Ruby Elliot

I’ve enjoyed Ruby’s art on rubyetc.tumblr.com so had to borrow this when I spotted it in the library. ‘It’s All Absolutely Fine’ is a collection of her drawings and reflections on mental illness. Although I read it quickly, I found it moving and thoughtful. I particularly liked her comments on therapy:

What I’ve got a shot at controlling is the way I manage what’s happening. And that’s what I was in therapy for, not to be fixed, but to facilitate and support me finding some

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sort of way through my difficulties. Cos you know, I can sit there in the chair for fifty minutes, but I will always have to go away and deal with the other 10,030. Those minutes are mine. And I have the capacity, if not to be shiny happy people, to cut myself some slack when I’m suffering. And to allow the help and support in, rather than just dismiss it because I want evaporation of the ocean, not what feels like drops.

This was accompanied by a sketch of a therapist wearing a ‘Freud Says Relax’ t-shirt, because the book is also very funny. Ruby's comic about trying on bras is especially brilliant and accurate. And the drawings of creatures are all completely delightful. Also the comparison between penguins huddling for warmth and Londoners huddling under a bus stop in the rain: 'much like penguins except we are all angry and hate each other'. All in all, a very nice book with wise insights into mental health, dogs, and chickens. show less

This was a tough read but a good one. I see a lot of people have shelved it as humor but I didn’t because while I noticed some humor I didn’t notice that much bcause I was focused on the serious and sad content.

I think she does an excellent job concisely explaining exactly what it feels like to have an eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder) and it’s probably applicable for addiction too, of how the mind is so full of the obsession that there isn’t much room for show more much else including life experiences, relationships, etc. By the way she draws herself as fat but in photos she currently looks neither overweight nor too thin. Her anorexia started at age 14. She seems to have been only 22 when she was creating this book and it’s heartening about how much progress she’s made with her eating disorder and mental health issues which include anxiety and depression. She does a good job of explaining how managing mental health issues is complicated. I found the last illustration with text in the book particularly poignant and I’m glad that she included it and placed it in the book where she did. I also especially loved and appreciated the “in the same boat” cartoon.

I would read more of this author’s books!

3-1/2 stars

I read a Hoopla e-edition, not a Kindle edition this is shelved. It was the only way I could borrow this book from my public library. show less

Very funny and super relatable. Similar to Hyperbole and a Half - with less writing and more pictures, also I found this book to be more focus on mental illness - depression, bi-polar, and eating disorders. Not only did she talk about these things she ACCURATELY describes living life with mental illness. I felt like I could relate to most of the pictures. I loved the drawings and I enjoyed the little bits of writing kinda summing up the chapters.

I did receive a free copy of this book from show more goodreads and im really glad that I was one of the people who won.

Thank you, Ruby. Thank you for your honesty and thank you for giving the world your art. show less

Well-done graphic non-fiction dealing with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, eating disorders and body image. The graphic medium is well suited to creating empathy and understanding where works alone don't quite capture the experiences of these mental health issues.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks!