Status
Checked out
Publication
Avery (2012), 256 pages
Description
Shortly before her thirtieth birthday, Ellen Forney was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Flagrantly manic but terrified that medications would cause her to lose her creativity and livelihood, she began a years-long struggle to find mental stability without losing herself or her passion. Searching to make sense of the popular concept of the "crazy artist," Ellen found inspiration from the lives and work of other artist and writers who suffered from mood disorders, including Vincent van Gogh, Georgia O'Keeffe, William Styron, and Sylvia Plath.
User reviews
LibraryThing member SqueakyChu
It seems that bipolar disorder has gone mainstream! Ellen Forney's graphic novel reads like a blend of Alison Bechdel (a graphic novelist who also draws cartoons of women having sex with each other) and Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison (the psychologist who first brought bipolar disorder out as a subject
This book is terrific. From the highs of its manias to the lows of its depressions, we see graphically and verbally what happens in the life of a person coping with this genetic affliction. Within the story, we also meet Karen, the psychotherapist who gently guides Ellen through storm after storm of hypermania and despair, all the time working with new meds, titrating them to the best effect for Ellen as well as teaching Ellen helpful coping mechanisms.
I'd suggest, before reading this delightful and informative book, that you first read Dr. Jamison's book, An Unquiet Mind. Ellen refers to this landmark book in her graphic novel. It will show the reader just how far we've come in learning to speak to each other about mental illness in general and bipolar disorder specifically. Living with bipolar disorder is a product of understanding and treating it as well as supporting those who are its victims.
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for the general reading audience). This book is terrific. From the highs of its manias to the lows of its depressions, we see graphically and verbally what happens in the life of a person coping with this genetic affliction. Within the story, we also meet Karen, the psychotherapist who gently guides Ellen through storm after storm of hypermania and despair, all the time working with new meds, titrating them to the best effect for Ellen as well as teaching Ellen helpful coping mechanisms.
I'd suggest, before reading this delightful and informative book, that you first read Dr. Jamison's book, An Unquiet Mind. Ellen refers to this landmark book in her graphic novel. It will show the reader just how far we've come in learning to speak to each other about mental illness in general and bipolar disorder specifically. Living with bipolar disorder is a product of understanding and treating it as well as supporting those who are its victims.
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LibraryThing member Smiler69
As someone living with bipolar 1 who is almost the same age as Ellen Forney and was diagnosed almost at the same time, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised we shared such a similar experience with our illness, first refusing medication which as we feared might change us completely and stop us from
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being creative, and then meeting the challenges that come with accepting what being bipolar entails and how we can take better care of ourselves without giving up on what makes life worth living. I found this to be hard reading in some ways because I know how real the struggle is. I didn’t find anything new here because I’ve lived with my diagnosis for almost twenty years now, but I wish this book had been there for me back then as it explains bipolar disorder well for anyone who is seeking to understand a little bit more about an illness that affects so many people in all walks of life in a way that is open and honest and obviously very creative. Show Less
LibraryThing member Clare.Davitt
So well done-the art, the writing, the honesty-it all captures so much of what being bi-polar I is like. As a diagnosed bi-polar II, I relate to so much of her experiences and thoughts and worries. An incredibly reassuring book to read as well as informative for any friends and family of those with
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the disease. She's also incredibly funny. Show Less
LibraryThing member Esquiress
Marbles was a read I won't soon forget. The graphic portions were really well done, and the text portions were spot on. I really felt what the author had been going through at the time, and I felt a camaraderie with her as I read.
I learned a great deal more about Bi-Polar Disorder. There are a lot
The multigenre approach to the book lent itself well to a true depiction of the author's experience, because sometimes it is just impossible to put into words what you are feeling and going through. Other times, the words really added to my understanding of what was happening. The blend was perfect for my reading, and I came away feeling uplifted and enlightened.
