I Am Not Okay With This: (Netflix Series Tie-In Edition)

My friend kept screaming when she got to any of the inappropriate scenes✋🏻😭

I keep thinking about this book, which is not something I did with the Netflix show, as much as I enjoyed it. It’s a quiet book, sort of, like Sydney can only bear to say/depict just what she means and nothing more, so you don’t get the kind of character development that fills in all the blanks, which can feel disappointing as you’re reading (especially if you’re reading because you want more detail from the Netflix show). But it means you end up thinking and thinking about what IS depicted and said, which is what, I think, one would do if left with the diary Sydney leaves in the aftermath of the decision she makes.It’s kind of the same with the art style—at first I thought I wasn’t getting enough information from the pictures, but I can’t stop thinking about some of them.I found it really powerful, in short.

Unlike a lot of the other reviews that were left, I feel that the story really accomplished what it set out to do. The story highlights how hopeless life can feel during adolescence as a person ages and finds out what they are (and are not) capable of. All of the people who reviewed the book so negatively after watching the show don’t realize that the comic is a separate piece and that it didn’t promise the same character development or palatability that the show does. The fact is, life is often unpalatable, especially for a lot of teenagers, and even more so when said teenagers have other negative aspects of their individual lives to deal with.Having watched the show first, I purchased the book out of curiosity for the ending. I wasn’t satisfied, but unfortunately I think that was the point of the book.Also, if you are looking for a lengthy read, this isn’t it.I left out a star because the comic could have used a little more material. Despite acknowledging that watching the show first may give you unrealistic expectations for the character development in the comic, I also wish that I was more invested in each character and their relationships so that the book would have a lasting impact, which I think could be accomplished with a little more character development. As it stands, I feel indifferent about the abrupt ending of the comic (separate from my feelings about the show).

I wish the story had made it farther than it did... The Netflix film was brilliant but only made it one season before it was axed. Still, it made me but the book and even as dark as it was I enjoyed it.

The art work is basic and the story is ok but not up to the level of the Netflix adaptation but I was totally satisfied with it. Big fan of graphic novels.

Ordered used: looks new, just a few smudges that a wet towel handled. In looked it over before gifting.

The ideas and stories the author wanted to tell here could’ve been so good and poignant- but we’re never given time to bond with the characters. For this type of story to be impactful, we needed to have connected and understood the characters in order for it to feel emotionally satisfying. We’re not given that. Instead, Syd’s life is just a series of tragedies, none of which are we given time to take in and process before the next one begins. The audience is never allowed to see much of the build up to these events or the full consequences of them. For a book as dark as this, withholding those elements of the story from us results in a plotline that feels, simply, needlessly edgy and boring.SPOILERS BELOW - Nothing specific but descriptions of themes that would be considered major spoilers....Two more things about this book- In it’s attempts at being dark, it ends up falling into the bury your gays trope. While death happens to all of us and can be emotionally cathartic when done properly, in this book it feels unnecessary and for edgy points.Additionally, there is a plot point that includes a pedophile. Its uncomfortable and a little graphic. Again, executed well, this could be a tragic event that the audience could find catharsis in, or root for a satisfying resolution- but it isn’t executed well. Instead, it is just frustrating.Overall, it feels like attempts at being dark and edgy for the sake of being dark and edgy, while withholding any of the story elements that make such media engaging. I would like to see this author invest more time in their characters. If these plot points were stretched out longer, given time to properly develop, and the cause and effects explored to satisfying conclusions, this story could be so, so good. Give them room to grow and, more importantly, to be.

Didn’t know it was a comic book

It is dark sad and beautiful.

The media could not be loaded.  i liked this book, just it was very different from the show. i recommend it! the way it’s drawn is nice! also it has some sensitive topics so just a warning. loved it!

It’s not in colour.

É muito boa e de ótima qualidade.

This book touches on some relatively common themes in independent comics like teenage coming of age and figuring out a sexual identity but adds some surprising twists and a perfect minimalistic writing and drawing style. I found the main character and her Catcher-in-the-rye sadness and grief very captivating. Only issue would be that it’s a pretty short read.