It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth

A six month record in the life of cartoonist Zoe Thorogood and how she feels as her life falls apart and how she survives. This was such an interesting book, you get to see a young woman's struggle with mental health in a difficult time, you get to see her thoughts and mindset as she deals with anxiety, depression, and imposter syndrome. This was really fun to read and you really empathize a lot with Zoe, I found myself relating to a lot of her struggles and feelings, and the depiction of her struggles was so well done. Overall, I would definitely recommend it!

*Thanks Netgalley and Image Comics for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

This is a wholly inventive book that kept me intrigued with every turn of the page. I loved getting a glimpse into the author’s thought process and the meta narrative really drew me in.

This is my favorite book of the year despite coming out a year ago. I know Thorogood hates the word “relatable” but it was cathartic to read about someone like me and who is also a creative. I loved how she used every art form imaginable to speak her mind and the things that happened in 6 months. Text messages, photos, realistic art, monsters, caricatures. It felt unbound which works for the story of the past 6 months of her life. I will definitely buy a physical copy soon and reading it left a pit In my stomach. I even wrote a new poem while reading so that says something. It glued me from beginning to end. My only issue is the NetGalley app. It kept blanking pages and crashing but in spite of that I pushed through and finished it in one sitting with a few breaks sprinkled in. I loved this book and I can’t wait to read more of Thorogood’s work in the future.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own.

Wow, the art? Stunning. I’ve never felt more visually represented on a page in terms of how depression feels. We prickly pear people aren’t always sunshine. Seeing someone grapple with this and how to grow was so refreshing. Loved this.

First of all, Zoe Thorogood is an amazing artist.

This really felt like stream of consciousness to me, and not in a bad way. To me, the changes in art style and the different stories she told really highlighted the issues she wanted to discuss that were present in her life, and how she viewed herself. Reading the book really just felt like I was having a conversation with Zoe as she was telling me about her life.

I think if you're someone who struggles with depression or any other mental illness, you may find yourself having a hard time reading this. Some parts of this book were hard for me to read, because it almost felt like taking a magnifying glass to the inadequacies of my own life and experiences. Others may not like that, but I kind of did. It reminded me to be kinder to myself and others, because you really just don't know what's going on under their skin.

This was exactly what I needed for waiting at the airport as I was able to finish it pretty much in one sitting! I love Zoe’s illustrations/artwork and was very impressed with how good she it’s with different styles (some more realistic while others are like cartoons). I found it a really interesting read, and this is actually my first graphic novel and I would read more from her.

Definitely recommend, especially if you are sleep deprived and cannot focus on reading a regular book.

Thank you for letting me read this NetGally!

Thank you NetGalley for providing this comic in return for a review:

Before reading this autobio, I unfortunately hadn't read anything else by Zoe Thorogood and now I wish I knew of her beforehand. The story is raw and emphasizes the anxiety of having a 'story' to a self-reflection when the author can barely control her own emotions.

This was a very personal piece that is reachable to the audience while reading. Anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and imposter syndrome are all feelings that are often talked about in other media to bring mental health awareness. But rarely show what it is like when you struggle with wanting to be better but not fully understanding how.

This book hit me in the feels. The theme here is depression, and in that aspect, it’s a challenging read for me. I probably wouldn’t recommend this to those who are in the midst of an emotional crisis, but I can’t say for sure either. My big takeaway was that the artist here is incredibly talented, and I look forward to reading future work from them. Something about a “silent hill ripoff” is mentioned and it sounds perfect paired with this style.

Haunting, visceral, dark look into the artist trials with mental health. I love the message and the art is top tier. Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

*reviewed from ebook courtesy of publisher via netgalley*

graphic semi-autobiographical memoir (true thoughts and feelings with fantastical imaginative elements), a 23 y.o. UK comic artist dealing with depression/suicidal ideation and crippling social anxiety while working and attending a comics convention and meeting an artist friend/potential boyfriend in the US; 196 pp.

Skillfully rendered, with gorgeously imaginative illustrations/layouts and an impactful storyline. It's clear that Thorogood has put a lot of thought and care into this, and it has paid off in this brilliantly human graphic memoir. It's fairly heartbreaking to read, when all you want to do is try to comfort Zoe but of course her problems aren't that simple.