I feel like Marbles could be a handy reference for people who don't understand psych disorders in general, and of course Bi-Polar in particular. I would give this to people to help them understand more fully what goes on in the head of a disordered thinker.
I learned a great deal more about Bi-Polar Disorder. There are a lot
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of myths and untruths out there about it, and Marbles taught me a lot, even about psych meds in general. The multigenre approach to the book lent itself well to a true depiction of the author's experience, because sometimes it is just impossible to put into words what you are feeling and going through. Other times, the words really added to my understanding of what was happening. The blend was perfect for my reading, and I came away feeling uplifted and enlightened.
I feel like Marbles could be a handy reference for people who don't understand psych disorders in general, and of course Bi-Polar in particular. I would give this to people to help them understand more fully what goes on in the head of a disordered thinker.
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LibraryThing member SeaBill1
Ellen Forney is a master of the art of the comic book. By which I mean, that she has mastered the use of the symbols and icons that comic book creators have developed over the years to portray ideas, and emotional states, and sequential events. There is a language of symbols that has been developed
Here's a poignant example, from page 104 of the Early Reviewers copy I got:
In the first of three panels, Ellen and her mom are at a restaurant table, and Ellen describes the memory lapses caused by the lithium she is taking. In the second panel Ellen covers her face in misery as she says, "I can't remember words, it's like they're underwater..." . And in the third panel there are no words. But the tear drop symbols pouring from the unhappy Ellen and the little heart with the jagged line indicating heartbreak, over Ellen's mom's head...just great use of the comic book iconography.
Or consider Ms. Forney's use of a balance scale to depict two competing ideas; or the use of the scales to represent a cost benefit analysis on her pot smoking.
Or the use of little stars and flowers (pp. 29 and 52) to depict the manic "up" mood swing of the unmedicated Ellen. Or all the icons drawn over the head of the exercising Ellen at a yoga class (p.125): in 16 panels, Forney provides a whole litany of what she is thinking or seeing or experiencing, or feeling emotionally. No dialogue, only pictograms. It's brilliant cartooning!
Also masterful is the use of various styles to capture various ideas and states. On page 77,Forney brilliantly captures the bleakness of a morning in the life of a depressed person in minimalist doodles. Compare this with the dense recreation of each of Van Gogh's self portraits that Forney provides on p. 120. [ I wonder if she found this daunting or just fun]. Forney quotes the styles of other contemporary cartoonists like Peter Bagge (p. 151) and Lynda Barry (p. 69) when it's the perfect way to portray a particular emotional state. She uses childish scribbles when appropriate, and portraiture; she uses maps, and graphs; she uses pages with just words and pages with just pictures. It is all very fine.
This is a very brave book. When Ms. Forney includes pages from her sketchbook that reveal her inner turmoil, she is very revealing. There is some ugly stuff in here, disturbing stuff. But also fascinating stuff, sparkling and brilliant and scintillating.
And the book ends...calmly. Once Ms. Forney has resolved one of her basic dilemmas - whether or not to use medications, because of her fear that the meds would destroy her creativity - she devotes the entire last chapter to a reasoned and objective discussion of the benefits and costs inherent in using the meds. It's reassuring that she can come to the conclusion that... she is okay.
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as a precise shorthand; but Forney's use of some of those symbols is particularly efficient.Here's a poignant example, from page 104 of the Early Reviewers copy I got:
In the first of three panels, Ellen and her mom are at a restaurant table, and Ellen describes the memory lapses caused by the lithium she is taking. In the second panel Ellen covers her face in misery as she says, "I can't remember words, it's like they're underwater..." . And in the third panel there are no words. But the tear drop symbols pouring from the unhappy Ellen and the little heart with the jagged line indicating heartbreak, over Ellen's mom's head...just great use of the comic book iconography.
Or consider Ms. Forney's use of a balance scale to depict two competing ideas; or the use of the scales to represent a cost benefit analysis on her pot smoking.
