It's Kind of a Funny Story

By: Ned Vizzini

Narrated by: Robert Fass

Length: 8 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Ambitious New York City teenager Craig Gilner is determined to succeed at life-which means getting into the right high school to get into the right college to get the right job. But once Craig aces his way into Manhattan's Executive Pre-Professional High School, the pressure becomes unbearable. He stops eating and sleeping until, one night, he nearly kills himself.

Craig's suicidal episode gets him checked into a mental hospital, where his new neighbors include a transsexual sex addict, a girl who has scarred her own face with scissors, and the self-elected President Armelio. There, Craig is finally able to confront the sources of his anxiety. Ned Vizzini, who himself spent time in a psychiatric hospital, has created a remarkably moving tale about the sometimes unexpected road to happiness.

©2006 Ned Vizzini (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This book offers hope in a package that [listeners] will find enticing, and that's the gift it offers." ( Booklist)

Theme

I believe that this was an intriguing book that teens will find and can relate too. The narrator was splendid and the theme was thrilling

Spot on Real Life Depression Story

I switched back and forth between listening and reading. Both were great and I read the whole thing the first day. The descriptions of the mental ward were funny and so true!

Fav book

I first saw this movie years ago. Later found the book. Read it and now listened to it. Love it.

I love this book

I have this book and I never finished it. I also watched the movie. I love it.:)

This story really understands

The performance was amazing first of all. But the accuracy of the feeling of depression and the journey of learning that life is worth it. As a person who’s has had many problems in the with depression this book just understands and understands how it feels. A really good book that tells a story about the experiences of depression and the journey you take for recover. Love this book. That’s all I have to say

Fantastic V/O Work, sometimes difficult to follow

The narrator in the audiobook portrays different characters with a wide range of voices, dialects and accents. He is extremely talented and does an outstanding job. My only issue is that it is difficult at times to tell if the main character is speaking or just narrating his thoughts. Overall, superb job.

One for the record books

It had just the right balance of humor, realness, and charm. One of my favorites.

Depression is universal and can affect anyone

I liked this book and the ending left me feeling happy for Greg but sad for Ned the author. This was based loosely on his own experiences and tragically he's no longer around to share more. I couldn't read this while in highschool. I was too sad and almost in a place like Greg and should've gone to get help. I'm happy to say things get better and as you grow you can read or do things you were scared of or unmotivated to do. It just takes time.

Enchanting!

This book gives a great inside of someone who's lost them self but in the end finds love and figures out a little more about this crazy journey called life. I could never put this book down it was so much fun to read.

moving funny story with brilliant narration

Ned Vizzini uses humor, keen intelligence, sensitivity, and insight (borne of personal experience) to capture the throes of depression. Fass does a splendid job of narration, giving a distinct voice to each of the many characters.