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natasha29's review
3.0
A childlike explanation on depression but got the point across well.
I wish I had read this when I was younger :(
I wish I had read this when I was younger :(
carolineroche's review
5.0
A deceptively simple book. Beautifully illustrated in black and white this tells the author’s story of what it is like to live with persistent depression. Yet told in an engaging way that even the youngest reader can identify with - and the oldest. Profound and moving, this needs to be on everyone’s shelves.
perilous1's review
3.0
Originally reviewed for YA Books Central: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/22106-night-shift
With a memorable duo chromatic cover and shadowy charcoal sketches, this little hardback is an effort to combine artistry and emotion. The style is very reminiscent of a simple children’s book. Depression is depicted as a dragon, a smoky fog, as a blinding and suffocating personification of darkness. The goal is to elicit empathy for those who struggle with depression, and perhaps to bestow a sense of comradery among those who live with it.
Pros:
Though it has the appearance of a children’s book, the uniquely stylized aesthetic may make it more suitable as a coffee table book (or perhaps ideally, preparatory waiting room reading material for counseling offices.) While the book is technically based on the author’s personal outlook, the main character is nearly ambiguous in gender, age, and ethnicity—making it more openly relatable on a superficial level. The intent is worthy, meaningful, and more than needed in this era of growing metal health awareness. While very few children ever deal with depression, they may have close teen or adult relative who does. And there is the potential here to give some comprehension to the unaware, and words to the overwhelmed.
Cons:
Coming in at just 32 pages, with between one and four sentences per page, Night Shift is an incredibly quick read. (So quick, in fact, some may balk at the $14 price tag.) It does a thorough job of describing a day-to-day struggle with depression (which some who experience it may or may not find relatable), but doesn’t seem to fulfill the promise given in the blurb—that is, to explain how the author copes with her depression. There’s plenty of clear depiction of being metaphorically assailed, and enduring said assaults on her mental and emotional state. But any methods she may have for resisting or fighting back unfortunately remain a mystery. And while this book does end on a hopeful note, that hope is vague and left to just the last 2 written pages.
With a memorable duo chromatic cover and shadowy charcoal sketches, this little hardback is an effort to combine artistry and emotion. The style is very reminiscent of a simple children’s book. Depression is depicted as a dragon, a smoky fog, as a blinding and suffocating personification of darkness. The goal is to elicit empathy for those who struggle with depression, and perhaps to bestow a sense of comradery among those who live with it.
Pros:
Though it has the appearance of a children’s book, the uniquely stylized aesthetic may make it more suitable as a coffee table book (or perhaps ideally, preparatory waiting room reading material for counseling offices.) While the book is technically based on the author’s personal outlook, the main character is nearly ambiguous in gender, age, and ethnicity—making it more openly relatable on a superficial level. The intent is worthy, meaningful, and more than needed in this era of growing metal health awareness. While very few children ever deal with depression, they may have close teen or adult relative who does. And there is the potential here to give some comprehension to the unaware, and words to the overwhelmed.
Cons:
Coming in at just 32 pages, with between one and four sentences per page, Night Shift is an incredibly quick read. (So quick, in fact, some may balk at the $14 price tag.) It does a thorough job of describing a day-to-day struggle with depression (which some who experience it may or may not find relatable), but doesn’t seem to fulfill the promise given in the blurb—that is, to explain how the author copes with her depression. There’s plenty of clear depiction of being metaphorically assailed, and enduring said assaults on her mental and emotional state. But any methods she may have for resisting or fighting back unfortunately remain a mystery. And while this book does end on a hopeful note, that hope is vague and left to just the last 2 written pages.
stephanimichelle's review
5.0
A succinct, graphic and accurate portrayal of life with depression. The author has likened depression to a dragon, turning everything around the sufferer into blackened ruins. If anyone in my life asked what depression feels like, I would shoe them this book.
childdeirdre's review
4.0
This book can take minutes to finish but your whole life to understand. The more we talk about ot, sing, write or draw about it, the sooner we'll realise we're not alone. And the better other people will understand. I personally wish the author had made the journey longer. I can't write or draw. My voice won't be heard. There are millions of us waiting to see our struggle in the bookshelves. We're not alone and it's not over. Good luck to everyone.
ash_among_the_stars's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Hope is the thing with feathers. ❤️
This book shows how it feels on the inside to deal with depression.
Reading this book you will feel the weight of depression in the beautiful illustrations and the thoughtful words.
This book shows how it feels on the inside to deal with depression.
Reading this book you will feel the weight of depression in the beautiful illustrations and the thoughtful words.
gracegreenlaw's review
4.0
A beautifully written and illustrated book that really conveys the darkness and loneliness that those with depression can experience. Really shows both deep sadness that can be felt and how the smallest things can bring hope.
delicatewatkins's review
4.0
I'm not sure why my library has this categorized as a graphic novel but it was a great look at depression.