Or the use of little stars and flowers (pp. 29 and 52) to depict the manic "up" mood swing of the unmedicated Ellen. Or all the icons drawn over the head of the exercising Ellen at a yoga class (p.125): in 16 panels, Forney provides a whole litany of what she is thinking or seeing or experiencing, or feeling emotionally. No dialogue, only pictograms. It's brilliant cartooning!
Also masterful is the use of various styles to capture various ideas and states. On page 77,Forney brilliantly captures the bleakness of a morning in the life of a depressed person in minimalist doodles. Compare this with the dense recreation of each of Van Gogh's self portraits that Forney provides on p. 120. [ I wonder if she found this daunting or just fun]. Forney quotes the styles of other contemporary cartoonists like Peter Bagge (p. 151) and Lynda Barry (p. 69) when it's the perfect way to portray a particular emotional state. She uses childish scribbles when appropriate, and portraiture; she uses maps, and graphs; she uses pages with just words and pages with just pictures. It is all very fine.
This is a very brave book. When Ms. Forney includes pages from her sketchbook that reveal her inner turmoil, she is very revealing. There is some ugly stuff in here, disturbing stuff. But also fascinating stuff, sparkling and brilliant and scintillating.
And the book ends...calmly. Once Ms. Forney has resolved one of her basic dilemmas - whether or not to use medications, because of her fear that the meds would destroy her creativity - she devotes the entire last chapter to a reasoned and objective discussion of the benefits and costs inherent in using the meds. It's reassuring that she can come to the conclusion that... she is okay.
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LibraryThing member SumisBooks
A very accurate portrayal of depression, mania & the struggles accompanying both. As a person who struggles with her own depression, this book really spoke to my heart. It's scary but also refreshing. I would highly recommend this book to anyone struggling with mental illness (personality/mood
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disorders). Show Less
LibraryThing member inkdrinker
This is a great book! I actually had forgotten it was coming, but as soon as it arrived, I couldn't put it down. As Forney struggles with her manic depression and tries to come to terms with her fears that taming this beast with medication will destroy her creativity, she paints a picture with
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words and ... well... pictures (this is a comic after all) which draws the reader in and helps us to connect with her. Sadly, I already understand first hand what she struggles with. Having lived with depression, I believe the medications which have made my life livable, have also destroyed much of my creative drive. I'm just happy that in Forney's case the meds didn't ruin her creativity or we wouldn't have this wonderful book giving us a chance to get to know an interesting and honest artist. Show Less
LibraryThing member jennybeast
This really spoke to me -- that terrifying question about whether we as humans need to accept the things we don't like about ourselves in order to keep the things we do like about ourselves, and whether emotional overwhelm (for me) is tied to creativity. Not the same as bi-polar, but the backbone
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of Ellen's thoughts are profoundly similar. I really apprecaite peopel who can share this frankly about themselves and who can face their fears in a way that lets others do the same. Show Less
LibraryThing member ghostwire
Ellen Forney's graphic novel is a rollicking, heart-felt and compelling journey of one woman's experience with bipolar disorder. As an artist, Ellen is hesitant to take medication with the risk of losing her creative abilities. Marbles... chronicles Ellen's path through bursts of manic highs and
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soul-crushing depression . With the help of a trusted psychiatrist and loyal friends, Ellen is able to reconcile her need for creativity while taking meds which may or may not have detritmental consequences. This is an excellent book. It comes to life with wit and humor and her drawings are rendered with the utmost care. Though this book is about bipolar disorder, I think it's also about breaking the chains of mental illness, finding your voice, and, ultimately, claiming a life worth living. Show Less
LibraryThing member Sarahsponda
Excellent all around. I appreciated Marbles on several levels: as a narrative, as an informational book about creativity and mood disorders, and artistically. It is a very personal book, and I think Forney is brave to have written and shared it.
I really liked how Forney intersperses pages from her
I also appreciated the notes in the back! Hooray for source citing!