"it's okay to not be okay, until someone is faced with the reality of you not being okay. then, it is not okay to not be okay." ~ me, 2023 (some random thought that materialized when thinking about how stigma sucks!)

wowww..im utterly speechless after reading this one. I don't even know where to start but I guess I'll just start here. depression is messy. it's also not the same for everyone (the onset of it, the duration, and the highs and lows) especially if you have different forms of depression, manic depression (bpd), mdd etc. zoe does an EXCEPTIONAL job of illustrating this and her own experiences of depression in "it's lonely at the centre of the universe." Typically in mainstream media, we tend to see depression look the same and very dramatic, and sometimes (sadly) romanticized. but zoo's experience is unique to herself, yet still relatable and familiar to many.

in regards to telling her story, zoe doesn't follow the "rules" and that's okay. there is no right or wrong way to tell a story especially your own story. I get some people may not be a fan of the storytelling and narration, but it's really not for you to truly understand. well yes, but no.
some side notes:
-i like how author addresses stigma

-FOUJD DAMILY IS MYBFAVOIRTE TROPE SHEE SP RELATVLE

-Queen refs

-uhh the author might be autistic. some of her experiences were so relatable and similar to me being an undiagnosed, autistic female. i think she should look into assessment:")

-her art is so pretty!

Beautiful and brilliant. This book is one that is sure to stay with me long after ha ING finished it. Highly relatable to another artist suffering from depression.

A dark, reflective metanarrative "auto-bio-graphic-novel" that explores the author's struggles with anxiety and depression through fourth-wall breaks and various art styles. This book is the definition of "NO PLOT, JUST VIBES" and I was HERE for it. From the (*shudders*) relateable subject matter to the breathtaking art styles to the innovative structure of this graphic novel memoir, It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth screams "i am just a human trying my best." Because of its lack of plot, this book will NOT be for everyone (as shown by its divisive Goodreads reviews). But, when it hits, it HITS, and that's what I love about this book. It's not trying to be something great, it just *is.* This is probably one of my favorite graphic novel memoirs of all times (I know, I've been saying that a lot lately, but I mean it!) and I will definitely be checking out more of Zoe Thorogood's works. While this book may not be for everyone, it certainly was for me <3

The art is beautiful and I also liked the various characters as manifestations of past selves/anxiety/depression, but did now wholly jibe with the project in its entirety. This is clearly more the case of my own (more advanced) age, and would still recommend this for high school libraries.

This was one of the most heartfelt books I have ever read. I also struggle with depression and I felt so genuinely seen while reading this. The way the author loses train of thought and sense of timelines while confronting their feelings; I related to that sensation immensely. The art felt like seeing myself, my brain displayed through someone else's eyes. This was brilliant and it gave me hope for the future. I feel less alone after reading this.

Posted on Goodreads:

First, thank you to the author, image comics and netgalley for allowing me to read an ebook for this masterpiece.

TW: unaliving, depression

I can't help but thank Zoe for creating this work of perfection. There are reasons as to why people with mental health issues do not come forward. And the 1 star rate review is a good example to why.

This graphic novel follows Zoe for six months and her deep troubles with unaliving and severe depression. This was so raw, real and heavy and accurately represented what it's like to be in that mindset. I saw myself from 25 years ago in these pages. The lurking monster always there, the self deprecating thoughts, the knowing you're close and you're afraid of that, the parents that just don't fully understand the full scope of what's going on.

The artwork was fantastic and truly captured the chaotic stream of conscious that can take over.

I need to buy a copy for myself. I need it in my library.

Favorite quote: "Life is merely a collection of good and bad experiences loosely held together by the void in between-and that void is your space to mold, a space to harness and create in. Just be careful not to get stuck there."

Zeo Thorogood documents six months of her life. The result is a meditation on depression and how it informs and deforms every aspect of your life.

There were times when her depiction of depression was—as the running joke in the book goes—“relatable”. Other times what she managed to capture on the page was terrifying. There are aspects of depression that I still hide from people, not necessarily because of what they will think of me, but because of how they will worry about me.

And yet, Thorogood manages to capture this in all its horrific detail. There is an admirable bravery in doing this.

I’d recommend this book for anyone that has a loved on that suffers from depression. But be warned, this is not the sanitized version of depression that you usually get—enough so that you understand, but not enough so that you are freaked out. This gets at how truly horrendous it is to have to live with, negotiate with, be entangled with overwhelming depression.

