The Cartoon Life and Loves of a Stupid Man

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.

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.

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

Read. This. Book.

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.

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.

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.

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!**

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.

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.