I really liked how Forney intersperses pages from her
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sketchbook within the story proper, like artifacts -- the contrast between those and the general style of the comic adds another dimension to understanding how she feels. They are powerful images.I also appreciated the notes in the back! Hooray for source citing!
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LibraryThing member krao
I am a huge fan of Ellen Forney (via illustrations in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time indian), memoir, and overcoming mental illness/mood disorders. As a teacher, I am sad because I cannot recommend this book to my students... too many graphic/semi-pornographic illustrations. But it isn't
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about those illustrations! It's about how wonderfully Ms. Forney expresses herself through her artwork. I am a very visual person, and this graphic novel appeals to me so differently than any other graphic novel I have read. The reason is, this book is not written as a comic strip (!). It's lovely, more like a book full of graphic organizers, artwork, and visually appealing text. I really love this book. So much. If you like art, memoir, graphic organizers, and/or overcoming mental illness, please read this book. It rocks! Show Less
LibraryThing member slaughterhouse5
In "Marbles," Ellen Forney details her struggles with depression, mania, and bipolar disorder. The black and white, cartoon style drawings and sketches range from frenzied to erotic to painful, and eventually to calm and collected. The drawing style masterfully illustrates her many moods and mood
Forney's storytelling is strong, following different episodes and events in her battle with mental illness. The novel concludes with Forney's thoughts and research on the connection between mental illness and the creative, artistic temperament. Although this portion of the novel was interesting, and really tied together the main focus of the novel, I felt the story sort of tapered off and ended on a more sterile, intellectual note, whereas the rest of the novel had been very personal.
A good read for fans of Forney, especially her long time work with "The Stranger."
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swings as she struggles with mania, depression, and finding the right balance of medication. The frenzied drawings in particular really convey to the reader the mind of a bipolar person experiencing a manic high.Forney's storytelling is strong, following different episodes and events in her battle with mental illness. The novel concludes with Forney's thoughts and research on the connection between mental illness and the creative, artistic temperament. Although this portion of the novel was interesting, and really tied together the main focus of the novel, I felt the story sort of tapered off and ended on a more sterile, intellectual note, whereas the rest of the novel had been very personal.
A good read for fans of Forney, especially her long time work with "The Stranger."
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LibraryThing member Magus_Manders
Thematic memoirs centered around the overcoming of adversity or disability are as common as mud these days, and it takes a very special touch to make Marbles stand out. In Marbles, Ellen Forney explores her response to the discovery that she possessed a rather severe case of bipolar disorder. As a
Forrney's story begins with a tattoo, and immediately displays her broad and eclectic style. She seamlessly moves from classic cartoons to realistic line drawing to stream-of-consciousness flowcharts, adeptly expressing her thought process. The story just as ably moves from deep pathos to ecstatic humor with quite a light touch. She clearly wishes to express the trying realities of living with bipolar, both the symptoms of the condition and the struggles to treat it. While the majority of the book focuses on her personal experience, the last chapter addresses both what bipolar is and -her greatest concern- how it affects creativity. Marbles works well as a piece of popular psychology above and beyond memoir. With all that skill, it's obvious why she was nominated for an Eisner award for her comic strip 'I Was 7 in '75'/
Personally, I have had very close experience with bipolarism; unfortunately, it has hurt relationships rather than helped. Though I knew the potential seriousness of the condition, I never came close to understanding what it really meant until reading this book. My thanks to Ms. Forney for helping me understand what has been going on in those minds that I have loved so much.
