Author/Artist: Charles Forsman
Publisher: Fantagraphics Books
Released: December 12, 2017
Find it on Storygraph | More Graphic Novels
Summary:
Sydney is a 15-year-old girl, and it’s safe to say she’s going through a lot. In addition to the usual hormones and drama, she’s got out-of-control psychic powers and a recently deceased father.
It’s a lot, and Sydney doesn’t know how to cope with it. Worse, she’s in love with her best friend, who’s totally in love with a homophobic jerk. No breaks for this teen.
Review:
So, I’m behind on the times here. I watched the Netflix adaptation of I Am Not Okay with This and was SO MAD when they cancelled it. I wanted to know where that cliffhanger ending was going to take us.
Turns out, you shouldn’t read the source material to get that answer, because the graphic novel and the TV show end VERY differently. So there are no answers to be found here. In fact, I’m tempted to say that readers should just skip this one altogether. Tempted, because I don’t like telling people to avoid books, most of the time.
I Am Not Okay with This has a few problems I can’t get over. First and foremost, it feels dangerously close to the “Bury your gays” trope, and that’s all sorts of uncool (to put it mildly, if I go into more detail here, I’ll end up ranting for days, so…). Likewise, it romanticizes suicide and presents it as the only option, which again, is so incredibly problematic I don’t even know where to begin.
I will give this graphic novel credit for including suicide prevention information at the end, but it almost feels like too little, too late.
The Popeye-esque art style was a surprise. I didn’t mind it, and honestly, probably would have loved it if not for the writing.
Highlights:
- Magical Teen
- LGBT
- Turned into a Netflix Series
Trigger Warnings:
- Familial Death
- Trauma & Anger
- Regret & Guilt
- Homophobia
- Suicidal Thoughts
- Suicide (repeated trigger warning needed here)
- Bury Your Gays Vibes
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