Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

If you are someone who has struggled with depression, with your self-worth and confidence, and trying to find meaning through art, this is a tough read. I will admit, I had to take breaks reading this novel, mostly because I didn't feel like I was reading a novel, but rather looking into a mirror. To use the dreaded word of the hour, a lot of what Zoe went through IS relatable. Her struggles with her depression, her struggles with her suicidal ideation, and her struggles with her art. This novel is real, it's raw, and at times uncomfortable. Her art is visually stunning and the mixture of styles and even inclusion of photography elements is gorgeous. Her full-page illustrations are impactful and wonderful to look at. I had not heard of her other words before reading this, but I will be seeking them out.

Not a book or topic I need in my life any longer, but I can appreciate the art and creative decisions made in this book.

An introspective, at times unnerving and ultimately (for me) relatable (ha!) peek inside the mind of someone flailing, swimming and trying not to drown inside their mind. I appreciate this book, and the fact that it exists, immensely.

This was a bit of a mixed bag for me - some parts were lovely or deeply relatable, but there were many parts that lost me with the absurdity. I definitely interested in more by this author.

How do you review an autobio comic that makes it clear that the author hates to be perceived without feeling like a jerk? Proceed on the assumption that they also like to be paid for their work and the review machine is a very small part of that? Hmm.

Anyway, this good - timely, stylish, weird. I read a lot of autobio comics in the early 2000's and this feels similar, but modernized. It has the painful, intellectualized self-awareness that seems to be one of the hallmarks of the latest generation of young writers. If that sounds like I'm being pretentious (maybe?) or that it might be a tedious exercise in navel-gazing be assured: It has the style and craft to pull it off. Really knows how to use comics as a form, which is a delight to see. Very curious to see how that craft is applied in the author's fiction; if it's a as good as this I think I'll like that even more.

a very meta narrative, but most of the book feels like the author gearing up for the book to start. interesting mixed media at times. not bringing much else interesting to the table.

It is, at points, a disorienting mess, but anyone who has been through a depressive episode and come out the other end can tell you that “disorienting mess” is often an accurate summation of what someone’s reasoning and rationality is like while in the grips of Depression.

What a rollercoaster. I really loved the way she mixed certain panels with real photos. It feels weird giving a review of someone's life. So I'm not going to. And I'm certainly not going to use the word "relatable." I can say as someone who has experienced depression, that this does allow a small peak into what it is like.

Zoe Thorogood is a fantastic artist, but this autobiography may have come too prematurely in her career. Although the first third of It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth reads fairly smoothly, the latter parts are quite disjointed. The narrative become circular as the author spirals, which while offering a raw look at depression, anxiety, and the myriad pressures of life in one's youth, comes off as navel-gazing when put in perspective with Thorogood's body of work.

It has taken me a while to gather my thoughts here.. I found it a little disjointed and difficult to follow but maybe that’s intentional as it represents the tangled thoughts that are difficult to decipher when one is struggling with depression. . The artwork was unique and compelling and I could relate to much of her experience. It’s a brave, honest piece of work of which she should be very proud. I’m sure many will find comfort and feel a little less alone I’m fighting this battle.

I will be buying myself and everyone else I know a copy of this. It is such a raw insight of life. Not just as an artist.
I needed this without even realizing it.

I liked how It’s ‘Lonely at the Centre of the Earth’ covers so many aspects of the author’s depression as well as other peoples experiences of it.
It is a very expansive read and the artwork is beautifully done to reflect the text and sentiments of the book.

A graphic novel memoir about the authors struggle with depression. I absolutely love the art style of this! So creative! I enjoyed the 4th wall breaks. Kind of gave me Donnie Darko vibes.

This graphic novel is a reflection on depression, graphic memoirs, exposing your vulnerabilities, surviving, being real vs being "good", what being an artist is, what it means to expose your weaknesses and pain...
The illustrations and composition of the pages is beautiful. The work deserves to exist, it very much does... but it did remind me of zines that used to be published at uni where students talk about their "experiences" and everything is grainy and dirty and a little yuck.
It made me feel so very sad for Zoe, who looks so very lost in those pages. It is good to see some messages of hope, but why do they feel so less real, and targeted to the reader, but the author won't take her own advice?
Can't say I enjoyed the read, but then again, that's not the point. I think being relatable is the key here. But my flavour of depression and anxiety is very different, so while I very much empathise, this was all foreign to me.
I look forward to seeing reflections from the author when she will be a little older, and she "finds" something that can ground her, maybe in her mid 30s or 40s...

I really enjoyed this book, at times it hit way too close to home. I like how the ending shows the mc still has a bit of hope left for her future :)

As always, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!!

as much as i loved the story and i felt like i can see myself in zoe a bit, and the art is good sometimes but sometimes i feel like it’s kind of disorganized in some pits that it made my eyes hurt but nonetheless i loved how she conveyed her feelings

Zoe Thorogood was the artist for a comic series called Rain which I loved. When I saw this I just had to read it. Great concept and characters.

Posted on Goodreads:

First, thank you to the author, image comics and netgalley for allowing me to read an ebook for this masterpiece.

TW: unaliving, depression

I can't help but thank Zoe for creating this work of perfection. There are reasons as to why people with mental health issues do not come forward. And the 1 star rate review is a good example to why.

This graphic novel follows Zoe for six months and her deep troubles with unaliving and severe depression. This was so raw, real and heavy and accurately represented what it's like to be in that mindset. I saw myself from 25 years ago in these pages. The lurking monster always there, the self deprecating thoughts, the knowing you're close and you're afraid of that, the parents that just don't fully understand the full scope of what's going on.

The artwork was fantastic and truly captured the chaotic stream of conscious that can take over.

I need to buy a copy for myself. I need it in my library.

Favorite quote: "Life is merely a collection of good and bad experiences loosely held together by the void in between-and that void is your space to mold, a space to harness and create in. Just be careful not to get stuck there."

Zeo Thorogood documents six months of her life. The result is a meditation on depression and how it informs and deforms every aspect of your life.

There were times when her depiction of depression was—as the running joke in the book goes—“relatable”. Other times what she managed to capture on the page was terrifying. There are aspects of depression that I still hide from people, not necessarily because of what they will think of me, but because of how they will worry about me.

And yet, Thorogood manages to capture this in all its horrific detail. There is an admirable bravery in doing this.

I’d recommend this book for anyone that has a loved on that suffers from depression. But be warned, this is not the sanitized version of depression that you usually get—enough so that you understand, but not enough so that you are freaked out. This gets at how truly horrendous it is to have to live with, negotiate with, be entangled with overwhelming depression.

I don’t think I’ve ever read a book more open and honest than this.

This was one of the most heartfelt books I have ever read. I also struggle with depression and I felt so genuinely seen while reading this. The way the author loses train of thought and sense of timelines while confronting their feelings; I related to that sensation immensely. The art felt like seeing myself, my brain displayed through someone else's eyes. This was brilliant and it gave me hope for the future. I feel less alone after reading this.