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professional cartoonist to begin with, she possesses all the tools to present us that story in a truly unique and engrossing fashion.Forrney's story begins with a tattoo, and immediately displays her broad and eclectic style. She seamlessly moves from classic cartoons to realistic line drawing to stream-of-consciousness flowcharts, adeptly expressing her thought process. The story just as ably moves from deep pathos to ecstatic humor with quite a light touch. She clearly wishes to express the trying realities of living with bipolar, both the symptoms of the condition and the struggles to treat it. While the majority of the book focuses on her personal experience, the last chapter addresses both what bipolar is and -her greatest concern- how it affects creativity. Marbles works well as a piece of popular psychology above and beyond memoir. With all that skill, it's obvious why she was nominated for an Eisner award for her comic strip 'I Was 7 in '75'/
Personally, I have had very close experience with bipolarism; unfortunately, it has hurt relationships rather than helped. Though I knew the potential seriousness of the condition, I never came close to understanding what it really meant until reading this book. My thanks to Ms. Forney for helping me understand what has been going on in those minds that I have loved so much.
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LibraryThing member goodinthestacks
"Marbles" by Ellen Forney describes her discovering she is bi-polar and how other very creative people struggled with mental illness. The story itself was interesting enough, but the drawings did not stir me in any way.
LibraryThing member ALoyacano
When I began this graphic novel I had a hard time following the events/thoughts/ideas. I was almost at the point of throwing in the metaphorical towel until I realized what was going on. I was in the mind of an individual with bi-polar disorder going through a manic episode.
The author does a
I don't know what this book would provide an individual with the disorder, but as someone who interacts with people dealing with the ups and downs of bi-polar I found it helps with empathy and understanding.
I found this a very interesting read that I feel has given me a deeper understanding of mental disease.
The author does a
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wonderful job making the reader understand what it is like to think as an individual with this disorder. As a reader you are even able to feel the switch between the different stages. It is eye opening.I don't know what this book would provide an individual with the disorder, but as someone who interacts with people dealing with the ups and downs of bi-polar I found it helps with empathy and understanding.
I found this a very interesting read that I feel has given me a deeper understanding of mental disease.
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LibraryThing member District13
graphic autobiography about a comic book artist and her struggle with bipolar disorder and being medicated. I really like the way she compares famous artists' lives to her's such as Van Gogh, Sylvia Plath, etc. very interesting read
LibraryThing member mochap
Incredible graphic memoir of the author's experience coming to terms with her diagnosis of bipolar illness. Incredible book--a must-read for anyone struggling with or loving someone with bipolar illness.
LibraryThing member amematuro
Insights into living with manic depression and being an artist. The drawings are charming and expressive. Anyone who is interested in depression or bipolar disorder or has suffered from these disorders will be very interested in this book. Or even if you have a friend or family member who is
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bipolar it is a resource to try to understand what is going on in their brain. Show Less
LibraryThing member guyalice
Marbles is a "graphic memoir" by Eisner-nominated cartoonist Ellen Forney. In this book, Forney is barrier-less, often nakedly personal in her struggles in keeping balance with bipolar disorder.
Forney gives many reasons for not wanting to become medicated, not only for the awful side effects that
Through years of therapy and trying out different types and doses of medication, Forney was finally able to find a balance for her bipolar disorder. As for medication hurting her creativity, this memoir proves to be funny, inventive, and insightful.
What's more is that the book is very informative about the mental health process. It scared me and made me cry, but its ultimately hopeful message made me realize I needed to take more care of my own mental health. I hope it can be a source of reassurance to others, as well.
Forney gives many reasons for not wanting to become medicated, not only for the awful side effects that
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come with the drugs, but because she's afraid they might stamp out what makes her creative. As she gives account to her dealing with manic episodes and deep depression, she also wonders about the many creative geniuses who were diagnosed with or are assumed to have had mental illness. She worries that the things that troubled them and sometimes even drove them to suicide may have been the things that made them extraordinary. Through years of therapy and trying out different types and doses of medication, Forney was finally able to find a balance for her bipolar disorder. As for medication hurting her creativity, this memoir proves to be funny, inventive, and insightful.
What's more is that the book is very informative about the mental health process. It scared me and made me cry, but its ultimately hopeful message made me realize I needed to take more care of my own mental health. I hope it can be a source of reassurance to others, as well.
