I don't know how to properly rate this because I've been quite ill whilst reading it and so perhaps haven't been able to appreciate it properly? I enjoyed it mostly, but I don't know that it could be described as 'horror', more psychological and weird lol. I could have done without the horrible treatment of Infelix, that was upsetting. An interesting read, and one I wonder if I would have followed better had I been in better health? I'm always up for completely new styles of storytelling.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC :)

An interesting, genre-bending book, very ambitious. One to return to, be interesting to see what Joan writes next.

Phenomenally weird, scary, and heartbreaking. Marc Joan is an incredibly talented author to look out for in future.

Feverishly engrossing and lovingly rendered on the page, this graphic novel is impossible to ignore. Moment to moment, it drags the reader along relentlessly into the stories of its characters, weaving a narrative at once outlandish and relatable.

Phillipe has to come to terms with mental illness he vaguely acknowledges. All he knows is that he used to be able to create beautiful art, and now his wife has taken that away from him because the pills she insists he take stunts his creativity. To make matters worse, he suspects his wife is having an affair with a coworker. All the while, he tries to maintain a comic book store he owns.

It was the cover that drew me to this novel first, then the title. This seemed like it was something I would enjoy because of my love for comic books. What took me by surprise was how this story was told. It is as if Phillipe is holding a comic book version of his life and he describes the panels, the font, the ink, textures, and colors as they change based on his emotions and the people around him. It was a unique reading experience that has stuck with me.

The pace is quick and the scenes where Phillipe is interacting with others are short but filled with suspicious tension. The author chooses to hone in on the paranoia and the increasingly shocking dreams that Phillipe starts to have when he does away with his medication. Some stuff here is not for the faint of heart!

Despite the tragedy that is beset on all sides for Phillipe from the beginning, I was thoroughly entertained and laughed a few times too.

This was not the one for me. I started it and it just wasn’t hooked. Got to the end and it wasn’t for me.

I found myself taking multiple breaks while reading this, which I think is due to the writing style and the brain power I needed to understand…that being said I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and I came to appreciate the writing. I recommend if you have a large vocabulary and want so see a man spiral into mania

I really enjoyed this one for what it was - watching someone slip into madness in a very chaotic way.

This book made me feel normal, and that's saying something. I can't think of any books that are exactly like this but if you enjoyed reading One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest or watching Requiem For A Dream, this one might work for you!

**Thank you to NetGalley and Deixis Press for the eARC of this whacky title!**

I enjoyed this book. It’s funny how it was able to stick with me. I started reading this book Back in Oct, got away from reading for quite some time yet I still had this book with me when I picked it back up to finish it.

A tragic story of paranoia. This tale of horror is about the psychological degradation of a man whose mental illness controls him. It’s harrowing and hits close to home for those with disorders like anxiety and paranoid schizophrenia. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I also needed a break from heavy books after reading it.

Not overly horrific, but just enough for great entertainment. It gets creepy and odd and weird at times.
It becomes bleak. It's a little on the slow pace side but I think that adds to the story.
Recommended.

From the bit I read, it seemed well written and like it would work into some seriously creepy territory, but I could not get into it for the life of me. The cadence and writing style just couldn't hold my attention. No shade to the book because I'm sure it's just not personally my cup of tea.

This book was hit and miss, the plot kept me reading. I found myself spacing out during some of the book and needing to take multiple breaks to get it finished.

You want something different, something to make your skin crawl and get you thinking?

Read. This. Book.

