Zoe Thorogood

Cartoonist Zoe Thorogood records 6 months of her ownlife as it falls apart in a desperate attempt to put it back together again inthe only way she knows how. IT'S LONELY AT THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH is anintimate and metanarrative look into the life of a selfish artist who mustcreate for her own survival.

It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth

[2 stars ⭐️.] It felt like I was reading the same page over and over again. 

Raven K

reminded me why i love autobiographical comics,, 

this felt raw and sincere, and masterfully handled and executed. 

you’re along for zoe’s journey, and you feel it (albeit after it’s passed and only the glimpses she allows) alongside with her. 

a really great work with such gorgeous art.

side note:: leaving a barely fleshed out thought here but, i don’t think it’s necessarily bad to be self-centered. and i don’t think it necessarily equates to being selfish either. 

Nat Wong

reminded me why i love autobiographical comics,, 

this felt raw and sincere, and masterfully handled and executed. 

you’re along for zoe’s journey, and you feel it (albeit after it’s passed and only the glimpses she allows) alongside with her. 

a really great work with such gorgeous art.

side note:: leaving a barely fleshed out thought here but, i don’t think it’s necessarily bad to be self-centered. and i don’t think it necessarily equates to being selfish either. 



I’m always fond of personal essay and/or autobiographical works in the form of comics – including this book. I don’t really have much to say as it is hard to describe my own experience reading this book, but here’s the gist. I love how messy this book is. How I could never expect what I would get on the next page or chapter. It’s all over the place and doesn’t follow a certain plot or fixed timeline, but you can still grasp the essence of the book. I’m not going to say ‘relatable’ because I know Zoe Thorogood hates that term, so I’m just going to say some pages really hit hard. It was a good read, art style is bomb.

Sashi

Claudia Sinclair.

Dang! The rollercoaster emotion, I felt like riding the highest rollercoaster on Earth. I love how the author played with the structure of this graphic novel, and even in some parts, the character felt like breaking the 4th wall just to talk to the reader. Well, considering this one is the memoir so it was a point plus for this graphic novel because I’ve never read something like this one. I need a moment to connect with the narrative but overall it was interesting but also the graphics actually concerning. This book deals with mental illness, loneliness, and the imaginative process. Likewise, I can say this is such the best book for graphic novels that I read so far but wouldn’t suggest it because it might raise some red flags and this book could make you feel uncomfortable.

What this does really well is use the graphic aspect of the format to give a multi-sensory experience of what depression feels like. There is a play with art styles, which is further highlighted by all the visual styles and multiple representations of the author that exist within the book.

The relationship with Izzy was very touching.

What this does really well is use the graphic aspect of the format to give a multi-sensory experience of what depression feels like. There is a play with art styles, which is further highlighted by all the visual styles and multiple representations of the author that exist within the book.

The relationship with Izzy was very touching.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

tw for this book: mention of suicide, self harm, depression, severe social anxiety, panic attacks

this book was so unexpected. absolutely different from anything i’ve ever read before!! the most creative and profound graphic novel yet also humorous in its own way

the author manages to depict dark themes of depression through beautiful and humorous illustrations. the author also uses fourth wall in such a unique yet authentically way where the reader is able to connect with the author. like the book is so self aware of itself that it’s so funny.

i'm so mesmerized by the art! the detail of it all and the author has so many different art styles like THE RANGE

the main character is such a tragic mess and she’s so real for that bc who isn’t a tragic mess

I’m buying this immediately once it comes out

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

tw for this book: mention of suicide, self harm, depression, severe social anxiety, panic attacks

this book was so unexpected. absolutely different from anything i’ve ever read before!! the most creative and profound graphic novel yet also humorous in its own way

the author manages to depict dark themes of depression through beautiful and humorous illustrations. the author also uses fourth wall in such a unique yet authentically way where the reader is able to connect with the author. like the book is so self aware of itself that it’s so funny.

i'm so mesmerized by the art! the detail of it all and the author has so many different art styles like THE RANGE

the main character is such a tragic mess and she’s so real for that bc who isn’t a tragic mess

I’m buying this immediately once it comes out

I love this book. I met Zoe and she is so coollll! It’s very comforting but also really heart wrenching kinda. 

Lindsey Combs

I really don't know what to say as it's all still settling in. Did I like this book, yes. Did I love it, not particularly but that's ok because- Did I enjoy it, in a way no (enjoy is a strange word to use for a book about someone with suicidal thoughts and as much self depreciation as if jam packed in Zoe Thorogood). Did I relate? Sorry. I'm sure Zoe's tired of hearing people relate to her stories. So I won't say one way or the other.

The art and imagery was amazing. I've never seen a graphic memoir made so fantastical. With the big creepy shadow guy always looming. The bugs crawling in her skin. The meta moments thrown in. The animal people. Zoe taking on the different heads, as fitting in the situation. 

Ari Rose

I really don't know what to say as it's all still settling in. Did I like this book, yes. Did I love it, not particularly but that's ok because- Did I enjoy it, in a way no (enjoy is a strange word to use for a book about someone with suicidal thoughts and as much self depreciation as if jam packed in Zoe Thorogood). Did I relate? Sorry. I'm sure Zoe's tired of hearing people relate to her stories. So I won't say one way or the other.

The art and imagery was amazing. I've never seen a graphic memoir made so fantastical. With the big creepy shadow guy always looming. The bugs crawling in her skin. The meta moments thrown in. The animal people. Zoe taking on the different heads, as fitting in the situation. 

It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth

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