Broken by Jenny Lawson

Title: Broken (in the best possible way)

Author: Jenny Lawson

Published: 2021

Genre: Memoir

Grade Level: Adult

-Movie Rating: R, vulgar language, other adult content

-Features: Depression, Anxiety

 

Audiobook:

Narrated by: Jenny Lawson

Length: 8hrs 18min

Recommend: Yes

 

Blurb (from goodreads):

As Jenny Lawson’s hundreds of thousands of fans know, she suffers from depression. In Broken, Jenny brings readers along on her mental and physical health journey, offering heartbreaking and hilarious anecdotes along the way.

With people experiencing anxiety and depression now more than ever, Jenny humanizes what we all face in an all-too-real way, reassuring us that we’re not alone and making us laugh while doing it. And of course, Jenny’s long-suffering husband Victor―the Ricky to Jenny’s Lucille Ball―is present throughout.

A treat for Jenny Lawson’s already existing fans, and destined to convert new ones, Broken is a beacon of hope and a wellspring of laughter when we all need it most.

 

Disclaimer: My review of this memoir is not in any way a reflection upon the author or their life. I am a book reviewer, I review books… not people. 

 

My Scores:

Writing Style: Solid

The best way I can describe Lawson’s writing style is wonderfully bizarre. It’s wonderful because of her incredibly personal messages of encouragement and understanding. And it’s bizarre because of her wacky, way-out-of-left-field humor.

I personally love it! I don’t know of anyone else that thinks, even remotely, like Jenny Lawson (and I can imagine it’s one of the reasons Victor loves her). However, it also means that I can’t compare her to anyone and say “if you like so-and-so, then you’ll like her too.” You’ll just have to find out for yourself.  

 

Characters: Memorable

(I known they're real people. I’m referring to them as character’s anyway.)

One of the funniest aspects of this book is the dialogue sequences between Jenny Lawson and her husband Victor. He will try to give her rational and reasonable advice and she seems to interpret it with the logic of an Alice and Wonderland character, which makes for great fun to hear about from a distance.

 

Overall: Obsessed

Lawson’s work is priceless. She took her pain and used it to fuel her creative voice to spread humor and encouragement to as many people as possible. While I will admit that her humor is rather bizarre, she is relatable, and that is what makes her so endearing.  

Messaging: Depression lies.

 

Goodreads Rating: 4 out of 5 stars