Vizzini’s Influence
Ned Vizzini, author of the novel It’s Kind Of A Funny Story, among others works, was a successful author of multiple young adult pieces. Specifically in his novel It’s Kind Of A Funny
Story, Vizzini’s life experiences shine through to create a piece of influential media concerning areas of mental health, therapy, and medication in a refreshing realistic yet hopeful and light manner. Vizzini’s story, although impactful, has a sad ending. It starts on April 4, 1981, in
Brooklyn, New York. His writing career started at the young age of 15, with his essay published in the New York Times. His first novel was published when he was 19, and his career took off from there. It’s Kind Of A Funny Story was a book he published in 2006, …show more content…
This novel has an impact, because although it didn’t end perfectly for the author, he provided a hopeful message and realistic situation many teens have to battle through. He used his life to help others. Throughout the novel, there are references to how family, therapy, and medication can help. It gives a positive view on reaching out for help, and how although it can be uncomfortable and strange, it's the best thing to do. In my own experience, many books about these topics are normally written in a less than hopeful tone, more angry, sad, shocking, or revengeful than anything. Authors also tend to, intentionally or not, create characters that are only defined as their mental illness. This is a huge issue, because even in real life, people with mental illness often feel marginalized or defined by their illness. Ned Vizzini gave a recount of a bleak story and wrote it in a way that showed it wasn’t something to be shown as shocking or uncommon as to elicit a response - it’s a thing people have to deal with, and it isn’t anyone’s whole identity. The main character, Craig Gilner, has a seemingly normal life. He has a supporting family, a couple of decent friends, and is just overwhelmed by school. Through
Ned Vizzini, author of the novel It’s Kind Of A Funny Story, among others works, was a successful author of multiple young adult pieces. Specifically in his novel It’s Kind Of A Funny
Story, Vizzini’s life experiences shine through to create a piece of influential media concerning areas of mental health, therapy, and medication in a refreshing realistic yet hopeful and light manner. Vizzini’s story, although impactful, has a sad ending. It starts on April 4, 1981, in
Brooklyn, New York. His writing career started at the young age of 15, with his essay published in the New York Times. His first novel was published when he was 19, and his career took off from there. It’s Kind Of A Funny Story was a book he published in 2006, …show more content…
This novel has an impact, because although it didn’t end perfectly for the author, he provided a hopeful message and realistic situation many teens have to battle through. He used his life to help others. Throughout the novel, there are references to how family, therapy, and medication can help. It gives a positive view on reaching out for help, and how although it can be uncomfortable and strange, it's the best thing to do. In my own experience, many books about these topics are normally written in a less than hopeful tone, more angry, sad, shocking, or revengeful than anything. Authors also tend to, intentionally or not, create characters that are only defined as their mental illness. This is a huge issue, because even in real life, people with mental illness often feel marginalized or defined by their illness. Ned Vizzini gave a recount of a bleak story and wrote it in a way that showed it wasn’t something to be shown as shocking or uncommon as to elicit a response - it’s a thing people have to deal with, and it isn’t anyone’s whole identity. The main character, Craig Gilner, has a seemingly normal life. He has a supporting family, a couple of decent friends, and is just overwhelmed by school. Through