This is a really tough book to review.

On the one hand, I found Tendler's writing to be engaging and easy to read. I appreciated her voice and perspective in many ways. I did not expect this to be a hit piece about John Mulaney, so I wasn't disappointed or resentful that it wasn't. I am someone who knew little about Tendler until the pandemic, and most of what I did know prior to reading this is the incredible self portraits she took during that time. She is clearly a gifted artist and creative person. I will continue to support and admire her work.

On the other, I appreciate the perspective of someone like Nathan Shuherk who has critiqued the book for giving a platform to someone to write about mental health simply for staying in a mental hospital for 9 days. He argues that to anyone else, this wouldn't result in a book deal, and may actually cause more harm than good given it doesn't address systemic issues with how mental health and disability are addressed in this country. I can very much see and understand that viewpoint.