It's Kind of a Funny Story
| It's Kind of a Funny Story | |
|---|---|
 First edition cover |
|
| Author(s) | Ned Vizzini |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Teen Novel, Comedy |
| Publisher | Hyperion |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 444 pp |
It's Kind of a Funny Story is a 2006 novel by American author Ned Vizzini. It follows a depressed teenager who becomes suicidal and checks himself into a psychiatric hospital. The book was inspired by Vizzini's own brief hospitalization for depression in November 2004.[1] The book received recognition as a 2007 Best Book for Young Adults from the American Library Association.[2] A film adaptation, directed by Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden, was released in the United States on October 8, 2010.[3]
Contents |
[edit] Synopsis
Craig, the narrator, is 15, and lives with his family in an upper-middle class Manhattan neighborhood in New York City. He attends the prestigious Executive Pre-Professional High School, having studied arduously to win admission. Once admitted, however, he becomes overwhelmed by the school's intense academic pressure. His stress eventually manifests itself in an eating disorder, use of marijuana, affected sleep habits, and suicidal thoughts. After he stops taking medication prescribed by his psychiatrist, his depression builds until, unable to fend off his suicidal ideation, he calls 1-800-SUICIDE and is admitted to a nearby psychiatric hospital. He meets many other patients, some friendly, others reclusive or delusional, and is supported and encouraged by his family and school principal once they learn of his hospitalization. Craig meets a female patient, Noelle, who coped with a history of sexual abuse by cutting her face with scissors. In isolation from the outside world, and with help from Noelle, Craig confronts the sources of his anxiety and regains his health. During his recovery, Craig experiments with art, specifically stylized maps, and discovers he has a great deal of natural talent and ability. Once Craig has recovered, his counselor suggests he transfer to an art school, a thought that excites Craig. He returns home at novel's end having undergone a mental "shift".
[edit] Characters
- Craig Gilner: protagonist and narrator, 15, suffers from depression, attends Executive Pre-Professional.
- Sarah Gilner: Craig's little sister.
- Aaron Pardis: Craig's best friend, 15, also attends Executive Pre-Professional, boyfriend to Nia
- Nia: Aaron's girlfriend and the object of Craig's unrequited affection, suffers from depression, attends Executive Pre-Professional
- Dr. Minerva: Craig's psychiatrist
- Noelle: Patient at the psychiatric hospital, becomes Craig's first girlfriend.
- Muqtada: Craig's Egyptian roommate at the psychiatric hospital
- Bobby: a patient at the hospital, with whom Craig develops a mentorship bond.
- Jennifer/Charles: A transsexual patient.
- Johnny: Bobby's best friend, a patient at the psychiatric hospital
- Ebony: a patient at the psychiatric hospital, enjoys Craig's art
- Humble: Craig's first friend at the hospital, takes the most medication.
- Armelio:Character obsessed with playing cards
[edit] Film adaptation
In 2010, Focus Features released a film adaptation directed by Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden. The film starred Keir Gilchrist as Craig, along with Zach Galifianakis, Emma Roberts, Zoë Kravitz and Lauren Graham. The film received mixed to positive reviews. [4]
[edit] References
- ^ "It's Kind of a Funny Story - Hardcover". Ned Vizzini official website. Archived from the original on June 12, 2010. http://www.webcitation.org/5qQXKPwGp. Retrieved June 12, 2010.
- ^ American Library Association (2007). "2007 Best Books for Young Adults". http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/booklistsawards/bestbooksya/annotations/07bbya.cfm. Retrieved 2011-02-03.
- ^ Vizzini, Ned (August 17, 2010). "Quick Update: IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY: Poster and New, **Wider** Release Date (October 8, 2010)". Ned Vizzini. Archived from the original on August 17, 2010. http://ned-vizzini.livejournal.com/173229.html. Retrieved August 17, 2010.
- ^ "It's Kind of a Funny Story Movie Reviews, Pictures". Rotten Tomatoes. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/its-kind-of-a-funny-story/. Retrieved 2010-10-14.
[edit] External links
 |
This article about a young adult novel of the 2000s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
