything else to offer the world. What is even the point of life?

If I had read this when I was around her age, I definitely would have related a lot. This graphic novel was very unique and meta in its storytelling and drawing styles. It was like she was figuring it out as she went, and thats quite a feat to allow yourself to do that rather than get overwhelmed by a perfect story/lesson.

Firstly, the art was UNREAL. Some of the panels really reminded me of Madoka Magica, which is one of my favorite shows with an equally awesome art style. Secondly, this book seriously felt like looking in a mirror. I loved how her mental health journey was non-linear, which is a lot more realistic than a lot of mental health books portray it to be.

This was such a raw and emotional depiction of depression, suicidal ideation and heavy struggles with mental illness whilst trying to navigate life, relationships, self doubt, career possibilities and all the other human things we have to encounter in our lives as we just try to keep on keeping on. I loved the varied art style and illustration, particularly the monstrous depiction of her depression, and the non-linear narration both really lent themselves to the claustrophobic feeling of being trapped by your feelings.

I think this beautiful graphic novel will be hugely relatable (GASP - shock horror!) to an audience who will very much appreciate its existence and the story it tells. However I would absolutely urge readers to be aware of trigger warnings and heavy thematic content so one to read when you feel in a place to do so.