I loved the art styles and the way the author utilized it to present their story. This memoir was enjoyable from the perspective of a depressed person (ie. me). I would definitely read more of her works in the future.

It's tough to get through this one. As the author says, there are aspects of mental illness that make you feel narcissistic, and unable to get out of your own head. I was lucky to have some cautionary people in my life with some of my same issues, and I knew very clearly who I refused to be because of them. Seeing my worst qualities reflected in others can be sobering.

So, yes, it's tough to read about someone who doesn't discuss treatment, because it's hard at times not to agree with someone who keeps telling you they are a collection of negative qualities and then doesn't have a growing collection of coping mechanisms to improve their quality of life. But it's also important to recognize how many people, especially in their teens and twenties, do feel this way, and it DOES feel too overwhelming to even begin to try to cope with.

Anyway, it was an interesting read, with interesting art.

Dear Zoe Thorogood,
In general I hope you don't read your reviews because nobody should read the reviews of their work. But I hope you read my review because I want you to know how much your book made me feel in places that I thought could no longer feel.

Your book makes me wish I could give it 6 stars. It makes me wish there was some way to put my review in illuminated gold leaf lettering with tiny birds and curious monsters all creeping around the edges of the words, to underscore just how important this book has suddenly become to me. In the last twelve hours I have gone from never having heard of you or this book, to gobbling down your book in one extended sitting - a sort of fever dream, to now loving it so much that I want it to hurry up and come out in physical copy so that I can buy it, already.

I don't often wax this lyrical about books, but this one touched something inside me. Actually, it reached in and got its claws caught on something and then, suddenly afraid of what it had done, it yanked back which only made me feel more suddenly interconnected with it and terrified that it would run away, so then we wrapped our arms around one another and comforted both each other and ourselves in regards to how big and empty and scary the world is, but also how small and delicate that this book and I could have come across one another in this moment when I needed it most.

P.S. To other people reading this review: If this all sounds like I'm still in that fever dream, that's because I am, a bit. This book makes you think this way. I can't explain it. Just read it, or fall into it and swim through it, as I did.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

"It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth" is a memoir by British artist/cartoonist Zoe Thorogood about six months of her life as she grapples with her depression and self sabotage. Really incredible art, combining multiple art styles within her meta-narrative and she excels at all of them. I don't want to say it's relatable, a term that the author has heard so many times it no longer means anything, but I feel empathy towards her as someone who can see what it's like to live through depression in the 21st century. Thorogood is an immense talent and this was really good

I’ve been sitting with this for about an hour since I’ve read it. Normally I would go straight into a review immediately after I read something, but this comic had me needing some time for introspection. This comic is so good in a way that it hurts. I can fangirl over the art and how unique the layouts and the creativity of how Zoe uses her art to show her perspective of the world, but after reading I feel it cuts so much deeper.

A big part of my life I have had an issue with not going through with my goals and sticking with them the way I want to. Worried that I won’t succeed even if I try, but I can’t succeed if I never try at all. My depression and anxiety stopped me along the way many times. However, Zoe has the depression even with her success. Her depression doesn’t go away and that’s scary to me. Its scary to me that I can possibly become successful and realize I’m still just sad old me.

Reading this comic feels like looking into an alternate universe and looking at myself and seeing that it’s not the outside stuff that is the problem all the time making me sad, but maybe the problem is me. That makes me very uncomfortable.

What’s even crazier to me is Zoe is basically the same age as me. She suffers a similar introspective anxiety and self-depreciation that I also feels and yet she already has experienced so much success. Success that doesn’t even feel like it reaches her as being real, because she doesn’t feel real. I want to be happy for her and root for her and yet the more I think about it the more I realize I am pretty bummed about my own mental situation and this was too real for me.

Zoe shared feelings and personal stories that are so personal to her and simply are what they are. It sucks to feel like she feels and I’ve been there myself. I get scared that I’ll never leave that state of mind. Yet I do know I can be happy and have been happy. This comic it just reminded me of what a thought spiral for me is like. I understand why this has a trigger warning.

All in all, this is a comic that I could see myself returning to again and again. Even if it’s just to sit in that headspace and see something I’ve felt be shared in art form. I hope that Zoe improves and finds her own definition of what happiness would be for her. I hope I also do the same for myself.

a well illustrated story about depression and mental health through different stages of life, that really brings into perspective what people can go through and live with day to day. It's a realistic, sappy depiction that although was hard to read at some times ( due to subject matter) , I think is still an important read.

Wow I really loved this art style. I'm not sure what it is, but it fell close to my heart and more raw than some other more polished styles. The writing is deep and touching and I feel for the character/author and can relate in some aspects. The "story" itself isn't always linear and I feel like that makes more sense for this telling. It makes fun of itself while also being real and impactful. The changes of the character's design depending upon the scene/forced perception makes sense to me and is something I've never seen before. It's like masking within a graphic novel. I really enjoyed this!

Unflinching look at depression and suicidal ideation that is frequently a challenging read. Despite that, Thorogood's art and its varying styles are so compelling I found myself rereading parts over and over again. I like that the book also anticipates and pushes back against the stereotypical responses to those with depression.