Thank you NetGalley and Deixis Press for access to this ARC!
Philippe and his wife Marilyne are two "non-Normals" trying to pass through life until Philippe's inheritance comes through. The novel acts as a comic book of Philippe's life, we see his general decline as his mental illness turns him against his wife and those around her.
Let me start off by saying WOW.
I love love love this book. It is so deranged and smart and creative.
There is something to like in all of the characters, even though Philippe's eventual descent into madness paints them as deceitful and unlikable (we take it with a grain of salt of course because Philippe is also unlikable).
I love the occasional mentions of "The Book," reminding you that the book you're reading is the one Philippe is referring to. The constant employment of comic book terms, like the fonts certainly words would be in or the ink colours, really sell the book.
The ending is so well-crafted, but you can see it coming (which is a GOOD THING). There are enough hints as it boils over to predict what's going to happen which makes it all the sweeter (or bitter) when Philippe puts everything together.
I would definitely recommend this to horror fans and those who love deep psychological stuff and unlikable main characters.

The Cartoon Life and Loves of a Stupid Man tells the tale of an already unbalanced man, Phillipe, the son of a pharmaceutical giant, and prescribed one of the psychiatric pills created by his father. The medication has dampened his artistic abilities, and at times he feels inadequate compared to his wife, a cardiac surgeon. The novel tells of his slow descent into paranoia and unreality.

Literally attracted to the book by its cover, it’s not at all what I’d expected to be reading. It’s a slow burn of a story, well written and plotted, and progressively claustrophobic. I was totally sucked into the book, and had to tear myself away last night in order to go to sleep.

The novel isn’t for everyone. It’s definitely not light reading. But for those who like literary novels with an edge, it’s definitely worth reading.

My thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing an ARC of the book.

Phillipe is the owner of a comic bookstore, who suffers from an unnamed mental illness. His wife, a successful surgeon, is adamant that a medication developed by Phillipe's own father is the only way to treat his ailment. Phillipe himself hates taking the medication, as it robs the world of it's vividness and leaves him uninspired. When his wife starts spending more and more time with one of her colleagues, Phillipe starts to believe that she is having an affair, which sends Phillipe spiraling into paranoia and madness.

What initially drew me to this book was the cover art. I love books that are different and I definitely got something along those lines with this one. I'm not sure if I would call this book pure horror, it's rather along the lines of absurdity. There are many odd behaviors displayed by all characters, and not all of them seem to have a reason or explanation.

As per usual, I have to point out the animal abuse. For as long as I've been reading and reviewing books, I have never gotten over that particular trigger and never will. Give me all the gore and death, but please leave the fur babies alone.

Overall, its a very intriguing and almost feverdream like novel. Nothing is as it seems, and I'm still not sure if the main protagonist was telling the truth about everything that happened, including his share of his father's company he was supposed to receive.

Thank you to NetGalley and Deixis Press for the opportunity to read rate and review this arc which will be available November 28,2023!

This was a literal descent into madness. It was a fun read but at times confusing. So confusing and disjointed I kinda got taken out of the story

3.5 stars

This one is dark and disturbing and so well written. It is a slow burn, but it needs to be this way in order to develop that uncomfortable and unsettling feeling.

It really does take on mental illness very well in my opinion. It is going to hit hard for some though.

Overall I really liked this, even though it did take a small toll on me emotionally.

This is one of those novels that really defy genre expectations. It's intriguing, creepy in some instances, and very well written but it's not overtly horrific in the traditional sense. That doesn't mean it's not worth reading, though, because it really is.

If you wanted to break it down to its most basic premise, this book is about a man suffering a mental crisis and starts to develop all encompassing, ever increasing paranoi once he stops taking his medication.

But that's not really sufficient in describing the whys and hows and therein is the meat of this novel. It's a kaleidoscope journey told from the perspective of the man in question and situations occur that his mind interprets as personal attacks against him from his wife and others.

This slow deterioration will eventually lead to a landslide of paranoid delusions which will result in the unthinkable.

This book is by no means about a psychopath or sociopath. It's not especially bloody or violent. But it builds this creepy disturbing vibe over the course of the story and makes you feel uncomfortable. Sometimes for reasons that can't quite be explained.

I recommend this book for those who want a quieter and slowly unsettling horror read. You'll find a lot in here to enjoy.