It's Kind of a Funny Story
Encyclopedia
It's Kind of a Funny Story is a 2006 novel by American author Ned Vizzini
. It follows a depressed teenager who becomes suicidal
and checks himself into a psychiatric hospital
. The book was inspired by Vizzini's own brief hospitalization for depression in November 2004. The book received recognition as a 2007 Best Book for Young Adults from the American Library Association.
A film adaptation
, directed by Ryan Fleck
and Anna Boden
, was released in the United States on October 8, 2010.
neighborhood. He attends the prestigious Executive Pre-Professional High School, having studied arduously to win admission. Once admitted, however, he becomes overwhelmed by the school's intense academic pressure. His stress eventually manifests itself in an eating disorder, use of marijuana, affected sleep habits, and suicidal thoughts. After he stops taking medication prescribed by his psychiatrist, his depression builds until, unable to fend off his suicidal ideation, he calls 1-800-SUICIDE and is admitted to a nearby psychiatric hospital. He meets many other patients, some friendly, others reclusive or delusional, and is supported and encouraged by his family and school principal once they learn of his hospitalization. Craig meets a female patient, Noelle, who coped with a history of sexual abuse by cutting her face with scissors. In isolation from the outside world, and with help from Noelle, Craig confronts the sources of his anxiety and regains his health. During his recovery, Craig experiments with art, specifically stylized maps, and discovers he has a great deal of natural talent and ability. Once Craig has recovered, his counselor suggests he transfer to an art school, a thought that excites Craig. He returns home at novel's end having undergone a mental "shift".
released a film adaptation directed by Ryan Fleck
and Anna Boden
. The film starred Keir Gilchrist
as Craig, along with Zach Galifianakis
, Emma Roberts
, Zoë Kravitz
and Lauren Graham
. The film received mixed to positive reviews.
Ned Vizzini
Edison Price "Ned" Vizzini is an American writer who is the author of books for young adults. He is best known for his novel Be More Chill. He has been a columnist for the New York Press since his teens.-Life and career:...
. It follows a depressed teenager who becomes suicidal
Suicidal ideation
Suicidal ideation is a common medical term for thoughts about suicide, which may be as detailed as a formulated plan, without the suicidal act itself. Although most people who undergo suicidal ideation do not commit suicide, some go on to make suicide attempts...
and checks himself into a psychiatric hospital
Psychiatric hospital
Psychiatric hospitals, also known as mental hospitals, are hospitals specializing in the treatment of serious mental disorders. Psychiatric hospitals vary widely in their size and grading. Some hospitals may specialise only in short-term or outpatient therapy for low-risk patients...
. The book was inspired by Vizzini's own brief hospitalization for depression in November 2004. The book received recognition as a 2007 Best Book for Young Adults from the American Library Association.
A film adaptation
It's Kind of a Funny Story (film)
It's Kind of a Funny Story is a 2010 comedy-drama film written and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, an adaptation of Ned Vizzini's 2006 novel of the same name. The film stars Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galifianakis, Emma Roberts, and Viola Davis...
, directed by Ryan Fleck
Ryan Fleck
Ryan K. Fleck is an American film director, cinematographer, editor, and screenwriter best known for directing and writing the 2006 film Half Nelson and the 2008 film Sugar. He is known for his collaborations with fellow filmmaker Anna Boden.-Life and career:Fleck was born in Berkeley, California...
and Anna Boden
Anna Boden
Anna Boden is an American film director, cinematographer, editor, and screenwriter best known as the co-writer of the 2006 film Half Nelson. She is known for her collaborations with fellow filmmaker Ryan Fleck.- Life and career :...
, was released in the United States on October 8, 2010.