I really enjoyed Zoe Thorogood's art and the various styles represented in this graphic novel. It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth felt deeply personal as it told Thorogood's life as she navigates her mental health journey. The mental tug-a-war described by Thorogood is relatable to many and that is the biggest take away from this auto-bio-graphic novel. There isn't much of a plot and we follow Thorogood as life unfolds.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this advanced reader copy!

This was excellently done. As someone who has struggled with mental illness of my own, this was “relatable” and allowed me to feel seen. I feel like Zoe may have a touch of ADHD as well cuz this totally gave ADHD vibes. Absolutely loved it.

I’m glad you wrote this, Zoe Thorogood.

This was a thought provoking read. I enjoyed the stream of consciousness throughout the book, I felt it helped the story flow well. I liked the stylised illustrations.

It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth is a stirring and creative meditation on depression, creativity, and life itself. Thoroughgood's work is both intensely personal and yet incredibly familiar to those who have fought with their own giant depression demon. Her illustrations are beautiful and the sheer creative force behind this book is stunning, to say the least. Definitely worth reading (and re-reading)!

Thanks to Netgalley and Image Comics for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am really glad I got the opportunity to read this book through NetGalley.

This book is an amazing piece of art. The author shows you depression feels like. She clearly has a case imposter syndrome (not sure if this name is correct tbh). It is amazing how you can feel everything through the pages and the way it the storyline is presented is quite original.

In the beginning I was a bit apprehensive but as I got into it and understood a little bit better the point of it sit was a really good read.

I would recommend picking this one up for sure. You won’t be wasting your time ☺️

"Maybe I’d be dead if not for this. But instead I’m going to make something that didn’t exist before. And I think that’s beautiful."

This was a beautiful, unflinching (and at many times self-deprecating) look inside of the mind of the author/illustrator and her journey with mental health/depression.

As a fellow writer, it was particularly poignant reading about how Covid cancelled her first book tour and threw her into the pits of isolation.

It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth is certainly a heavy read, but also hopeful and powerful. I will definitely be on the lookout for more of Zoe's work!

"Someone, somewhere, right now is being impacted by your existence—whether good or bad. That’s what I choose to believe this is all about. Not connection—but how we affect each other. Even at a distance."

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CW: depression, suicidal ideation

Arc received by the Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
#ItsLonelyattheCentreoftheEarth #NetGalley

Wow! This graphic novel was incredibly raw and explores relatable themes of depression, lonliness and self-worth. Zoe is very open, unapologetic, and direct in how she approaches her narrative and speaks about her own journey with crippling depression. Readers please be aware, this has many direct references to su*c*de so check the trigger warnings and read with care.

Zoe's illustrative style is beautiful and abstract, and she is a master at using the pen to visually express emotion. I was captivated for the whole book and invested in her story and relationships explored along the way.

I'll absolutely be checking out Zoe's other works! Also she plays The Binding of Isaac? I'm an instant fan <3

As an aside, I felt some similarities with the story telling in Allie Brosh's 'Hyperbole and a Half' and think that readers who enjoyed her books will love this one also.

Thank you NetGalley and Image Comics for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

A ridiculously talented artist. Thorogood’s story is intensely personal, and it must have taken a lot to put this out there for the world. Her characterisation of depression is masterful, and overall I think this is an incredibly important piece of work. Thank you to NetGalley and ImageComics for the privilege.

Holy hot damn. I read this while listening to the Into the Trees album by Zoë Keating and it might have nearly been a religious experience. There's something just so excruciating about the relatability of this memoir/story

Stunning art and deeply engrossing story. Zoe Thorogood has mastered personal storytelling. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and enjoy this beautiful and touching piece of art.

In this autobiographical comic, Thorogood details her life as an illustrator going to comics conventions, trying to break into the industry, her attempts at romantic relationships, and her struggles with her depression. She goes far outside her comfort zone and decides to meet an online friend in person, which requires traveling from England to California. The two become romantic partners, but Zoe is very conflicted because the man is still infatuated with his previous partner, and he has children who don't accept her. During the months this comic takes place, the COVID pandemic begins, so isolation makes projects difficult and cancels some of Thorogood's planned appearances. She struggles with going to conventions and imposter syndrome, feeling like her illustrations are not worthy of the praise she receives from fans who visit her booth.
It's always hard to judge autobiographical comics because they are so deeply personal, but for me, this comic was a little too stream-of-consciousness and thus disjointed. It does have some authentic voicing, and its depiction of depression is heartbreaking and accurate. There are definitely readers who will feel seen reading this comic, and it deserves a place on shelves serving an older population. Zoe is a young adult in the comic, and she doesn't hold back from difficult topics such as suicidal ideation, drug use, and sex.

Sara's Rating: 6/10
Suitability Level: Adult

It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth's art styles varied throughout, and most were engaging in coloring/style/font. I liked how the art reflects Zoe's change in mood/mindset. Overall, the art is promising, but this graphic novel definitely wasn't for me. The art overall had no through-line and felt very discombobulated. Unfortunately, this graphic novel was frustrating to read and doesn't add anything to our understanding. There is very little plot, and the narrator is incredibly unsympathetic. The novel tries to be self-aware, but self-awareness does not absolve the clear flaws. Especially with the negativity surrounding mental illness in the book, I can't see recommending this to someone who is struggling.