I don’t think I’ve ever read a book more open and honest than this.

Zoe Thorogood was the artist for a comic series called Rain which I loved. When I saw this I just had to read it. Great concept and characters.

I really enjoyed this book, at times it hit way too close to home. I like how the ending shows the mc still has a bit of hope left for her future :)

As always, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!!

A graphic novel memoir about the authors struggle with depression. I absolutely love the art style of this! So creative! I enjoyed the 4th wall breaks. Kind of gave me Donnie Darko vibes.

I liked how It’s ‘Lonely at the Centre of the Earth’ covers so many aspects of the author’s depression as well as other peoples experiences of it.
It is a very expansive read and the artwork is beautifully done to reflect the text and sentiments of the book.

What a rollercoaster. I really loved the way she mixed certain panels with real photos. It feels weird giving a review of someone's life. So I'm not going to. And I'm certainly not going to use the word "relatable." I can say as someone who has experienced depression, that this does allow a small peak into what it is like.

I will be buying myself and everyone else I know a copy of this. It is such a raw insight of life. Not just as an artist.
I needed this without even realizing it.

Depression can make everything much more difficult than it looks. Getting out of bed can be a nearly insurmountable challenge, let alone putting a pen to paper to draw or to write. Add a global pandemic into the mix, and it's truly astonishing that Zoe Thorogood got anything done at all - but get it done she did. She persevered, at times kicking and screaming, sure, to document six months of her life in comic book form. IT'S LONELY AT THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH is the result of that.

I'd not read Thorogood's work before, but I was struck by the beautiful artwork and the insightful self-examination that was offered up in this book. She puts herself under the microscope revealing warts and all - or mask-induced acne outbreaks. She examines the dark side of herself, and the difficulty of reaching success and still not finding happiness. Other reviewers have called her pretentious and self-absorbed, and I'm sure she calls herself that as well, but often-times this is part of the process of just living with depression.

It would be a cliche to call this book relatable, but I'd be pretty darn surprised if a lot of creative types didn't relate to, and feel sympathy for her over the course of reading this. Everyone struggles to some degree, I can only hope that she finds some peace and happiness in her life. One of the most damaging cliches of the artistic world is that you have to hate yourself and be depressed in order to create. These things can be managed if you put the work in and get the right help.

There's hope out there, and I imagine this book will help an awful lot of people find hope in their own lives, too. I hope Zoe finds it in her own life.

An introspective, at times unnerving and ultimately (for me) relatable (ha!) peek inside the mind of someone flailing, swimming and trying not to drown inside their mind. I appreciate this book, and the fact that it exists, immensely.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

If you are someone who has struggled with depression, with your self-worth and confidence, and trying to find meaning through art, this is a tough read. I will admit, I had to take breaks reading this novel, mostly because I didn't feel like I was reading a novel, but rather looking into a mirror. To use the dreaded word of the hour, a lot of what Zoe went through IS relatable. Her struggles with her depression, her struggles with her suicidal ideation, and her struggles with her art. This novel is real, it's raw, and at times uncomfortable. Her art is visually stunning and the mixture of styles and even inclusion of photography elements is gorgeous. Her full-page illustrations are impactful and wonderful to look at. I had not heard of her other words before reading this, but I will be seeking them out.

How do you review an autobio comic that makes it clear that the author hates to be perceived without feeling like a jerk? Proceed on the assumption that they also like to be paid for their work and the review machine is a very small part of that? Hmm.

Anyway, this good - timely, stylish, weird. I read a lot of autobio comics in the early 2000's and this feels similar, but modernized. It has the painful, intellectualized self-awareness that seems to be one of the hallmarks of the latest generation of young writers. If that sounds like I'm being pretentious (maybe?) or that it might be a tedious exercise in navel-gazing be assured: It has the style and craft to pull it off. Really knows how to use comics as a form, which is a delight to see. Very curious to see how that craft is applied in the author's fiction; if it's a as good as this I think I'll like that even more.