Synopsis
Craig, the narrator, is 15, and lives with his family in an upper-middle class BrooklynBrooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
neighborhood. He attends the prestigious Executive Pre-Professional High School, having studied arduously to win admission. Once admitted, however, he becomes overwhelmed by the school's intense academic pressure. His stress eventually manifests itself in an eating disorder, use of marijuana, affected sleep habits, and suicidal thoughts. After he stops taking medication prescribed by his psychiatrist, his depression builds until, unable to fend off his suicidal ideation, he calls 1-800-SUICIDE and is admitted to a nearby psychiatric hospital. He meets many other patients, some friendly, others reclusive or delusional, and is supported and encouraged by his family and school principal once they learn of his hospitalization. Craig meets a female patient, Noelle, who coped with a history of sexual abuse by cutting her face with scissors. In isolation from the outside world, and with help from Noelle, Craig confronts the sources of his anxiety and regains his health. During his recovery, Craig experiments with art, specifically stylized maps, and discovers he has a great deal of natural talent and ability. Once Craig has recovered, his counselor suggests he transfer to an art school, a thought that excites Craig. He returns home at novel's end having undergone a mental "shift".
Characters
- Craig Gilner: protagonist and narrator, 15, suffers from depression, attends Executive Pre-Professional.
- Sarah Gilner: Craig's little sister.
- Aaron Pardis: Craig's best friend, 15, also attends Executive Pre-Professional, boyfriend to Nia
- Nia: Aaron's girlfriend and the object of Craig's unrequited affection, suffers from depression, attends Executive Pre-Professional
- Dr. Minerva: Craig's psychiatrist
- Noelle: Patient at the psychiatric hospital, becomes Craig's first girlfriend.
- Muqtada: Craig's Egyptian roommate at the psychiatric hospital
- Bobby: a patient at the hospital, with whom Craig develops a mentorship bond.
- Jennifer/Charles: A transsexual patient.
- Johnny: Bobby's best friend, a patient at the psychiatric hospital
- Ebony: a patient at the psychiatric hospital, enjoys Craig's art
- Humble: Craig's first friend at the hospital, takes the most medication.
- Armelio:Character obsessed with playing cards
Film adaptation
In 2010, Focus FeaturesFocus Features
Focus Features is the art house films division of NBC Universal's Universal Pictures, and acts as both a producer and distributor for its own films and a distributor for foreign films....
released a film adaptation directed by Ryan Fleck
Ryan Fleck
Ryan K. Fleck is an American film director, cinematographer, editor, and screenwriter best known for directing and writing the 2006 film Half Nelson and the 2008 film Sugar. He is known for his collaborations with fellow filmmaker Anna Boden.-Life and career:Fleck was born in Berkeley, California...
and Anna Boden
Anna Boden
Anna Boden is an American film director, cinematographer, editor, and screenwriter best known as the co-writer of the 2006 film Half Nelson. She is known for her collaborations with fellow filmmaker Ryan Fleck.- Life and career :...
. The film starred Keir Gilchrist
Keir Gilchrist
Keir David Peters Gilchrist is a Canadian actor. Gilchrist is known for playing teen Marshall Gregson on Showtime's original series United States of Tara, and for starring in the 2010 drama-comedy It's Kind of a Funny Story....
as Craig, along with Zach Galifianakis
Zach Galifianakis
Zachary Knight "Zach" Galifianakis is an American stand-up comedian and actor known for his numerous film and television appearances including his own Comedy Central Presents special...
, Emma Roberts
Emma Roberts
Emma Rose Roberts is an American actress, model and singer. She is the daughter of actor Eric Roberts and niece of Julia Roberts. Roberts became known for her role as Addie Singer in the Nickelodeon television series Unfabulous. She released her debut album, which also served as the show's...
, Zoë Kravitz
Zoe Kravitz
Zoë Isabella Kravitz is an American actress, singer and model. She is the daughter of musician Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet. She has appeared in the films The Brave One with Jodie Foster, and No Reservations with Catherine Zeta-Jones...
and Lauren Graham
Lauren Graham
Lauren Helen Graham is an American actress and producer. She is best known for playing Lorelai Gilmore on the WB Network dramedy series Gilmore Girls and Sarah Braverman on Parenthood.-Early life:...
. The film received mixed to positive reviews.