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LibraryThing member terriko
How are bipolar disorder and creativity linked? Is the crazy artist more than just a stereotype? Ellen Forney explores these ideas in her intensely personal graphic memoir about her own experience balancing her mental health. It's a story that is at times hilarious, at times poignant, at times
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terrifying, and also well-researched and educational. Show Less
LibraryThing member zzshupinga
As an artist and someone that was recently diagnosed with depression, I was excited to get ahold of a copy of Ellen’s memoir. It just jumped out at me as one of those books that I just had to read, as it was clear to me she would talk about some of the same things that worried me about starting
Ellen’s life is an open book. She speaks her mind, is comfortable with her body, has no problem sharing it with us, and is a professionally active artist (and a sometimes pot smoker.) But when she was diagnosed with depression/bipolar disorder in her 30’s she’s no longer quite sure of herself. She knows a number of artists have dealt with bipolar/depression, but none of them were really medicated. While she wants to get better she’s also mindful of the fact that she needs to keep her creativity to survive and the meds might hamper that. So what’s a girl to do? Well with the help of her family, friends, and a good therapist she begins making progress with a balance of medication and exercise.
Ellen tells her story like she lives her life, openly and without shame. She shares with us some of her sexual encounters, her pot smoking, the depths of the depression that she fell into, and doesn't hesitate to let us know just what she dealt with during this journey. Its a personal story and the illustrations that accompany it are light with simple black and white line drawings (although drawings from her journal are much more detailed.) It’s a powerful story that will make you think and just may help you figure out your own highs and lows. Highly recommended.
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medication (how it would impact my creativity as an artist namely.) And I wasn't disappointed. Ellen’s life is an open book. She speaks her mind, is comfortable with her body, has no problem sharing it with us, and is a professionally active artist (and a sometimes pot smoker.) But when she was diagnosed with depression/bipolar disorder in her 30’s she’s no longer quite sure of herself. She knows a number of artists have dealt with bipolar/depression, but none of them were really medicated. While she wants to get better she’s also mindful of the fact that she needs to keep her creativity to survive and the meds might hamper that. So what’s a girl to do? Well with the help of her family, friends, and a good therapist she begins making progress with a balance of medication and exercise.
Ellen tells her story like she lives her life, openly and without shame. She shares with us some of her sexual encounters, her pot smoking, the depths of the depression that she fell into, and doesn't hesitate to let us know just what she dealt with during this journey. Its a personal story and the illustrations that accompany it are light with simple black and white line drawings (although drawings from her journal are much more detailed.) It’s a powerful story that will make you think and just may help you figure out your own highs and lows. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member melydia
It's no secret that loads of famous artists suffered mental health problems, often severe and untreated. But will medication rob one of one's creativity? What if the mental health issues are key to the art? In this unabashedly frank graphic memoir, Forney relates her adventures with bipolar
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syndrome, from diagnosis to eventual stability. Her ups and downs, as well as her fear of being "cured", were very familiar to me, almost uncomfortably so. It made me want to read some of the other books Forney references, from The Unquiet Mind to biographies of various artists. This is a good book both for those suffering bipolar syndrome and for those hoping to understand the disease better from the outside. And, being a graphic work with drawings that somehow manage to be at once both simplistic and incredibly detailed, it's a very quick read. I devoured it in two short evenings. Show Less
LibraryThing member mawls
A fantastic read about one woman's journey through the literal ups and downs of being bi-polar.
LibraryThing member E.J
I didn't quite know how to rate this one. Just because the first third annoyed the hell out of me doesn't mean it wasn't a good book. Once the mania subsided I was more able to concentrate on what Forney was actually saying. She did a good job and I am always a fan when someone tries to make mental
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illness less stigmatized and more easily understood. Show Less
LibraryThing member debnance
Read this extended title. It is a perfect description of this little book. It is all you need to know about it.
Awards
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2012
Physical description
256 p.; 5.94 inches
ISBN
1592407323 / 9781592407323