An amazing graphic novel. To start, the artwork is amazing. Beautiful in nature and striking in its own right, the art pops and shows confidence and power. This work was so reflective to me as it resembled, in my eyes, an honest portrait of life itself. I truly felt like Zoe through how depression and life were depicted here, and I think many will as well. While some parts can be a bit slow, this work usually pops from page to page with precision and understanding that is beautifully empowered by creative and thoughtful artwork. Upon reflection and re-reading, I would argue the slow moments are actually brilliant in articulating the timeline of the work and the many fragments of emotion that hit our lead. This work feels like reading a beautiful, fun conception of emotions rarely captured as detailed in comics I have read recently. Along with all of this, there were many jokes that made me get out of my chair and laugh with glee, a true delight in that aspect as well. A great, fun, emotional read that touches on many deep concepts wonderfully!

Zoe is a fantastic illustrator! A very meaningful autobiography. Zoe if you’re reading this you’re super funny and this story was very meaningful. The way you illustrate is so fun and trippy, i love it. Don’t give up even if you only help one person. And with this book I’m sure you’ve helped millions. Will be picking up more of her books.

Full review at link below.

This book is difficult to love and impossible not to.

The self-deprecating, faux-narcissistic, depressive, dark humour is just too – sorry Zoe, I’m going to say it – relatable.

For those like me – especially fellow creatives – who have lived experience of mental illness, this ‘auto-bio-graphic-novel’ is a must-read.

I say this with the caveat that the author pulls no punches in her depiction of the depths of mental illness. In fact, she includes her own content warning.

The vibe is kind of like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off if Cameron was the main character. Except instead of destroying his dad’s car, he gets an STD and a broken heart.

I love how Zoe experiments with different styles throughout the book. The story flows seamlessly, despite the staccato changes in colour, layout, form, etc. It’s a great representation of the bumpy spiral-turned-whirlwind of mental illness.

That search for meaning, purpose, and identity; the horror of being perceived and the fear of disappearing entirely; simultaneously craving and recoiling from connection and the subsequent vulnerability.

The fact that Zoe manages to inject humour into this undeniably depressing book is a credit to her skill as an artist. To make me as the reader feel like I wanted to laugh, cry, write a poem, and punch myself in the face all at the same time is quite an achievement.

This isn’t the kind of A-to-B, linear, formulaic mental illness story where the protagonist goes from sad to happy, running off into the sunset with a grateful wave to their trauma for all the “good lessons”.

There is disappointment. There are failures. There is self-sabotage and unanswered questions and the author doesn’t tie up all the loose ends with a neat bow. It’s messy. It’s ambiguous. It’s real.

“… maybe life is just about those good f*ckin’ sandwiches.”

I mean, she’s not wrong. I do love a good sandwich.

A look into how suicidal depression can shape one’s life and outlook. How isolated one can feel in their own mind and how kindness can mean the difference between life and death

The art in this book was entrancing, and the story was addictive. I was first hooked by the way art changed styles and yet seemed to still all fit together seamlessly. As I read I was drawn in even more by the narrative, what I read felt raw and real. I enjoyed this book and found it a unique graphic novel that stands out from the others I’ve read.

a masterclass on the way mental health impacts the creative process. i really appreciated the distinct art styles reflecting different manifestations of zoe’s struggles, and thorogood as an author excels at creating a narrative that is discombobulating by nature, truly highlighting a disjointed psyche. i often don’t read graphic novels a second time but this one i just might reread.

Note: I received access to read this book from the publisher for free. That doesn't influence my opinion on it, but it is worth disclosing.

RELATABLE.
Gosh, I loved this. Review done.

Thanks to netgalley for an advanced copy for an honest review

An amazing read, the artwork is great and it is a very meaningful autobiography.

It’s lonely at the centre of the earth can be a bit of a difficult read as the subject matter but it is worth it.
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This will be a relatable book for many, as it captures emotions and depression well, expressing how the author is feeling over the 6 month period recorded.
The art work is incredible, showing a mix of different styles that will leave any reader in awe.
Can be a difficult read at some points but overall a beautiful book with stunning art, however I would’ve liked to be able to read it on my kindle as this would have made viewing easier, but this option was unavailable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Image Comics for a copy of this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

This is an autobiographical graphic memoir covering a six month period in the author's life. It covers ups, and downs, plans made and changed, self-doubt, and fighting depression. It is an emotional read.
The artwork is gorgeous, with a range of styles employed throughout.

If you enjoy autobiographical graphic novels, or authors like Tillie Walden, check this one out.

