#56- It's Kind of a Funny Story By Ned Vizzini

#56- It's Kind of a Funny Story

Rating- 9/10

I generally don't run to read books after i've already seen the movie. I also generally don't see movies before i've read the books. This is the exception to that statement. I saw this movie however many years ago that it first came out, unknowing that it was also a book. I really enjoyed the movie (I'm a fan of Emma Roberts, in most things she does) and when I found out it was a book I was dissapointed that I had watched the movie first because it would be impossible to not see the actors when reading the pages and I HATE THAT! I like to create what I imagine them like better.

So when I saw that this book was on the list I didn't jump to read it first, even though its generally a book that would fit under the genre of things I enjoy reading. Teenage angst is my specialty! Since it has been so long since I saw the movie I found that I was able to make up my own ideas for every character except for Noelle, the girl that Emma Roberts plays, I just couldn't get away from the idea of her being Noelle. That being said, I still throughly enjoyed the book and finished it in a solid two nights of reading.

It's Kind of a Funny Story is about a boy named Craig and his trials and tribulations throughout getting in the most prestigious school in Manhattan. As we get to know Craig we are also introduced to his best friend Aaron and the first time that Aaron succeeds in peer pressuring Craig into smoking marijuana. (As an 8th grader I might add, which seemed shocking and way too young in my opinion) Both Aaron and Craig get into the school passing their test with flying colors. After being accepted, Aaron starts dating a girl named Nia, who Craig is hopelessly unrequitedly in love (lust?) with. It is only after getting in that Craig starts to question everything and feel very depressed. He has been working towards the goal of actually getting into the school for so long that when it comes to actually going he feels a conflicting sensation of let down.

After attending school, the pressure of classes and his feeling for Nia become too much, Craig starts to feel depressed; he is unable to eat food, unable to sleep, and has suicidal thoughts. He goes to therapy and starts taking medication to get it all under control. A few months later, after he starts to feel better, he stops taking the medication with the thought that he doesnt need it. He soon realizes that he is wrong and one night starts having suicidal tendencies worse than ever. He calls up the suicide hotline and is directed to go to the hospital and get help.

After arriving at the hospital Craig makes the decision to get checked into their psychiatric hospital, as he first walks in he is taken on a tour of the place by another patient named Bobby. After talking with him he starts to feel like he isnt so abnormal for the problems he is having. The first meal in the dining hall he spots a girl from across the room, she writes a note on a piece of paper asking him to meet her in the hallway later in the night. After he arrives we meet Noelle, a fellow high schooler who is also dealing with her own issues. Craig is instantly intrigued by her, wondering what it was that happened to make her come to the hospital as well. Throughout his stay at the hospital Craig meets new people, finds new talents, and most importantly realizes that the root of a person is not found in success, but in the moment after failure when they make the decision to stand back up.

I liked the idea of someone being at their best when they are at their worst. That it takes feeling really badly in order to take a chance and make a change on your life and thats exactly what Craig does in this book. It's also an interesting read for someone who thinks that their entire life should revolve around what they have known and the idea of the friends that they already have. Being in a situation where I am transferring to a new college next year and potentially starting all over with friendships and education, I like the idea that finding anchors to weigh me down that arent people. A very interesting read that I would suggest to any struggling teenager.

“People are screwed up in this world. I'd rather be with someone screwed up and open about it than somebody perfect and ready to explode.”