Thanks to Image Comics and NetGalley for an ARC of this dazzling autobio graphic novel!

5 out of 5⭐ for a physical reflection of deep and painful woes so similar to my own.

It's Lonely at the Center of the Earth is a deep dive into the psyche of comic artist Zoe Thorogood, and it is a beautiful, mesmerizing journey.

The composition, scene transitions, and various stylizations used throughout the novel keep the eyes thoroughly engaged. The use of animal heads on everyone but Zoe, her family, and those featured in flashbacks is such a prominent way to illustrate the isolation she feels from the world--even her loved ones, as they are expressed akin to one of her stylized selves and not drawn fully representative to how they look.

Thorogood is a master at pinpointing the mental havoc mental illness plays on you and those around you, and the Embodiment of Depression that haunts her looks as vividly evil as it feels when it's weighing down on your chest crippling every decision you make, or refuse to make.

I wish Thorogood healing on her journey & am thankful for her bravery on being open. It's a conversation that doesn't happen enough.

I have never resonated with anything more! And I’m not sure how I feel about that ha
This is a wonderfully raw account of mental health and I’ve never quite found anything that is as truthful as this. Sad girls - this is the book for you

"It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth is an intimate and meta-narrative look into the life of a selfish artist who must create for her own survival. A poignant and original depiction of a young woman's struggle with mental health—through the ups and downs of anxiety, depression, and imposter syndrome—as she forges a promising career in sequential art and finds herself along the way."

Amazing art style and different POV. A bit harder to read so I suggest checking the TW/CW before jumping in. I'm not sure if I got a defective copy of this but I thought the book was hard to follow with multiple blank pages... Might be a user-problem rather than the book. Though it was hard to follow, I still thought it was a wonderful depiction of how someone with mental health struggle cope with everyday life!

This book is some pretty big topics. It is emotional and not an easy read, but it is well done. A little odd at times, but a powerful look at life.

4 stars

As someone who has dealt with depression her entire life this was one of the most accurate depictions of the struggle I’ve ever read. Beautiful art that felt real and raw with how it changed as she told her story.

I was pleasantly surprised by my first attempt at a graphic novel that took a biographical approach. The conversation around mental health and childhood translates perfectly to Zoe’s art and I enjoyed myself so much more than I expected! Thank you Image Comics and Netgalley for the digital arc!

I really connected with this story. This is a graphic memoir of a young comic artist who is struggling with mental health, self doubt, and just life altogether. God it was so relatable and I just felt really understood by the author and them I read some reviews where they said they were annoyed because she was wallowing in her depression which I thought was just so funny. Like maybe yeah she does a bit but it’s sometimes very hard not to when you are depressed and it’s definitely not like in the way that many people used to romanticize depression like 10 years ago (particularly on tumblr). So sure maybe some people found her annoying but I got it. Also the formatting and the use of multimedia was just so creative and I really loved (again some reviews were calling it self indulgent and pointless). So obviously it’s not for everyone but I really connected with it and it worked for me. I’d recommend it especially for people who have dealt with mental health but would advise checking content warnings.

I had the pleasure of delving into It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth by Zoe Thorogood, and it's a strikingly self-aware journey. Zoe lays bare her own flaws and struggles, making this graphic novel an intimate and metanarrative exploration of her life as an artist desperately piecing it together. Reading it feels like a direct confrontation, a book calling out its creator, and it's an enthralling experience that I thoroughly enjoyed.

What truly captivated me was Zoe's ability to convey her state of mind through diverse art styles and her ingenious manipulation of text and format. It's as if her brain is unravelling with each page, resulting in beautifully distorted storytelling. The art is exceptional, the writing is compelling, and the overall execution is masterful. If you're looking for a thought-provoking and artistically rich narrative, I highly recommend giving this book a read. My thanks go to Netgalley and Image Comics for providing the eBook copy that allowed me to explore this remarkable work.

This was very interesting, funny, and very introspective. Liked how it is a meta narrative can have different storytelling perspectives about mundane life! She's being vulnerable but she makes her struggles relatable. She takes her words and molds it into visual art. It is pretty more graphic and visceral in the colors. This graphic novel is autobiographical has some very raw dialogue between flashback scenes. It is for adults though...It's a very good novel that is short yet has a lot of depth to it.